Coastal areas in Central Luzon may sink due to climate change —expert

A climate change expert on Wednesday warned that coastal areas in Central Luzon will be submerged when the sea level rises as predicted by international group Climate Central.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, National Panel of Experts-Climate Change Commission chairperson CP David said the sea level has risen by 20 centimeters in the last two decades.

“Because of the melting of the polar ice caps, from the last 100 years tumaas na ‘yung sea level natin, on average, around 30 centimeters. In the last 20 years, baka tumaas siya ng 20 centimeters [of] the whole 30 centimeters,” he explained.

Research by Climate Central found that many areas around the world will be submerged by 2050 if sea levels continue to rise. 

The areas in the Philippines facing the greatest risk are the coastal areas in Pampanga, Bulacan, and Bataan.

“They have to move further inland dahil ‘yung baha ay magiging mas matingkad at mas madalas. Kung hihintayin natin na nandiyan na ‘yung problema, ‘yung band-aid solution ay mas mahal doon sa long-term planning,” David said.

The climate change expert also warned against the dangers of rising global temperatures.

“Tina-try nating hindi lumampas ng 1.5 degrees [temperature] change,” David said.

“Sa taya ng mga scientist, ‘pag umabot ng 2 degrees increase in temperature, it’s a ‘no turning back’ scenario. Irreversible. ‘Yung mga nasa island nations in the tropical region ang pinaka-apektado sa climate change. Kasama tayo dun,” he added.

However, David recognized that the Philippines is more aware of the problem compared to other nations, citing the “concerted efforts” to combat climate change from the government and private sector. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News