Climate Change Commission - Philippines

Fourth Consultation Series on Vulnerability Assessment Tools on Climate Change

Coastal areas in both developing and more industrialized economies face a range of risks related to climate change and variability (IPCC 2007a). Potential risks include accelerated sea level rise, increase in sea surface temperatures, intensification of tropical and extra tropical cyclones, extreme waves and storm surges, altered precipitation and runoff, and ocean acidification (Nicholls et al. 2007).

Accelerated rise in sea level poses as a threat to the Philippines’ coastal communities, spread over 32,289 km stretch of coastline. Coastal and marine ecosystems are very vital to the Philippines – serving as a base for human settlements, hosting a number of major industrial, commercial, social and recreational activities. About 63% of the country’s provinces as well as two-thirds of its municipalities are located in coastal zones. The vulnerability of the coastal and marine sector is not well studied; there is currently a lack of scientific information on vulnerability and adaptation technologies. To be able to provide appropriate and effective adaptation to climate change, we need to understand the impact of climate change to the coastal and marine sector.

P R O G R A M M E

24 October 2011
Mabini Social Hall, Malacanang Compound, San Miguel, Manila