Climate change: Philippines's coastal communities battle rising sea levels

Summary

Ariel Cortez, a fisherman in Manila Bay, struggles with the harsh realities of climate change. As sea levels rise (12.13mm/year, four times the global average), his community faces the threat of submersion. Despite the Philippines contributing less than 1% to global emissions, it's among the most vulnerable to climate impacts. President Duterte calls for wealthy nations to honor their commitments to climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building in developing countries, viewing it as a moral obligation.

Takeaways

• 🎣 Ariel Cortez is a fisherman from a coastal village in Manila Bay who is considering moving due to the hardships of fishing.
• 🌊 The fishermen have to venture further out to sea to catch fish, requiring larger boats and more fuel.
• 🏡 Over 2,000 families in Manila Bay rely on fishing, and many have raised their homes to cope with rising sea levels.
• 📈 The sea level in Manila Bay is rising at 12-13 millimeters per year, which is four times the global average.
• 🌍 The Philippines contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
• 💹 The country is calling for financial support from wealthier nations to implement climate change mitigation plans.
• 🌱 President Rodrigo Duterte emphasizes that developed nations have a moral obligation to assist developing countries in climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building.
• 🔄 Duterte points out that the rich continue business as usual while the poor struggle to catch up, widening the gap.
• 🌿 Ariel Cortez may not understand climate change science but experiences its effects daily, highlighting the disconnect between understanding and lived reality.

Q & A

What is the main occupation of Ariel Cortez?

Ariel Cortez is a fisherman, having grown up and started his own family in a coastal village in Manila Bay.

Why is life becoming harder for Ariel Cortez?

Life is becoming harder because the fish are getting harder to catch, requiring him to go further out to sea for longer periods, which necessitates a bigger boat that consumes more fuel, leaving less profit.

How many families live in the part of Manila Bay mentioned in the script?

More than 2,000 families live in the part of Manila Bay mentioned in the script, and almost all of them are dependent on fishing for their livelihood.

What is the reported impact of climate change on the sea level in Manila Bay?

The sea level in Manila Bay is rising, with residents having to raise the floors in their homes to avoid being submerged.

How much is the sea level rising in Manila Bay per year?

The sea level in Manila Bay is rising by 12.13 millimeters per year, which is four times higher than the global average.

What is the global average sea level rise mentioned in the script?

The global average sea level rise is a little bit higher than three millimeters per year.

What is the Philippines' contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions?

The Philippines accounts for less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Why is financial support from wealthy countries important for the Philippines?

Financial support from wealthy countries is essential for the Philippines to deliver on their climate plans, as they are among the countries most at risk from the impacts of climate change.

What does President Rodrigo Duterte say about the responsibility of developed countries?

President Rodrigo Duterte says that developed countries, who remain the biggest polluters, have a moral obligation to fulfill their long-standing commitment to climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building in the developing world.

How does Ariel Cortez feel about the science of climate change?

Ariel Cortez may not fully understand the science behind climate change, but he lives with its effects every day.

What is the main message conveyed by the script about the situation in Manila Bay?

The script conveys that the people of Manila Bay are facing the harsh realities of climate change, with rising sea levels affecting their homes and livelihoods, and are in need of support from wealthier nations to adapt and mitigate these effects.