Climate change is caused by both natural processes and human activities that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect traps heat from the sun like a greenhouse, keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life. However, human activities like burning fossil fuels have increased greenhouse gases to levels that are forcing global temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate. This is causing dangerous impacts like rising seas, stronger storms, more severe wildfires, and threats to food and water security. To address climate change, societies must work to both reduce emissions and adapt to the changes that can no longer be avoided.

1. Overview
of
Climate Change

2. What is Climate Change?
• “A change of climate which is attributed directly or
indirectly to human activity that alters the
composition of the global atmosphere which is in
addition to natural climate variability observed over
a comparable period of time.” (United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• “Any change in climate over time, whether due to
natural variability or as a result of human activity.”
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

3. To be able to understand
climate change is to understand
first the concept of
greenhouse effect.

4. www.eere.energy.gov
Greenhouse effect refers to rise in global temperature due to the process by
which the gases in the atmosphere trap the heat coming from the sun that is re-
radiated by the earth’s surface and re-emit it downwards. Because of how they warm
our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases.

5. Most greenhouses look like a small glass house. Greenhouses are used to grow
plants, especially in the winter. Greenhouses work by trapping heat from the sun. The
glass panels of the greenhouse let in light but keep heat from escaping. This causes the
greenhouse to heat up, much like the inside of a car parked in sunlight, and keeps the
plants warm enough to live in the cool seasons.
How does the greenhouse effect work?

6. So what are the greenhouse gases (GHGs)?
• Water vapor
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Methane (CH4)
• Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• Ozone (O3)

7. The GHGs are produced by natural processes such as:
• water cycle
• growth and death of plants and animals
• decaying of wood and other biodegradable materials and,
• volcanic activities.

8. These are the naturally occurring gases that keep the Earth
comfortably warm enough for plants and animals to live in at an average
temperature of 15oC. They act as a natural blanket around the earth,
trapping heat much like a glass roof of a greenhouse.
Why are greenhouse gases important?

9. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average surface
temperature would be some 30°C colder or approximately -15°C
and possibly not warm enough to sustain life.

11. Unfortunately, humans are affecting atmospheric greenhouse gas
concentrations by introducing new sources or by interfering with
natural processes that destroy or remove GHGs.

12. By burning fossil fuels due to industrialization and to sustain
our modern lifestyle, the level of GHGs increase rapidly. The
higher the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
the stronger the greenhouse effect making it into enhanced
greenhouse effect.
How do greenhouse gases influence climate change?

14. This is what is causing climate change. Climate change,
therefore, is caused by both natural events and human
(anthropogenic) activities. Scientists now agree that most of the
global warming today have been caused by human activities.

15. The Anthropogenic (Human-induced) Sources of GHGs
Human activities that lead to the increase in concentration of greenhouse gases
include:
 worldwide deforestation
 power generation
 increasing industrial activity
 motor vehicle emission
 waste management practices
 land-use and agriculture
 intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

16. Effects of Climate Change
• Temperature increase
• Sea-level rise
• Melting of glaciers
• Extreme weather events

17. Water Resources
Climate Change and Environmental Impacts
Changes in temperature, weather patterns and sea level rise
Agriculture
Forests/
Biodiversity
Coastal/Marine
Ecosystem
Human Health
Industry and
Energy
• Added heat stress, shifting monsoons, drier soils,
water shortages/ irrigation demands
• Decreased rice/crop production
• Impact on livestock production
• Occurrence of weed infestation & diseases
• Coastal erosion
• Storm surges
• Coastal flooding
• Saltwater
intrusion
• Coral bleaching
• Ocean
acidification
• Increase in vector-borne diseases
• Increase in cardio-vascular illnesses
• Increase in upper respiratory illnesses
• Occurrence of infectious diseases
• Impact on hydrological cycle, changing
evaporation, precipitation and runoff
patterns which could affect water
resources (freshwater quantity and
quality)
• Impact on power generation
• Shift in feeding point and disruption in flight
patterns for migratory birds.
• Extinction of some mountain plants and animals
• Changes in species distribution, composition
• Invasion of weeds and alien species
• Loss and migration of plant and animal species
• Changes in energy supply and demand
• Impact on energy infrastructure
• Impact on industries such as wine, tourism,
livestock, fishing, insurance, holiday resorts,
mining, and others

18. 1°C 2°C 5°C4°C3°C
Sea level rise threatens
major cities
Falling crop yields in many areas, particularly
developing regions
Food
Water
Ecosystems
Risk of Abrupt and
Major Irreversible
Changes
0°C
Falling yields in many
developed regions
Rising number of species face extinction
Increasing risk of dangerous feedbacks and
abrupt, large-scale shifts in the climate system
Significant decreases in water
availability in many areas, including
Mediterranean and Southern Africa
Small mountain glaciers
disappear – water
supplies threatened in
several areas
Extensive Damage to
Coral Reefs
Extreme
Weather Events Rising intensity of storms, forest fires, droughts, flooding and heat waves
Possible rising yields in some
high latitude regions
Above +2ºC impacts will be large
Source: PAGASA

19. • an increasing trend in mean surface air temperature in Southeast Asia during the
past several decades, with a 0.1–0.3°C increase per decade recorded between
1951 and 2000
• rainfall has been trending down and sea levels up (at the rate of 1–3 millimeters
per year)
• frequency of extreme weather events has increased: heat waves are more
frequent (an increase in the number of hot days and warm nights and decrease in
the number of cold days and cold nights since 1950)
• heavy precipitation events rose significantly from 1900 to 2005
• number of tropical cyclones was higher during 1990— 2003.
Manifestation of Climate Change in Southeast Asia
(IPCC 2007)
Massive flooding, landslides, droughts in many parts of the
region, causing extensive damage to property, assets and
human life.
Source: ADB, The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review

20. What are the manifestations/signals
of global warming in the country?
• From 1960-2003, there are already significant
trends of increasing number of hot days and
warm nights, but decreasing number of cold
days and cool nights. Both maximum and
minimum temperatures are generally getting
warmer.
• An increase of 0.62°C from 1951 to 2006 has
been observed.
• In most parts of the country, the intensity of
rainfall is increasing with Baguio, Tacloban and
Iloilo.
• Other extreme weather/climate events like
intense rains have been seen to be more
frequent.

21. Climate Map
of the
Philippines
Source: Climate Change of the
Philippines, NEDA – MDGF,
Adapt Tayo

22. ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS,
VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE
WILL BE GREATER IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES, WHICH ARE LOCATED IN
WARMER LATITUDES, LIKE THE
PHILIPPINES.

23. PHILIPPINE VULNERABILITIES TO
GLOBAL WARMING/ CLIMATE CHANGE
HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO TYPHOONS –
LOCATED WITHIN PACIFIC TYPHOON BELT AREA

24. MOUNTAINOUS WITH STEEP SLOPES
HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO LANDSLIDES,
MUDSLIDES, ETC.

25. HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODINGS
AND INUNDATIONS
• Archipelago, composed
of low lying small
islands
• 70% of cities and
municipalities are
coastal areas
• Highly susceptible to
flooding and storm
surges

26. Low Agricultural Productivity
Rice production in the Philippines will decline by as much as
75% if the country is not quick enough to adapt to and put in
place safeguards against climate change. Such decline will start
in 2020.

27. THIS WILL DIRECTLY
THREATEN FOOD
SECURITY

28. HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSS OF BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
ACCORDING TO UN, 20%-30% OF PLANT AND ANIMAL
SPECIES MAY BECOME EXTINCT AS A RESULT OF
CLIMATE CHANGE

29. HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESSES
PHILIPPINES AS A TROPICAL COUNTRY
Water-borne and parasitic illnesses will
become prevalent with climate change.

30. What can we do?
• Limit the cause of climate change
through measures that could slow
down the build up of atmospheric
GHGs concentrations by reducing
current and future emissions and by
increasing GHG sinks (Mitigation)
• Adjustment in natural or human
systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their
effects, which moderates harm or
exploits beneficial opportunities
(Adaptation)
Increase the resilience and coping
capacity of the sector with the current
and future changes

31. We can make a difference . . .
• Read and share what we have learned about
climate change
• Save electricity
– turn off lights and electric appliance when
not in use
– use more energy efficient electric
appliances
– use compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) that
last 4 times longer and use just 1/4 of the
electricity compared to incandescent bulbs
• Plant trees in your neighborhood and look after
them. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the
air.

32. We can make a difference . . .
• Take the bus, ride a bike or walk;
maximize the use of public transport
systems.
• Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags and
newspapers. When you recycle, you help
save natural resources.
• Generate as little trash as possible,
because trash in landfill sites emit large
quantities of methane, and if burned,
carbon dioxide is released.
• Reduce on the use of non-renewable
sources of energy and increase in the
use of renewable energy sources such
as solar, hydro, and wind energy.

33. We can make a difference . . .
• Review on your institution’s current policies
and programs that may work as either
mitigation or adaptation strategies and
measures in addressing climate change.
• Encourage cooperation and partnerships
among other institutions in programs and
activities that would help fight global
warming.
• Strengthen environmental awareness and
action among your colleagues by initiating
innovative and creative information and
education campaigns.
• Consume less, share more, live simply.

34. “Climate change will not
be effectively managed
until individuals and
communities recognise
that their behaviour can
make a difference.”
-The Royal Society, Climate Change: what we know
and what we need to know. (2002)

35. Thank you
For your questions / queries:
Climate Change Office (CCO)
DNA - CDM Secretariat Office
Environmental Management Bureau
DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Telefax: (+63-2) 920-2251; 928-4674
Website: www.emb.gov.ph;