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Sunday, March 2, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 141
P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 12 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK
GOVERNMENTS AND COMMUNITIES ARE IN A RACE TO BUILD WALLS AS CLIMATE CHANGE SPAWNS MORE FREQUENT, MORE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS; BUT BLUE CARBON ECOSYSTEMS LIKE MANGROVES HOLD THE MOST SUSTAINABLE KEY TO LIFE.
AERIAL view of a town embraced by lush mangroves in Siargao, Surigao del Norte. This coastal community thrives amidst wetlands, where land and sea intertwine in harmony. ALEXEY KORNYLYEV VIA DREAMSTIME.COM
KEY INSIGHTS
By John Eiron R. Francisco
W
ITH sea levels expected to rise by 0.4 meters in the western Philippines by 2060, environmental scientists and academic leaders are pushing the immediate prioritization of blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, to counter the impacts of climate change. This, while emphasizing the need for a policy roadmap that outlines conservation strategies, enterprise opportunities, financial support, communication initiatives, and community and biodiversity benefits.
n Dr. Severino Salmo II (Restoration
At a recent press conference for the launch of the Philippines’ National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP), Dr. Severino Salmo II, a restoration ecologist and associate professor at the UP Diliman Institute of Biology, emphasized the importance of conserving and restoring mangroves to ensure a steady supply of ecosystem services, including food, tourism, livelihood, and income. “The good thing about blue carbon is that it directly contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation,” Salmo said, explaining that effective mangrove management leads to better blue carbon outcomes. Conversely, he warned that neglecting conservation efforts would result in reduced carbon storage, contributing to
CHALLENGES & CALLS TO ACTION
greenhouse gas emissions. Salmo expressed optimism about the NBCAP, describing it as a strategic platform to showcase the Philippine government and communities’ contributions to global climate change adaptation. He emphasized that prioritizing conservation should be linked to biodiversity hotspots, citing areas like Surigao, Siargao, Palawan, and Tawi-Tawi. However, he also noted that regions like Palawan and Isabela, though understudied, could hold significant carbon stock potential. Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña, a professor and UP scientist from the Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, echoed the urgency of safeguarding coastal ecosystems. He emphasized the need to “move smart” to become
Ecologist, UP Diliman)—“The good thing about blue carbon is that it directly contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation.”
n Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña (Social Forestry &
Forest Governance, UP Los Baños)—“We need to start preparing now while we still have mangroves to protect us.”
n Jonas Leones (DENR Undersecretary for
Policy & Planning)—“These ecosystems are essential, not only for climate resilience and biodiversity, but also for the livelihoods of countless communities.”
n Edwina Garchitorena (Zoological Society
of London, Country Director)—“While it does not have to be perfect, [the roadmap] should serve as a foundation that can be refined over time.”
n Dr. Yasmin Primavera-Tirol (Aklan State
University)—“The key is to have the economics of it—showing stakeholders the financial viability of blue carbon conservation.”
n Overlapping
MAQUINIT Hot Spring near Coron, Palawan, where warm natural pools are surrounded by lush mangroves. SIMON DANNHAUER VIA DREAMSTIME.COM
“future-proof,” warning that delays in conservation would make restoration more challenging. “We need to start preparing now while we still have mangroves to protect us,” Gevaña said. Gevaña pointed out that the race against environmental degradation is not limited to the Philippines, as other countries are also grappling with the challenge. He observed that many nations prioritize seawalls and other infrastructure over natural barriers like mangroves, which remain a more sustainable option. “That’s the problem. We are in
a race—nature and green solutions versus degradation,” he said, advocating a shift in coastal protection strategies. He also highlighted the need to rehabilitate abandoned fishponds, which, under existing laws, should be reverted to mangroves. However, he acknowledged the complexities of implementing this due to overlapping government priorities. “We’re talking about at least three or more departments with stakes in these coastal areas,” he explained. “Through the NBCAP, pushing for this prioritization re-
mains a major challenge.” “Above all, there should be non-negotiable areas dedicated to conservation as a green belt,” he emphasized. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and supported by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) as the secretariat, the NBCAP is part of the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda, backed by the Blue Planet Fund. The initiative aims to strengthen coastal communities’ resilience by protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems, including
government priorities Need for unified action n Abandoned fishponds Should be reverted to mangroves n Policy gaps NBCAP roadmap must be finalized before June
mangroves and seagrasses. “These ecosystems are essential not only for climate resilience and biodiversity but also for the livelihoods of countless communities that depend on their health and sustainability,” said Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs, during his opening remarks. Continued on A2
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