Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather

patterns in a place. It has already had observable effects on the environment. As an

initial step to address the problem, the Batangas State University conducted a seminar
which will strengthen and help the University to have more knowledge and ideas that
will support its disaster and climate readiness. It was conducted on August 6, 2021 at
0008H – 0012H via webinar together with other participants from constituent campuses.
The seminar was started by a prayer and then followed by a brief introduction of
the topics that will be discussed. An opening remark was then given by Dr. NICKIE BOY
A. MANALO, Director of BatStateU Action Center.
It was then followed by the introduction of the guest speaker, Ms. MELODY
MELO-RIJK, RND, MBA, EnP. She is a project manager for WWF-Philippines with
expertise in sustainability for food system, cities and tourism. The seminar was started
by giving background on the topics that will be discussed. The guest speaker also
shared the WWF mission which is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural
environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

As the start of the webinar proper, climate change was then discussed. The
causes, hazards and impact were elaborated which gave us more knowledge and ideas
on how climate change affects our lives. The difference between weather and climate
were also discussed. The speaker reiterated that weather refers to conditions like rain,
temperature and wind over hours to days while climate refers to average weather
conditions over a long period of time.
It was then followed by the discussion of the factors that causes climate change
such as greenhouse effect, global warming and anthropocene. On this webinar, it was
pointed out that climate change hazards impact people and other living beings in the
world.
The speaker also shared with us the scientists’ projection on the impacts of
climate change. Some of those were as follows: the temperature will increase by 03.-4.8
degrees by 2100. The heat waves and extreme precipitation events will be more often
and will last longer. Precipitation on wet and dry regions will increase and decrease
respectively.
Through this webinar, we became knowledgeable on how climate change
impacted the climate and weather events which also have tremendous effects on our
lives. The hazards brought about by the changing seasons and drought caused
agricultural failure and crop planting unpredictability, less water supply less or no crops,
which greatly affects the lives of our farmers.

After knowing the hazards and impacts of climate change, actions that should be
taken were then discussed. Climate change mitigation and adaptation were introduced.
As noted, climate change mitigation is the action taken to stop climate change by
reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere while climate change
adaptation is the action taken to deal with climate change impacts and reduce the
effects on lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.
 Key environmental laws were introduced for us to have a better understanding of
our government’s engagement to climate change. The speaker also allows us to
understand the major environmental contaminants and what we can do as an individual
to help lessen those contributing factors.

To measure the knowledge and insight gain by the participants through the
webinar, an exercise was given. The participants were requested to join the breakout
room per campuses and tasked to list and discuss the possible climate vulnerabilities
and disaster risk of each campuses. The task was engaging and fun as each campus
was able to discuss and know more about the risk in their respective campuses. Malvar,
Nasugbu and Rosario campuses were chosen to present their outputs. Each has their
own different vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

As the webinar continues, Developing Green spaces, a strategy in building

disaster and climate resiliency was discussed. The speaker shared the importance and
benefits of having green spaces within the campus. History and proponents of Green
spaces was also discussed. Planning of urban green spaces was elaborated by Ms.
Rijk. Lastly, benefits of having or protecting existing green spaces were given distinct
importance. An inspiring quotation from David Attenborough “ THE TRUTH IS: THE
NATURAL WORLD IS CHANGING. AND WE ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THAT
WORLD. IT PROVIDES OUR FOOD, WATER AND AIR. IT IS THE MOST PRECIOUS
THING WE HAVE AND WE NEED TO DEFEND IT” concluded the discussion of the
guest speaker.

Question and Answer portion was also given enough time to be conducted and it
was really engaging and fun because of the prices and freebies. Also it shows that
participants have earned more knowledge and understanding of the topics that were
discussed. Overall the seminar has great impact to each and every one of the
participants.

The seminar was formally ended by a closing remark by Engr. DEBBIE ANNE P.
MARCELINO, Head, EMU Pablo Borbon.
Pictures
Prepared by:

Engr. Maricel Lacbay

Head, Environmental Unit Lipa