Human Impact on the Hundred Islands
How are the Philippines affected by climate change? How are human activities impacting the Ocean Intertidal Zones of the Hundred Islands?
The Phillipines are extremely susceptible to climate change, primarily because they are a collection of islands and other marine centered ecosystems, including the Ocean Intertidal Zone. Climate change has a significant impact on the temperatures of the oceans, rising water levels, and other factors that affect marine life.
In fact, the Philippines and other coastal areas are possibly the most susceptible to problems caused by climate change, as explained by this video on climate change. Read the subtitles to watch this 15 minute video explaining the problems that climate change poses for the Philippines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1XGxo3vB2Q
This video goes into depth explaining the different details of climate change and how it affects areas of the Phillipines.
It even gives you a sense of the Filipino language in preparation for your visit!
In fact, the Philippines and other coastal areas are possibly the most susceptible to problems caused by climate change, as explained by this video on climate change. Read the subtitles to watch this 15 minute video explaining the problems that climate change poses for the Philippines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1XGxo3vB2Q
This video goes into depth explaining the different details of climate change and how it affects areas of the Phillipines.
It even gives you a sense of the Filipino language in preparation for your visit!
Setiritter. Island Hopping. Our Surprising World. 2008.
Scientific Research
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines plays a large role in the majority of scientific endeavors in the Philippines. Though there are no research projects currently under way that specifically apply to the Ocean Intertidal Zone, the department is extremely busy with other acts in place for the area. The nature park that is currently being maintained for the Hundred Islands, however, is a great site for scientific research, which would be conducted by other countries or tourism. An ecotourist resort would be lovely for this area; it could cultivate not only a community, but also a scientific community for research on the Intertidal Zone in particular.
The Hundred Islands National Park works to promote the study of the diverse species present on the islands at the moment. They aim to increase tourism and awareness of the plight of these animals living on the islands. The National Park is very prominent and would be a lovely place to set up a tourist destination, as they have already begun to do.
INTERESTING STUDIES: Studies on animal populations have been ongoing for several years. Recently, a study submitted on August 20, 2010 found that there were NO FROGS on the Hundred Islands. This report, though confidential, highlights the issues the islands are facing.
Human Laws in Effect
Because the ocean intertidal zone is an ecotone, and consequently spans across so many different areas of the world, as it is present wherever land meets sea, there are many laws that affect the area. These laws aim to lessen problems ranging from covering global warming, the melting of the polar ice caps, pollution, and other human impacts.
Here are a few that would apply to to the Philippines:
Here are a few that would apply to to the Philippines:
- Philippine Climate Change Acts of 2007, 2008, and 2009 - These acts are headed by the PIA (Philippine Information Agency) and aim to mix climate change with legislation that could be made to fix the climate problems. They also aim to mainstream climate change into policy formulation, development planning, and poverty reduction programs.
- Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Act- Aims to help preserve endangered species. Doesn't apply to Intertidal Zone specifically, but does affect the Philippine ecosystem.
- Acts by the UNEP and other worldwide acts to reduce carbon and pollution emissions. These include the Kyoto Protocol (an agreement between nations to decrease carbon emissions by a significant amount by 2020), the Clean Air and Water Acts (which aim to reduce air and water pollution, as the name implies), and many more. All of these worldwide treaties affect global phenomenon that affect the Intertidal zone, such as an increase in the overall water level of the oceans due to the melting of the polar ice caps. Thus, there are a myriad acts in place that would affect the Ocean Intertidal Zone across the globe; however, these are the most important ones specific to the Philippines.
Sources:
"Study finds no frogs on Hundred Islands". HumaneSpot.org. 20 Aug 2010. Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. 29 November 2010. <http://www.humanespot.org/content/study-finds-no-frogs-hundred-islands>.
"Philippines Climate Change in Coastal Areas." WorldBank. 5 May. 2009. Online Video Clip. YouTube. 29 November 2010.
"Study finds no frogs on Hundred Islands". HumaneSpot.org. 20 Aug 2010. Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. 29 November 2010. <http://www.humanespot.org/content/study-finds-no-frogs-hundred-islands>.
"Philippines Climate Change in Coastal Areas." WorldBank. 5 May. 2009. Online Video Clip. YouTube. 29 November 2010.
Copyright 2010 Meera Patel and Jo
