Stunning beauty of a pristine beach, lush greenery, and crystal-blue water depict a natural tropical island paradise.

“SUSTAINABILITY AT THE BRINK”

The natural world suffers in silence and continues deteriorating despite encouraging progress in other regions. Our country with its rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystems is at its tipping point. While we grapple with climate change, habitat loss, and resource exploitation, managing the ecological thresholds becomes paramount.

As I write this column, we delve into the ecological and environmental crossroads and assess its implications in Southeast Asia. By the way, why do you think these “phenomenal issues” matter to us, and how could they affect the lives on this planet, our common home? Are there strategies to safeguard our very own existence? Well, for the benefit of those still in the dark, the term ecological thresholds represent critical points beyond which ecosystems undergo irreversible changes. These shifts can be sudden or gradual, triggered by rising temperature, pollution, or habitat disintegration. Vague? Imagine a pristine coral reef transitioning to an algae-dominated wasteland due to increasing sea temperatures. That’s a threshold crossed!

Battle With Climate Crisis

Extreme weather such as typhoons and droughts exacerbated by the El Niño paradox, are becoming more frequent and intense, disrupting ecosystems and economic livelihoods. We need urgent action to mitigate these harsh effects, protect local communities, and transition towards a more sustainable future.

Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach. For example, we invest in renewable and geothermal energies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, implement sustainable agriculture and reforestation, strengthen infrastructure to withstand severe weather events, and promote awareness about the effects of climate change.

At present, our fragile world quivers amid typhoons and droughts orchestrated by these contradicting El Niño and La Niña climate patterns. Yet, within this chaos, seeds of resilience sprout. We harness solar and wind energy’s clutches, forging pathways toward a green horizon. And our principles intertwine with Earth’s heartbeat, birthing new forests while bridges of knowledge span the chasms of ignorance. 

Mangroves and Sea-Level Rise

Growing up in the province when I was young, I was awed by the unique beauty of mangroves or mangals. These are resilient coastal forests that serve as a breeding ground and nesting habitat for fish, crabs, and birds. My elementary Science taught me that these mangrove swamps buffer against storms and flooding, provide nurseries for marine life, and sequester carbon.

Today, we face a real dilemma. The mangroves huddled along the coastlines in Busuanga and Malampaya in Palawan, both home of endemic and endangered species of plants and animals become vulnerable to extermination; their ability to protect the beach fronts and marine biodiversity permanently diminishes once the sea overflows them. Hence, climbing sea levels threaten their existence. While the LGU is effective in its mangrove conservation and restoration program of degraded areas, and created defense zones to prevent irreparable damage and decline, it is encouraging to know that Indigenous people in this province value its importance for their welfare and tradition. 

Forest Segmentation

Our vast and verdant rainforests are slowly disintegrating due to extensive logging and land conversion. For instance, the Sierra Madre mountain range is home to endangered species of flora and fauna. Family lose connectivity, though, as constructed roads cut the forest. The entire ecosystem may collapse when fragmentation reaches its perilous point, affecting various species like the Philippine eagle, flying fox, turtles, deer, crocodiles, and migratory birds dependent therein.

We can safeguard these vital ecosystems for the coming generations by fostering connectivity and promoting conservation efforts. Also, we can mitigate the above issue through a holistic approach like collaboration with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies to establish protected corridors, reforest degraded areas, and enforce sustainable logging practices. 

 Acidification of the Ocean and Coral Reefs

Take into consideration our delicate Tubbataha Reef. The area has turned fragile due to ocean acidification. Seawater becomes more acidic because of the excess carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere, the product of burning fossil fuels and carbon pollution. Ocean acidity becomes an ecological threshold when it rises above a disapproving value; it imperils the capacity of corals to assemble and preserve their calcium carbonate structures. One important thing – these compositions protect coastal communities from erosion and storm surges. Both their survival and the health of the reef ecosystem are at risk because of this concern. I guess it’s time to return what we owe to our planet – love and care.

Energy Landscape Contradiction

Even though this region is the most disaster-prone, its nation-states—including the Philippines—appear oblivious to how alarming the climate situation is. Poised to become a central hub for fossil fuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with expansion plans for other fossil energy, this is not a surprise. Our renewable energy potential also turns out to be a sleeping giant of over 1,200 GW (solar and wind), and if tapped, it will bring socio-economic benefits.

Sadly, with gas, global financial organizations that aim to advance the development also put our energy security, affordability, and climate in danger zone. Our energy landscape is crammed with contradicting views since neighboring countries also use renewable energy. These nations with massive gas plans lead the region in renewable energy deployment because they received financial backing from big corporations. I guess stability is the key before we can handle an elephant in the room. 

Despite positive developments globally, the alarming rate of biodiversity loss and increasing pressures on our ecosystems demand urgent attention. I firmly believe it is time for Ecologism to be embedded in our society to guarantee human well-being and preserve the Earth. We must address this ecological quandary by promoting sustainable energy choices, protecting habitats, and embracing nature-based solutions such as reforestation, wetlands and grasslands conservation, climate-smart agriculture, natural flood management, and urban greening for spaces. 

I recall a speech by a leader from Western Asia. He mentioned human rights and animals have equal rights with people. Just like men and women are supposed to be equal creations of God. Adding to this, I would say that environmental rights must be given focus as the intrinsic value of ecosystems, species, and natural resources. Just as humans have rights, the environment per se has legal protection to ensure its well-being and longevity for future generations.

Notwithstanding, I am amazed at how often Earth’s bountiful supply left humanity thinking about sustainability and surplus. Nature provides the foundation for sustainability, offering resources essential for survival and growth. Is it GREED and power that pushes man to do the unthinkable and damage our ecosystem? Let us ask ourselves: Can we achieve a surplus without depleting our natural resources and still become responsible stewards through thoughtful conservation efforts? I think for the Greens, it’s possible. For us from the Makakalikasan Organization, in our little way, we will help accelerate and augment collaboration for nature-positive outcomes – conserving, restoring, and using biodiversity fairly and sustainably. If we don’t act and everybody fails, then, biodiversity will ultimately succumb to these ecological breakdowns, putting all life forms on this planet at risk of extinction.