DOCUMENTATION OF GOOD ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES OF COASTAL AND MARINE COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE OF SELECTED HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN EASTERN VISAYAS. BACKGROUND The Earth’s climate has changed many times during the planets history with events ranging from ice ages to long periods of warmth (USEPA from Internet). Changes might be of natural origin like volcanic eruptions, changes in the earths orbit and the amounts of energy released from the sun. In the early to the middle 17th century Industrial Revolution began. Human activities associated with industrialization have contributed to alter the composition of the atmosphere and therefore influence the earth’s climate. Alcala 2008, during NAST Roundtable Discussion on Climate Change focusing on Energy Environment stated that the main driver of global climate change is the increased concentration of CO2 and other greenhouses gases in the earth’s atmosphere. The carbon dioxide theory of climate dates back to the works of Calendar (1938, 1958) and Plass (1956, 1959). Gates (1962) explains the basis of this theory thus: This theory is based on the fact that the fundamental absorption band of the CO2 molecule is located is the infrared at 14 microns where the earth’s atmosphere radiates heat efficiently. This carbon dioxide in the atmosphere effectively shields the earth’s surface from the cosmic cold of outer space. An increase in the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere would produce increased effectiveness of the shielding effect and by this means make the surface warmer. 1 If we are to consider the theory, from the early 18th century and today our energy needs had been long been satisfied by the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, petroleum and natural gas). But this only increases the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. As a consequence climate change is experienced at these present times. Though, climate change consequences until today still remain debatable, manifestations are observed and experienced which by itself life threatening. There has been a growing body of literatures about the rising of sea level in the low lying areas it the South Pacific, a destructive tropical storms and even the rise in temperature in the area and in some parts of the globe have occurred. These manifestations of climate change, is a double threat to the ecological diverse and economically important coastal areas not only in the Philippines but all over the world. Because if these areas will not be protected or the maladaptive practices will continue, these life blood supports of 500 million people for over a thousand of years will ultimately be gone forever or exacerbated by the climate change. These then requires researched studies as mitigating projects and programs that will reduce coastal areas sensitiveness thereby empowering the ecosystem to adapt and resilient to climate change. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study aims to assess the adaptation strategies and practices to climate change of coastal and marine communities in selected Higher Institutions in Eastern Visayas. 2 The specific Objectives of the study are the following: 1. To identify extreme climate variabilities experienced by coastal and marine communities. 2. To determine what adaptation strategies and practices these coastal and marine communities have evolved for a particular climate change manifestation or event. 3. To describe the adaptation strategies and practices that these communities (coastal and marine) have introduced into the ecosystem. 4. To ascertain the adaptation strategies and practices to climate change in terms of the following conditions: a. Institutional b. Technological c. Economic d. Social e. Ecological 5. To document good adaptation strategies and practices of coastal and marine communities to climate change in selected HI’s in the Region. METHODOLOGY The documentation of adaptation strategies and practices to climate change were sourced out from selected PATLEPAM Member Institution in Region 8. Letter requesting permission to conduct the interview and survey were sent to the respective Head or President of the University and further requested a focal person to assist us and answer the questions prepared in the conduct of the interview. 3 The focal person identified was recommended by the Vice President for Research or Director for Research or the Head of Department who is knowledgeable on the topic. The focal person becomes the key informant of this study. After which group discussion were also encouraged literatures of projects and studies made which described a particular strategy were solicited from the different areas of study. Local of The Study The area of the study covered the islands of Leyte and Samar, choosing carefully universities or colleges that are located along the coastal areas of these islands. The area of study started from Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte; College of Maasin, Maasin City; Southern Leyte State University, Sogod, Southern Leyte; Palompon Institute of Technology, Palompon, Leyte; Naval Institute of Technology, Naval, Biliran; Eastern Visayas State University Carigara Campus, Carigara, Leyte; Eastern Samar State University, Catbalogan City; Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City and Teburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology, Calbayog City. TIME FRAME The data was collected from the different universities in Leyte and Samar for a period of one month (November 2008). 4 DISCUSSION OF RESULT Eastern Visayas comprises the two large islands of Samar and Leyte, the Province of Biliran and several minor islands. This Region is the Eastern boundary of the Philippines. The regional seas and island waters are rich sources of salt and fresh water fish and other marine products. The region is also considered as one of the fishing exporting regions in the country. The climate in this Eastern part of the Philippines had been frequently visited by storms from the Pacific Ocean. The Region receives heavy rainfall throughout the year with no pronounced dry season. Until just recently, people from the different parts of the region have attested that there has been a shift in the direction of typhoons; with such the region for a period of ten years now has experience less typhoons that according to them, this is a manifestation of climate change. On the other hand, there are areas which have not felt the occurrence of climate change reasons like unawareness of the phenomenon, others may attributed to the experiences of manifestations on their communities does not sufficiently explain this climate change thing. Thus, adaptation strategies have not been practiced. However it was highly commendable that all of the Universities and Colleges who have been a part this study have conducted activities, programs and researches which have linkages with NGO’s local and abroad, LGU’s and other government institutions geared towards the protection of the environment. 5 The following are the results of the collected data: Samar State University Coastal Adaptation Climate Change Manifestation Sources of Accommodat Experienced Protect Retreat Information e 1. Long drought in 1991 Mr. Renato 2. Increase of sea level by -Increased Diocton two feet height of dikes - Elevated houses 3.Algal bloom Frequent Change of Monitoring of fishing Parameters grounds 4. Unusual heavy rains 5. Increase of ocean Coral temperature by 1°C was monitoring observed between the years from 1998-2008 which was manifested in coral bleaching which a. affected the fish assembly-it changed b. fish catch decreased as manifested in a healthy coral reef produces 30 metric tons/year has reduced to 26 metric tons/year Unusual heavy rains This was Dr. Felisa evident when Gumba salt water invaded palay areas The region has experienced fewer typhoons within a period of ten years. Typhoon shifted direction. 6 Description of Good Adaptation Strategies and Practices to Climate Change Samar State University as an academe advocated (IEC) Information and Education Campaign in the Awareness of Climate Change by conducting: 1. Open Forum – basic science knowledge, the science of global warming was introduced an explained among the fisher folks. 2. Extended IEC materials to the community Extended Technical Expertise: a. Observing the fisher folks’ practices and corrected them by introducing a sustainable technique. b. Introduces sea weed-farming to augment income when fish catch is low. c. Studied the sustainability and sustainability of ocean waters n sea weeds by monitoring the following parameters : 1. pH 2. chlorophyll A and B 3. nutrients d. conducted training on Training on Stock Density Enhancement Technology and Technology Transfer 3. R & D Congress Newsletter 2008 4. Women and children were employed for rock oyster gathering (livelihood training). 5. Hosted the 3rd Fisheries in R&D Congress in Eastern Visayas and Conference on November 12-14, 2008 which focused on major issues on Climate Change affecting Fishery Industry such as: - Increase occurrence of extreme climate events - More intense tropical cyclones 7 - High salinity fluctuations due to sediment run off and precipitation - Increase occurrence of droughts and floods - Increase frequency of coral bleaching - Description of nutrient supply thus impacting primary production levels and changing food wed - High production coast for capture fisheries, aqua culture and post harvest enterprises - Environmental Degradation and Resource Depletion 6. As an academe, SSU had collaborated with the following agencies: a. Local Government