19-February-2008 SEARCA News Release
The link between biodiversity and climate change is not one-way: just as climate change alters the state of biodiversity, so can changes in biodiversity affect the world’s climate. This was the concern put into the limelight by an international conference-workshop initiated by the locally-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) held on 19-20 February 2008 in Manila, Philippines.
He also said, “The less attention grabbing yet potentially more widespread consequences of climate change include lower agricultural yields, increased water stress, spread of infectious diseases, as well as changes in the natural ecosystems, thereby threatening biological species.”
He furthered that the projected impacts of climate change on biodiversity have already been heavily discussed whereas the contributions of biological resources to reduce the impacts of climate change on people and agricultural production have not been fully appreciated.
Balisacan also added that climate change and biodiversity issues affect third world economies more and this should be a cause for alarm. This was seconded by Netherlands Ambassador Robert Brinks in his welcome address. Speaking on behalf of DGIS, he said that countries like the Philippines are more vulnerable to the threats of climate change and must therefore safeguard their resources. He also remarked, “Global warming is primarily caused by developed countries which includes my own… From the perspective of the Netherlands Policy, human activity causes climate change and we can do something about it.”
The keynote speaker, Ahmed Djoglaf, Executive Director, Convention on Biodiversity was represented by Delfin Ganapin, Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme Director. Ganapin emphasized that “if temperature increases by 1.5°C to 2°C, 20 percent of our species will be at risk of extinction… already the ecosystem’s functions [are disrupted]: bleaching of corals, expansion of arid lands… the stakes are enormous and intergenerational with a very short time… partners across sectors, agencies, and countries [are needed]…”
In efforts such as this, the participation of various sectors is very much needed to create and multiply results. The three speakers were in accord in noting that biodiversity and climate change are two issues that require immediate response.
The conference served as a venue for discussion of opportunities for adapting to and mitigating climate change, while enhancing the conservation of biodiversity in the region. Thematic papers and case studies from participating countries were presented on the first day. The second day featured a workshop or mini-roundtable discussion that identified the elements of a feasible regional research-for-development program on biodiversity and climate change, with short talks by representatives of the donor community on their perspectives in supporting such efforts in the Southeast Asian region.
An alliance to combat climate change through intellectual discourse and research was formed during the conference. A concept note on a regional program on biodiversity and climate change was also created. The participants serve as the initial pool of experts for the said alliance and their different organizations as the leading institutions.
The event, which has drawn more than 100 participants from 10 countries, was jointly organized by SEARCA, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, World Agroforestry Centre, Bioversity International (formerly the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute or IPGRI), and Silliman University. (Maria Angela F. Abad, PR)
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See related news:
Philippines Policies in Response to a changing climate: A review of natural resource policies, 14-Mar-2008
