by Ranell Martin M. Dedicatoria, SEARCA KMD
26-April-2010 SEARCA News Release
SEARCA and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) have co-published Moving Forward Southeast Asian Perspectives on Climate Change and Biodiversity, a new book that discusses the general phenomenon of climate change, the importance of biodiversity, and how these two are linked and related. ISEAS is a regional centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its whole geostrategic and economic development.
Edited by Percy E. Sajise, Mariliza V. Ticsay and Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. with 18 authors from all over Southeast Asia, the book draws its major findings from regional perspectives and country papers presented during the 2008 International Conference on Biodiversity and Climate Change organized by SEARCA, in partnership with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, World Agroforestry Centre, Bioversity International, and Silliman University. This conference aimed to establish the link between climate change and biodiversity in the context of agriculture and food security.
One chapter is also dedicated to a specific research on biodiversity, the five-year project on Biodiversity for Research (BRP) Programme in Mt. Malindang, Mindanao, Philippines. BRP was implemented by SEARCA and funded by the government of the Netherlands, through its Ministry of Development Cooperation (DGIS). The last chapter synthesizes lessons learned and research gaps which can serve as inputs in determining national and regional priorities for future biodiversity research.
The book provides an in-depth analysis of the relationships among poverty, economic growth, and access and benefit-sharing regimes of valuable biodiversity as well as policy and institutional environments to promote synergy needed toward enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation.
"Climate change will have great impacts on biodiversity in terms of reduction and loss. On the other hand, biodiversity can be used to enhance the mitigation and adaptation of people and environments to climate change," Dr. Sajise, the book's lead editor, pointed out.
He further explained that several countries in Southeast Asia are considered both megadiversity centers and biodiversity hotspots. As such, pressures on resource use can worsen the negative impacts of climate change. Likewise, coastal zones and small islands in archipelagic countries are more vulnerable.
Sajise is a Senior Fellow at SEARCA and an Honorary Research Fellow at Bioversity International. His co-editors Dr. Ticsay was BRP project leader and Dr. Saguiguit is SEARCA Director.
"To promote greater understanding of this multifaceted climate change-biodiversity-agricultural development nexus, we are pleased to present this book... we hope that this book will become a useful and handy reference material for policy makers and students of development who seek to better understand the interrelated topic of biodiversity and climate change," former SEARCA Director Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan said.
The book will be formally launched on 4 May 2010 at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City.
