LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- Responding to the recent calamities that pummeled the country, the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC) has organized the 15^th National Environmental Congress on Oct. 14-16 to tackle the impacts of climate change.

                Taking up the theme, “Strengthening the Community’s Coping Mechanisms with the Challenges of Climate Change-Induced and Human-Aggravated Natural disasters,” some 100 participants, including experts, have gathered for the three-day congress held at the SEARCA Drilon hall of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna.

                Dr. Luis Rey Velasco, Chancellor of the UPLB, welcomed the participants, stressing that the event was “timely” as the country is still reeling from the effects of recent typhoons that entered the country.

                According to Dr. Roger Z. Guzman, PFEC executive director, the 15^th National Environmental Congress served as a venue for mainstreaming the issues and problems of adaptation to climate change.

                “There is a need to integrate adaptation strategies that are realistic and holistic in the decision-making processes and structures,” Dr. Guzman said.           

Strengthening the Community’s Coping Mechanisms with the Challenges of Climate Change Induced & Human-Aggravated Natural Disasters

Venue:             Drilon Hall, SEARCA

                          UPLB, Laguna, Philippines

Date:               October 14-16, 2009

 Rationale:

The Impacts of climate change are now being felt globally. Climate change brings about gradual changes, such as rise of sea level, shifts of climatic zones due to increased temperature, and changes in precipitation patterns.  It also increases the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms.  It is said that susceptibility is highest for the least developed countries because of limited human, institutional, and financial capacity to anticipate and respond to the effects of climate change.