Mount Apo in Davao, and Mounts Kitanglad and Kalatungan in Bukidnon are some of the mountains in the country that recently suffered from forest fires worsened by the El Niño phenomenon.
While the Mt. Apo fire started because of a bonfire left behind by trekkers, the blaze in Mt. Kitanglad was caused by grassfire, which spread to nearby forests and six other mountains that were part of the mountain range. According to DENR-10 Assistant Regional Director Felix Mirasol, villagers were “exposed to the high risk of boulders and glowing embers falling on them.”
Due to the series of wildfire outbreaks, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje called all Protected Area Manangement Boards (PAMBs) across the country to prioritize the prevention of forest fires and ensure the nation’s biodiversity and habitat protection.
Days after the blaze started, the City Government of Kidapawan ordered the closure of Mt. Apo for a period of 3-5 years for rehabilitation.
“We have to sacrifice in closing the annual climb as I cannot sacrifice Mt. Apo that has served as landmark for greatness for centuries through its rich natural resources,” Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said.
Meanwhile, at least P35 million is needed for the rehabilitation of Kitanglad, according to a DENR- Northern Mindanao official. As of press date, the said mountains are also closed from the public.
Forest fires and El Niño
Though majority of wildfires are caused by human activities, El Niño still has something to do with their frequency and severity. As temperatures continue to rise and the amount of precipitation lessens, fires tends to spread more easily.
In a span of few weeks, we have seen how forest fire incidents have increased. If reduced rainfall prevails, this could lead to more forest fires that may be prolonged due to the soil’s lack of moisture.
The usual Hot and Dry Season is now being aggravated by the El Niño. Once a blaze begins in the forest—whether it is naturally caused by lightning or humans— it may get more intense within a longer period.
Studies show that the increasingly hot and dry climate has led to a worsening of wildfires across the globe. But in turn, these forest fires have also become contributors to climate change.
Aside from triggering air pollution, which threatens the health and lives of nearby individuals, forest fires eliminate trees and other plants that absorb carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases that stimulate climate change.
The decrease in the number of trees also poses danger in the next few months, where the onset of the Rainy Season is expected. This increases the risk of flash floods due to the loss of plant life and the inability of the burned soil to absorb moisture.
Based on the latest data from PAGASA, dry days will remain for almost the entire April. A large portion of the archipelago may experience more than 20 days of less than 1-millimeter of rainfall. Hence, if more forest fire incidents occur, these will be more difficult to control.
PAGASA also stated that the strong El Niño is expected to weaken and will likely reach neutral levels in the middle of the year, from the months of May to July. However, warmer than average temperatures may continue during the transition.
Saving our Summits
So what can you do to save our mountains?
To begin with, you and your hiking buddies can join the 3rd National Mountain Clean-up Day that will take place on June 4, 2016.
In his website, Gideon Lasco, author of renowned hiking blog “Pinoy Mountaineer” announced that 23 teams have already signed up for the event. As of April 11, mountains included in the clean-up are the following: Romelo (Laguna), Magsanga (Leyte), Pamitinan (Rizal), Binacayan (Rizal), Daraitan (Rizal), Talinis (Negros Oriental), Batulao (Batangas), Gulugod Baboy (Batangas), Tagapo (Rizal), Daguldol (Bagtangas), Sirao (Cebu), Babatngon (Leyte), Malipunyo (Batangas), Tibig (Batangas) and Sembrano (Rizal) as well as the Minalungao National Park (Nueva Ecija), Ampucao Ridge (Benguet) and Cansomoroy Peak (Cebu).
Meanwhile, the Davao Regional Incident Management Team, who spearheaded the operation in extinguishing the Mt. Apo fire, invited the public to learn more about their technique by posting on its Facebook page. “This incident has been dealt with using the Incident Management System (ICS). We enjoin everyone to be trained in using the Incident Command System for more organized and streamlined response operations in future incidents and planned events.”
Lastly, here are a few reminders from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines on how mountaineers and travelers can live by the Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles:
Plan ahead and prepare. Be familiar with the place, people, and the most environment-friendly way of reaching your destination.
Travel and camp on durable grounds. Do not walk on places not made for human transit as trampling on vegetation can greatly alter an area.
Dispose of waste properly. Garbage does not belong in forests, beaches or summits. Whatever you bring to a place, make sure to bring all of it back home with you.
Leave what you find. Resist the temptation to take home a “souvenir” and leave natural resources for others to appreciate. Always remember to keep the environment as pristine as possible.
Minimize campfire impacts. Refrain from creating a campfire, but if absolutely necessary, only set it up on an existing pit to reduce damage to the area.
Respect wildlife. Refrain from playing, taunting, feeding or abusing local wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors. How would you feel if the group before you completely littered your destination? This will kill the experience for you; so remember to not do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.
Sources:
www.nwf.org
http://www.ucsusa.org/
PAGASA – DOST
https://www.facebook.com/DavaoRegionIMT/
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com
Each year, 10 billion trees are cut down, also cutting down the chances of future generations’ survival. Find out how you can do your share in saving the planet.
“When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.” – Native American saying
Trees are said to be the most essential organisms on the planet. According to Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies ecologist Thomas Crowther, trees cater to an array of ecosystem services for humans. They create an abundant supply of water and nutrients, stabilize soil, absorb carbon dioxide, generate oxygen and provide habitats for every part of ecosystem.
Fast Facts
3.04 trillion. The estimated number of trees worldwide. Accumulated through the use of satellite imagery, forest inventories, and supercomputer technologies, the international team of researchers was able to map the tree population at the square-kilometer level.
A ratio of 422 trees per person. Roughly 10 billion trees are cut down per year. Since the start of human civilization, the study led by Yale University shows that there has been a 46% decrease in the total global percentage of trees.
750 billion trees. The estimate number of trees found in the boreal forests containing coniferous trees and patches of permafrost of North America, Scandinavia and Russia, found to have the highest tree densities. These forests hold 24% of the global total of trees, while 43% of the total or 1.3 trillion trees were found in the tropical and subtropical forests.
Man VS Tree
Since the start of human civilization, negative human activities have become detrimental to natural ecosystems. These include the anthropogenic effects such as land use (ie. conversion of land for agricultural use, industrial and urban development.) As human population increases, the number of trees decline.
Crowther said that the decrease in the total number of trees made significant impacts on climate and human health.
Without trees, there will be higher chance of soil erosion. Its roots anchor the soil. These could lead to more disastrous events like flooding and landslide. Soil erosion could also alter health through silt entering water sources like streams and lakes, which decrease the quality of water.
Tree counts matters especially with the issue of climate change. According to Greenpeace, 300 billion tons of carbon or 40 times the annual greenhouse emission is stored in trees. It filters particulate matter to decrease air pollution. It also creates shades that mitigate the impact of urban heat island effect.
Step up for a Tree
Here are smart ways to save trees.
Paperless Billing. Telecommunications companies today offers paperless billing, you may opt to use this instead of getting your hard copy bill every month.
Choose recycled paper products.
In the modern age of computers and gadgets, you may keep data in soft copies.
In restaurant, use cloth napkin instead of paper napkins.
Be a volunteer. Join organization, which promotes green environment through planting trees.
Web Sources:
http://actrees.org/resources/local-resources/save-a-tree/
http://caboopaper.com/how-to-conserve-trees-10-tips/
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0904/Seeing-the-forest-for-the-trees-Why-latest-tree-census-matters
http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html
Planet has 10 times as many trees as previous estimate, research finds
http://news.yale.edu/2015/09/02/seeing-forest-and-trees-all-3-trillion-them
Earth Hour 2015 will be celebrated worldwide on March 28, 2015 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM on our local time zone. This annual global movement aims to get everyone involved to turn off their lights for 60 minutes as a symbol of their commitment to saving the planet.
But this voluntary action is only the first step in addressing the myriad environmental issues across the world. On the 9th edition of the campaign, the theme focuses on the power of people uniting to make a difference against the effects of climate change.
However, why not go beyond the 60 minutes? Just turning off the lights and enjoying a few activities during Earth Hour is a good start, but they’re simply not enough. As experts claimed, a single no-power hour does “pretty much nothing” in terms of having an actual impact on the environment.
So here are some things you can do, to not only reduce the costs on your electricity bill, but also help conserve the environment. You can follow these simple tips at home, your school or your workplace.
Keep it cool and clean. Use electric fans to keep you cool during the Hot and Dry Season but turn them off when not in use. If you choose to use an air conditioner, keep the doors and windows closed to keep warm air from coming in. Maintain your air conditioner by cleaning and replacing its air filters. A well-maintained appliance uses less energy and lasts longer.
Unplug it. Switch appliances such as televisions, computers and cellphones off when not in use. Unplug electronics once they are charged. Adapters plugged into outlets still use energy even if they are not charging.
Lights out. Switch to LED bulbs or CFLs. Turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms. During daylight, let the natural sunlight illuminate your home. Opt for LED bulbs or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) that last longer than incandescent bulbs. These can also save you as much as P200 on your monthly electricity bill. Soft tones and gloss paint on your walls can also help reflect more light so you can use lower wattage bulbs.
Keep the fridge full but not too full. An empty fridge generates a lot of energy. Packing it with organized allotment in the shelves means less surface area to cool. Every time a refrigerator is opened, up to 30% of cool air can escape. At the same time, warm air enters, requiring the fridge to use more energy in restoring cool air.
Get rid of inefficient appliances. Even if they’re still working, an aging appliance could cost you much more than you think. Getting rid of spare items can also cut down your energy bills yearly and give you a bit more space.
Save the trees. Reduce paper use by printing on both sides of the sheet. Save energy and conserve other resources by using e-mail instead of sending memos or faxing documents.
Set a designated laundry and iron day. During laundry day, wash and dry full loads using cold water. Separate lightweight clothes from dry towels and heavier cottons. Ironing clothes in bulk once a week also saves energy.
Use a power strip. Aside from supplying power to several appliances, a power strip gives you the convenience of turning them all at the same time using just one switch. This way, you don’t leave any appliances plugged in.
Invest in energy-efficient items. In some cases, the purchase price of energy-saving appliances might be higher, but in just a few years, it can save you heaps from energy cost and save you money in the long run.
Not all trees are created equal. Find out what types of trees we should plant in order to make Manila safe during the typhoon season.
Photo credit: Dennis Mirabueno
In a typhoon-prone country as ours, it is common to see roads, backyards and streets dotted with fallen trees after a severe storm. The sight is heart-wrenching: massive, sometimes centuries-old giants knocked down, their complex system of roots wrenched free from the soil. It becomes even more distressing when these trees cause damage to property, or even worse, fatalities.
Lately, there has been an increased public awareness on the importance of planting native trees. The logic is that since these trees are indigenous, they are made to withstand local weather, even extreme conditions such as droughts and typhoons. Check out some of the locally bred trees recommended by the Haribon Foundation for urban greening:
- Narra (critically endangered)
With a potential height of over 130 feet, this sturdy tree provides ample shade in open areas. It also boasts of a deeply penetrating and spreading root system, making it harder for typhoons to uproot. The good news is that it can be cultivated from the cuttings of its mature branches.
- Niyog-niyogan (not yet been assessed)
Don’t be deceived by the Niyog-Niyogan’s size. This shrub or small tree packs a punch! Growing up to a height of 22 feet, it’s not just a pretty ornamental plant, it also has deep, penetrating roots that make it resilient against strong winds. Here’s a bit of trivia: It’s even more typhoon-resilient than the much bigger Balete tree!
- Molave (endangered)
It’s fast-growing, requires only partial sunlight, and drought-resistant. What more can you ask for? The sturdiness of the Molave tree has been part of local knowledge for centuries. In fact, it was even mentioned in President Manuel L. Quezon’s speech: “I want our people to grow and be like the molave, strong and resilient, rising on the hillside, unafraid of the raging flood, the lightning or the storm, confident of its own strength.”
- Talisay (not threatened)
Forget the fire trees. Their red-orange leaves may look nice, but these exotic trees have softer frames. Why not plant more Talisay trees, whose leaves turn from yellow to red before they are shed off? Furthermore, they’re indigenous and sturdy.
- Pili (vulnerable)
Commonly cultivated in Bicol, this versatile tree can be used for a variety of products, from fragrance to baked delicacies. With a maximum height capacity of over 90 feet, this tree has been proven to survive the elements in typhoon-prone Bicol.
Check out the other trees that have made the typhoon-resilient shortlist. Which of these are familiar to you?
- Katmon (vulnerable)
- Kamagong (critically endangered)
- Bitaog (least concern)
- Tindalo (endangered)
- Lumbang (not threatened)
- Agoho (not threatened)
- Alim (not yet threatened)
- Banaba (not threatened)
- Antipolo (vulnerable)
- Tuai (not threatened)
- Tangisang Bayawak (not threatened)
- Kupang (not threatened)
- Lipote (not yet been assessed)
- Toog (not yet been assessed)
- Anonang (not threatened)
- Balitbitan (not yet been assessed)
- Binayuyu (not yet been assessed)
- Botong (not threatened)
- Takip Asin (not vulnerable)
Source: Haribon Foundation
Related link: Top 5 Typhoon-Resilient Trees
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