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Narcolepsy, cancer tipped as Medicine Prize opens Nobel week
Narcolepsy, cancer, or mRNA vaccine research could win the Nobel Medicine Prize on Monday when a week of announcements kicks off, but experts see no clear frontrunner for the Peace Prize. The awards, first handed out in 1901, were created by Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in his 1895 will to celebrate those who have "conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." The Medicine Prize is first out and will be announced in Stockholm on Monday around 11:30 a.m. (0930 GMT), followed by the awards for physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday. The Peace Prize, the most highly-anticipated Nobel and the only one announced in Oslo, will follow on Friday, before the Economics Prize rounds things off on October 9. The Medicine Prize has over the years crowned groundbreaking discoveries like the X-ray, penicillin, insulin, and DNA -- as well as now-disgraced awards for lobotomy and the insecticide DDT. Several Nobel watchers have suggested this year's prize could go to research into narcolepsy and the discovery of orexin, a neuropeptide that helps regulate sleep. It could also go to Hungarian-born Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the United States for research that led directly to the first mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19, made by Pfizer and Moderna. Their discovery has already won a slew of major medicine prizes, but the Nobel committee nowadays often waits decades to bestow its laurels to ensure the research stands the test of time. "Maybe the Academy thinks it needs to look into it more, but someday they should win," predicted Annika Ostman, science reporter at Swedish public radio SR. Gene engineering and IceCube telescope But Ostman said her guess for this year was on Kevan Shokat, an American biologist who figured out how to block the KRAS cancer gene behind a third of cancers, including challenging-to-treat lung, colon, and pancreatic tumors. T-cell therapy for cancer treatment and work on the human microbiome could also be contenders, said David Pendlebury, head of the Clarivate Analytics group which identifies Nobel-worthy research. "There are more people deserving of a Nobel Prize than there are Nobels to go around," he told AFP. Lars Brostrom, Ostman's colleague at SR, singled out two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler, and Michael Elowitz, for their work on synthetic gene circuits which established the field of synthetic biology. It enables scientists to redesign organisms by engineering them to have new abilities. But Brostrom noted the field could be seen as controversial, raising "ethical questions about where to draw the line in creating life". For the Physics Prize, twisted graphene or the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica were seen as possible winners, as well as the development of high-density data storage in the field of spintronics. Peace Prize to Iranian women? For Wednesday's Chemistry Prize, Pendlebury suggested next-generation DNA sequencing could get the nod, or research into how to target and deliver drugs to genes. Brostrom said he would love to see it go to US-based chemist Omar Yaghi for his work into porous materials known as MOFs, which can absorb poisonous gases or harvest water from desert air, and is an "important field for the future" with enormous potential for the environment. Criticism over a lack of gender and geographical diversity has plagued the Nobels over the years. US-based men have dominated the science fields, while women account for just six percent of overall laureates -- something the various award committees insist they are addressing. Among the names making the rounds for Thursday's Literature Prize are Russian author and outspoken Putin critic Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Chinese avant-garde writer Can Xue, British author Salman Rushdie, Caribbean-American writer Jamaica Kincaid and Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse. But for the Peace Prize, experts have been scratching their heads over possible winners, as conflicts rage around the globe. Some have pointed to the Iranian women protesting since the death in custody a year ago of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran's strict dress code imposed on women. Others suggest organizations documenting war crimes in Ukraine, or the International Criminal Court, which could one day be called upon to judge them. "I think that climate change is a really good focus for the Peace Prize this year," Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told AFP after a year of extreme weather around the world. For the Economics Prize, research on income and wealth inequality could be honored. Recent winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize Here is a list of the winners of the Nobel Medicine Prize in the past 10 years: 2022: Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Paabo for his discoveries on the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution. 2021: US duo David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for discoveries on human receptors responsible for our ability to sense temperature and touch. 2020: Americans Harvey Alter and Charles Rice, together with Briton Michael Houghton, for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, leading to the development of sensitive blood tests and antiviral drugs. 2019: William Kaelin and Gregg Semenza of the US and Britain's Peter Ratcliffe for establishing the basis of our understanding of how cells react and adapt to different oxygen levels. 2018: Immunologists James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, for figuring out how to release the immune system's brakes to allow it to attack cancer cells more efficiently. 2017: US geneticists Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael Young for their discoveries on the internal biological clock that governs the wake-sleep cycles of most living things. 2016: Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan for his work on autophagy -- a process whereby cells "eat themselves" -- which when disrupted can cause Parkinson's and diabetes. 2015: William Campbell, an Irish-US citizen, Satoshi Omura of Japan, and Tu Youyou of China for unlocking treatments for malaria and roundworm. 2014: American-born Briton John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser, and Edvard I. Moser of Norway for discovering how the brain navigates with an "inner GPS". 2013: Thomas C. Sudhof, a US citizen born in Germany, and James E. Rothman and Randy W. Schekman of the US for work on how the cell organizes its transport system. The post Narcolepsy, cancer tipped as Medicine Prize opens Nobel week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Climate change, deforestation imperil medicinal trees, plants
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB), the principal research arm and thinktank of the DENR, led the conduct of the ASEAN Conference on Medicinal Forest Trees in Pampanga, citing the huge potential of medicinal trees for the health and wellness of Filipinos. Some 117 participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan took part in the three-day conference last week where experts underscored the need to implement active conservation efforts to protect and propagate medicinal plants amidst climate change and other threats, noting that the country has yet to maximize the economic value of medicinal plants. Maria Lourdes G. Ferrer, ERDB director, said forest species studies reveal interconnected relationships between nature and human health used by indigenous people worldwide for disease treatment. Ferrer said there is a need to gather and preserve indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and medicinal forest trees given their benefits and potential for economic activity. "As we embark on this intellectual journey, let us remember that our discoveries have the potential to touch lives, alleviate suffering, and shape the course of healthcare and medicinal forest tree species conservation," Ferrer said. For his part, ERDB Assistant Director Conrado B. Marquez said habitat protection through active management of forests, and governance with the appropriate funding allocation are vital for medicinal forest trees to adapt and become resilient to climate change. Marquez said the ERDB is mandated to develop protocols on propagation and plantation development and management. "We are working now on a technology called tree fortification. We are trying to fortify trees in a manner that will make them more resilient to pests and to add to the viability and manageability of particular tree species," Marquez said. The objective of tree fortification is to protect threatened tree species and increase their population. The ERDB is also doing other vegetative propagation measures such as cloning to address the scarcity of species. Dr. Pastor Malabrigo Jr., professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, said that based on the database of medicinal species in the country 456 tree species have known medicinal value. "We have 3,500 tree species. It's safe to assume that we are underutilizing our plant resources. There are rare, threatened species, the public is not familiar with, which are not being used. We have to give attention to these," Malabrigo said. He encouraged the event poster presenters to publish their research on medicinal plants for people to recognize these and increase public awareness. The post Climate change, deforestation imperil medicinal trees, plants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PLDT, Smart work with Maynilad on reforestation and water stewardship
In line with continuing efforts to fight climate change and promote water security, the country's largest integrated telecommunications network PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. have teamed up with water solutions company Maynilad Water Services Inc. on various reforestation and water stewardship programs. PLDT and Smart recently supported Maynilad’s annual tree planting initiative “Plant for Life” at the La Mesa Watershed. This is a multi-site reforestation program that aims to recover denuded forests within critical watersheds that surround Metro Manila and nearby areas. The telcos, through their social outreach arm PLDT-Smart Foundation, adopted one hectare of the reforestation site within Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan. “Recognition of the importance of sustainability is shared within the MVP group of companies. At PLDT and Smart, we appreciate the significance of our forests and nature-based solutions in helping us mitigate and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change. It is thus in our best interest to pursue synergies with like-minded organizations, such as Maynilad, to amplify efforts to take care of our environment and of our customer communities,” said PLDT first vice president, chief sustainability officer and head of investor relations Melissa Vergel de Dios. As co-chair of the Planet Pillar of the United Nations Global Compact’s local chapter Global Compact Network Philippines, PLDT and Smart also tapped Maynilad as one of the speakers during a learning session for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises on responsible water stewardship and on efforts to combat plastic pollution in waterways. During the session, Maynilad’s head of quality, sustainability and resiliency Atty. Roel Espiritu highlighted the importance of engaging institutional partners and MSMEs for reforestation activities. “When we plant trees, we get to hit two birds with one stone. We create carbon sinks, and at the same time foster and maintain good quality of water,” he explained. The post PLDT, Smart work with Maynilad on reforestation and water stewardship appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
G20 to the last mile
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. These two words capture a deep philosophy: The world is one family. This is an all-embracing outlook that encourages us to progress as one universal family, transcending borders, languages and ideologies. During India’s G20 presidency, this has translated into a call for human-centric progress. As one Earth, we are coming together to nurture our planet. As one family, we support each other in the pursuit of growth. And we move together toward a shared future — one future — which is an undeniable truth in these interconnected times. The post-pandemic world order is very different from the world before it. There are three important changes, among others. There is a growing realization that a shift away from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric view is needed. The world is recognizing the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains. There is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions. Our G20 presidency has played the role of a catalyst in these shifts. In December 2022, when we took over the presidency from Indonesia, I had written that a mindset shift must be catalyzed by the G20. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalized aspirations of developing countries, the Global South and Africa. The Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the global South. Further, our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African union as a permanent member of the G20. An interconnected world means our challenges across domains are interlinked. This is the midway year of the 2030 agenda and many are noting with great concern that the progress on SDGs is off-track. The G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will spearhead the future direction of the G20 toward implementing SDGs. In India, living in harmony with nature has been a norm since ancient times and we have been contributing our share toward climate action even in modern times. Many countries of the global South are at various stages of development and climate action must be a complementary pursuit. Ambitions for climate action must be matched with actions on climate finance and transfer of technology. We believe there is a need to move away from a purely restrictive attitude of what should not be done, to a more constructive attitude focusing on what can be done to fight climate change. The Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy focus on keeping our oceans healthy. A global ecosystem for clean and green hydrogen will emerge from our presidency, along with a Green Hydrogen Innovation Center. In 2015, we launched the International Solar Alliance. Now, through the Global Biofuels Alliance, we will support the world to enable energy transitions in tune with the benefits of a circular economy. Democratizing climate action is the best way to impart momentum to the movement. Just as individuals make daily decisions based on their long-term health, they can make lifestyle decisions based on the impact on the planet’s long-term health. Just like Yoga became a global mass movement for wellness, we have also nudged the world with Lifestyles for Sustainable Environment. Due to the impact of climate change, ensuring food and nutritional security will be crucial. Millets, or Shree Anna, can help with this while also boosting climate-smart agriculture. In the International Year of Millets, we have taken millets to global palates. The Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition is also helpful in this direction. Technology is transformative but it also needs to be made inclusive. In the past, the benefits of technological advancements have not benefited all sections of society equally. India, over the last few years, has shown how technology can be leveraged to narrow inequalities, rather than widen them. For instance, the billions across the world that remain unbanked, or lack digital identities, can be financially included through digital public infrastructure. The solutions we have built using our DPI have now been recognized globally. Now, through the G20, we will help developing countries adapt, build, and scale DPI to unlock the power of inclusive growth. That India is the fastest-growing large economy is no accident. Our simple, scalable and sustainable solutions have empowered the vulnerable and the marginalized to lead our development story. From space to sports, economy to entrepreneurship, Indian women have taken the lead in various sectors. They have shifted the narrative from the development of women to women-led development. Our G20 presidency is working on bridging the gender digital divide, reducing labor force participation gaps and enabling a larger role for women in leadership and decision-making. For India, the G20 presidency is not merely a high-level diplomatic endeavor. As the Mother of Democracy and a model of diversity, we opened the doors of this experience to the world. Today, accomplishing things at scale is a quality that is associated with India. The G20 presidency is no exception. It has become a people-driven movement. Over 200 meetings will have been organized in 60 Indian cities across the length and breadth of our nation, hosting nearly 100,000 delegates from 125 countries by the end of our term. No Presidency has ever encompassed such a vast and diverse geographical expanse. It is one thing to hear about India’s demography, democracy, diversity and development from someone else. It is totally different to experience them first-hand. I am sure our G20 delegates would vouch for this. Our G20 presidency strives to bridge divides, dismantle barriers, and sow seeds of collaboration that nourish a world where unity prevails over discord, where shared destiny eclipses isolation. As the G20 president, we had pledged to make the global table larger, ensuring that every voice is heard and every country contributes. I am positive that we have matched our pledge with actions and outcomes. The post G20 to the last mile appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM urges ASEAN to call on developed nations towards climate change action
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments to climate change at the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates. During the intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit Plenary on Tuesday, Marcos said that climate change is the most urgent threat to the region's progress as the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. He added the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the form of more frequent and intense storms, floods, and droughts. "At COP28, ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," Marcos said. "These commitments include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building. We need these resources to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. Marcos also said that the Philippines will continue to prioritize international cooperation that will make ASEAN climate-smart and disaster-ready. He said that the country will work with its neighbors to harness the transformative potential of the agricultural sector to ensure food security for future generations. "The continued effectiveness of our Community-building efforts rests on a clear assessment of our strengths," Marcos said. "The Philippines will continue to champion for change that will strengthen our institutions, improve our decision-making, and uphold ASEAN Centrality." COP28 is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. In light of the Philippines' vulnerability to disasters, Marcos emphasized the country's commitment to fostering global collaboration. He stressed the importance of initiatives that enhance ASEAN's resilience to climate change and disasters, with a particular focus on the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. The post PBBM urges ASEAN to call on developed nations towards climate change action appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday underscored the strength of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organization and its commitment to regional integration. In his intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits here, Marcos Jr. said that ASEAN is poised to improve its macroeconomic fundamentals in the face of a prolonged geopolitical and socio-economic challenge. "With a projected growth rate of 4.9 percent next year and a steady rise in intra-ASEAN trade and foreign direct investment inflows, ASEAN is well-positioned to weather the storm," he said. Marcos Jr. also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to maintaining ASEAN as a competitive and integrated regional economy. He told the leaders that his administration's integration efforts include facilitating a rules-based multilateral trading system that is "open, free, and fair." Marcos Jr. also called for more concerted efforts to address the impact of climate change, which he said is the most urgent threat to ASEAN's progress. "At the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," he said. "Their commitments that include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building, in order to drive ASEAN's capabilities to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Marcos Jr. also announced that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. "We will fortify the foundations of our Community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter," he said. "We will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region," he added. During the 43rd ASEAN Summit opening remarks earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the regional bloc must work harder, become more solid, bolder, and more agile in order to achieve its goal of becoming an "epicentrum of growth." He also called for the development of a long-term technical plan that is relevant and in line with the hopes of the people, not only for the next five years but for the next 20 years until 2045. Widodo also stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality, saying that the bloc must be the "primary driving force" in shaping the region's external relations. He said that ASEAN must work with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and prosperity. "ASEAN is a large ship, and we have a major responsibility towards the hundreds of millions of people who are sailing together on it," Widodo said. "Despite having to sail through a storm, we as ASEAN leaders must ensure that this ship can continue to sail." In addition to the ASEAN leaders, the summit will also be attended by representatives from dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, India, and Australia. The post PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta earnings beat market expectations as ads revive
Facebook parent Meta on Wednesday beat market expectations for quarterly earnings powered by a reviving digital ad business. Meta reported a profit of $7.8 billion on $32 billion in revenue during the recently ended quarter, as the number of people using Facebook monthly rose to 3.03 billion. "We had a good quarter," Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in an earnings release. "We continue to see strong engagement across our apps and we have the most exciting roadmap I've seen in a while..." Meta had suffered a rough 2022 amid a souring economic climate, which forced advertisers to cut back on spending, and Apple's data privacy changes, which allowed users to block ad targeting, the pillar of Meta’s business. But like the other big US tech companies, Meta's share price has had a stellar 2023 that Zuckerberg in January said would be the "year of efficiency". "With two straight quarters of positive revenue growth and the first quarter of double-digit revenue growth since late 2021, Meta’s year of efficiency is off to a strong start," said Insider Intelligence analyst Debra Aho Williamson. "There's a lot to feel good about when it comes to Meta right now," Williamson added. In its earnings release, the company said that the number of ads on its various applications rose by 34 percent year-on-year in the second quarter. Analysts noted the greater interest from advertisers in Reels, the video format copied from TikTok, and a less gloomy economic context conducive to marketing spending. VR costs Meta's vow of austerity on spending brought an unprecedented round of cost-cutting that saw the company lay off tens of thousands of workers since last November. Meta said it had 71,469 employees at the end of June, a decrease of 14 percent from the same time a year earlier, according to the earnings report. The company has faced criticism over its gamble on the metaverse, the world of virtual reality that Meta believes will be the next frontier online and led it to change its name from Facebook in 2021. This to date has proved to be a bad bet with customers so far unenthused by the technology, even though Apple will enter the space some time next year with the release of its expensive VisionPro headset. Meta said in the earnings report that it expects its operating losses at the unit responsible for VR to "increase meaningfully" in the months ahead. The company has also jumped to take advantage of the chaos at Twitter, which has now been renamed to X. Earlier this month Meta rushed out the release of Threads, a text-only app that saw more than 100 million downloads in just days, though the users' long term interest remains unproven. On AI, Zuckerberg has chosen a different track than Microsoft and its partnership with OpenAI. Meta instead has endorsed a more "open source" approach and made its Llama generative AI technology available to researchers and companies to adapt to their own needs. However, investors will be curious to know how Meta expands use of generative AI for its own products. Zuckerberg indicated in a recent podcast that his company is working on an AI platform that would allow creators and advertisers to more efficiently work together. The post Meta earnings beat market expectations as ads revive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘As long as we have AC’: Phoenix heat shows gap between US rich, poor
Melanie Floyd took her kids to the zoo in Phoenix in the morning, when temperatures in the heat wave roasting the city and much of the US southwest were still bearable. Standing before a turtle exhibit, she downplayed this extreme weather event in a world grappling with climate change. "As long as we have AC and as long as everyone is making smart choices," this stay-at-home mother aged 32 told AFP, "staying hydrated, going in the shade, staying cool, not overexerting themselves, I think it's tolerable." At her home it is, indeed, nice and cool. She keeps the air conditioning between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (23 and 26 degrees Celsius) so she can look after her kids, aged two and six, comfortably as they play with coloring books and crafts. Outside, day after day for more than three weeks, the temperature in Phoenix is surpassing a hard-to-fathom 110F. The heatwave affecting much of the southwest and southern United States -- including the record temperatures in Phoenix -- is igniting debate on how fast global warming is moving. For Floyd, this particular weather event is no big deal. "You have to fluctuate as the weather fluctuates, so you have to be flexible with it," Floyd said. In this desert city many people that spoke to AFP expressed similar views about the rising frequency of brutally dangerous heat as global warming caused by human activity grinds on: One must learn to live with it. - Living without AC - For many of them life is a series of mad dashes from offices to restaurants to shops, all with air conditioning cranked up good and frosty. In the city center and well-to-do suburbs, people do not think twice about leaving their car running while they get out to do an errand, so as to keep it cool for when they come back. But in less wealthy areas, heat like this is another thing altogether. "If the temperatures go on like this, many people will not be able to cope," said Rosalia Licea, 37, who is raising five kids on her own. She lives in a mobile home park where most of the trailers are from the 1950s. Early in this heat wave her air conditioning broke down. For two days the temperature inside their mobile home hit 97F. The whole family had to take refuge in the room of the eldest child, which had a window AC unit. One of the smaller kids started having headaches. Licea, who hails from Mexico, works several low-paying jobs to make ends meet. She does not have the $2,000 it would cost to buy a new AC system. So she came up with a makeshift solution: spend $800 to fix the broken one. "I had no choice, what with my kids," she said. "It was the priority, more than buying groceries or paying my rent." Even with the new motor in the old AC unit, one of the air conduits is broken so the cold does not reach her living room. That is something else she will have to pay to have fixed. - AC going full blast - Licea tried but failed to qualify for aid offered by the city or some utility companies for people to upgrade their air conditioning units. A study in 2022 by Arizona State University found that while mobile homes make up five percent of all housing in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and its suburbs, they account for 30 percent of indoor heat-related deaths in the city. "It is easy to say 'we can adapt' when you have access to everything," Licea said. "It is different for us." A fire broke out some days ago at her mobile home park, where the residences are hooked up directly to electrical pylons through shoddy connections. One mobile home was destroyed. The fire is believed to have started because of an electrical overload, with washing machines, dryers, fridges and full-blast air conditioning all operating at once. After 19 years in Arizona, Licea lives in fear of an electrical short circuit. So she mainly prepares salads for meals and tries to avoid turning on the lights to keep her electricity consumption, and the temperature, as low as possible. "If I could move to a state that is not so hot I would do it," Licea said. rfo/dw/bfm © Agence France-Presse The post ‘As long as we have AC’: Phoenix heat shows gap between US rich, poor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rich-poor split could tighten ‘grip of poverty’: World Bank chief
The new head of the World Bank said Tuesday that growing divides between rich and poor nations risked deepening poverty in the developing world, at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in India. Many countries are still recovering from the double blow of the coronavirus pandemic and fallout from Russia's war in Ukraine -- which hit global fuel and commodity prices. Climate change, meanwhile, is most painfully affecting some of the poorest countries least able to cope. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, said he feared a lack of progress was in danger of splitting the global economy, to the detriment of the world's poorest. "The thing that keeps me up at night is a mistrust that is quietly pulling the Global North and South apart at a time when we need to be uniting," Banga told the two-day meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs in Gandhinagar, Gujarat state. "The Global South's frustration is understandable. In many ways they are paying the price for our prosperity," said Indian-born Banga, a naturalized American citizen who took up the bank post last month after being nominated by US President Joe Biden. "When they should be ascendant, they're concerned promised resources will be diverted to Ukraine's reconstruction, they feel energy rules aren't applied evenly, constraining ambition, and they're worried the grip of poverty will pull down another generation." The World Bank said it is working to increase its financial capability -- including by raising hybrid capital from shareholders -- to spur growth and jobs, but said the future economy could not rely on expansion at the cost of the environment. "The simple truth is: We cannot endure another period of emission-intensive growth," Banga said. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, chair and host of the get-together, launched talks on Monday by reminding leaders of their responsibility "to steer the global economy towards strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth". The United States says efforts to reform multilateral lenders such as the World Bank and other regional institutions could unlock $200 billion over the next decade. Little progress on debt Debt restructuring deals for low-income nations have been a key focus of The Group of 20 major economies, but officials suggest there has been little headway. China, the world's second-largest economy and a major lender to several stressed, low-income countries in Asia and Africa, has so far resisted any one-size-fits-all debt restructuring formula, officials said. More than half of all low-income countries are near or in debt distress, double the amount in 2015, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. Yellen on Sunday said a deal on Zambian debt had taken "too long to negotiate", but added she hoped debt treatments for Ghana and Sri Lanka could be "finalized quickly". Finance ministers from regional rivals and neighbors India and China met early Tuesday, without commenting to reporters. The G20 talks have also focused on multilateral development banks' reform, cryptocurrency regulations, and easier access to financing to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change. A newly agreed first step on a fairer distribution of tax revenues from multinational firms -- reached by 138 countries last week -- is also set to be delivered. Multinationals, especially tech firms, are currently able to shift profits easily to countries with low tax rates even though they carry out only a small part of their activities there. The post Rich-poor split could tighten ‘grip of poverty’: World Bank chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Temperature reaches new highs as heatwaves scorch the globe
Temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heatwaves scorched parts of the Northern Hemisphere, triggering health warnings and fanning wildfires in the latest stark reminder of the effects of global warming. From North America to Europe and Asia, people gulped water and sought shelter from the sweltering heat, with the mercury expected to reach new highs in several places in the next few days. Europe, the globe's fastest-warming continent, was bracing for its hottest-ever temperature this week on Italy's islands of Sicily and Sardinia, where a high of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) is predicted, according to the European Space Agency. "We're from Texas and it’s really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it’s even hotter here," Colman Peavy, 30, said as he sipped a capuccino at an outside terrasse in central Rome with his wife Ana at the start of a two-week Italian vacation. With June already having been the world's hottest on record, according to the EU weather monitoring service, Mother Nature seemed intent on July not falling far behind. China reported a new high for mid-July in the northwest of the country, where temperature reached 52.2C in the Xinjiang region's village of Sanbao, breaking the previous high of 50.6C set six years ago. In nearby Turpan city, where ground surface temperatures sizzled at 80C in some parts, authorities have told workers and students to stay home and ordered special vehicles to spray water on major thoroughfares, the meteorological body said. In Cyprus, where temperatures are expected to remain above 40C through Thursday, a 90-year-old man died as a result of heatstroke and three other seniors were hospitalized, health officials said. In Japan, heatstroke alerts were issued in 32 out of the country’s 47 prefectures, mainly in central and southwestern regions. At least 60 people in Japan were treated for heatstroke, local media reported, including 51 who were taken to hospital in Tokyo. The heat was enough for at least one man to dispense with social mortification in Hamamatsu city. "It’s honestly unbearable without a parasol, although I have to admit it is a bit embarrassing," he told national broadcaster NHK of the umbrella in his hand. Japan's highest-ever temperature was 41.1C first recorded in Kumagaya city in 2018. 'Oppressive' US heat In western and southern states in the US, which are used to high temperatures, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a "widespread and oppressive" heatwave roasted the region. California's Death Valley, often among the hottest places on Earth, reached a near-record 52C Sunday afternoon. In Arizona, the state capital Phoenix recorded its 17th straight day above 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), as temperatures hit 113F (45C) on Sunday afternoon. "We're used to 110, 112 (degrees Fahrenheit) ... But not the streaks," Nancy Leonard, a 64-year-old retiree from the nearby suburb of Peoria, told AFP. "You just have to adapt". Southern California was fighting numerous wildfires, including one in Riverside County that has burned more than 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) and prompted evacuation orders. Historic highs forecast In Europe, Italians were warned to prepare for "the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time," with the health ministry sounding a red alert for 16 cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Temperatures were due to hit 42C-43C in Rome on Tuesday, smashing the record of 40.5C set in August 2007. Nevertheless, visitors thronged to tourist hot spots like the Colosseum and the Vatican. "I'm from South Africa. We're used to this heat," said Jacob Vreunissen, 60, a civil engineer from Cape Town. "You have to drink lots of water, obviously wear your hat and that’s about it." Greece saw a respite on Monday, as temperatures eased a bit and the Acropolis in Athens resumed its regular opening hours after shutting for a few hours during the previous three days. But a new heatwave was expected from Thursday and meteorologists warned of a heightened risk of wildfires amid strengthening winds from the Aegean Sea. In Romania, temperatures are expected to reach 39C on Monday across most of the country. Little reprieve is forecast for Spain, where meteorologists warned that "abnormally high" temperatures on Monday, including up to 44C in the southern Andalusia region in what would be a new regional record. Killer rains Along with the heat, parts of Asia have also been battered by torrential rain. South Korea's president vowed Monday to "completely overhaul" the country's approach to extreme weather, after at least 40 people were killed in recent flooding and landslides during monsoon rains, which are forecast to continue through Wednesday. In northern India, relentless monsoon rains have reportedly killed at least 90 people, following burning heat. Major flooding and landslides are common during India's monsoons, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity. It can be difficult to attribute a particular weather event to climate change, but many scientists insist that global warming is behind the intensification of heatwaves. The post Temperature reaches new highs as heatwaves scorch the globe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Building climate-resilient communities
Subsidiaries of the Aboitiz Group have consolidated its efforts with the Climate Change Commission, the local government of Toledo City in Cebu, Department of Science and Technology-PAGASA, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to help create resilient, disaster-ready and climate-smart communities. A five-day training workshop to craft an enhanced and science-based Local Climate Change Action Plan was recently held in Bato, Toledo City, the host community of Aboitiz Power-TVI. Toledo City Mayor Joie Perales: “This will upgrade the skills of our local responders and improve our readiness for disasters. I know that our people will truly benefit from this.” The participants were equipped with knowledge based on methods and strategies to produce targeted and responsive climate-action plans. They were also upskilled in developing risk-mitigating LCCAPs anchored on science and evidence-based analysis, which includes biodiversity and ecosystem-based adaptation interventions. “We recognize that our communities and local governments are at the forefront of the climate crisis,” said Climate Change Commission Deputy executive director Romell Antonio Cuenca. “It is imperative for local government units to be prepared for the challenges of the changing climate. LGUs should invest more in crafting and planning appropriate measures to adapt to climate impacts. That is why CCC and Aboitiz came all the way here to Toledo to increase the technical capacity of our LGUs, so that they can develop their local climate change action plans, which will serve as their pathway to resiliency,” he added. AboitizPower Thermal Group (VisMin) president and COO Ronaldo Ramos believes this could spark that transformation in Toledo City, and that the project can be replicated in all the other communities where AboitizPower thermal assets operate: “We believe that by bolstering Toledo City’s climate resilience and adaptation, we can ensure the continuity of our mission to energize Cebu and the Visayas, and, more importantly, secure a sustainable future for Toledo. We’re optimistic about the completion of their LCCAP this year.” At a national level, the LCCAP training workshop is in line with some tenets of the Philippine Development Plan on establishing livable communities, strengthening social protection (chapter 3.2), and accelerating climate action and strengthening disaster resilience. Through this project, Aboitiz also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on reducing inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13), at a global level. The post Building climate-resilient communities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open
I am very worried about where the world stands on climate. Countries are far off-track in meeting climate promises and commitments. The climate agenda is being undermined. At a time when we should be accelerating action, there is backtracking. At a time when we should be filling gaps, those gaps are growing. Meanwhile, the human rights of climate activists are being trampled. The most vulnerable are suffering the most. Current policies are taking the world to a 2.8-degree temperature rise by the end of the century. That spells catastrophe. Yet the collective response remains pitiful. We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open — with far too many willing to bet it all on wishful thinking, unproven technologies and silver bullet solutions. It’s time to wake up and step up. It’s time to rebuild trust based on climate justice. It’s time to accelerate the just transition to a green economy. Limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. We must consider this as a moment of hope. But it will require carbon emissions to be cut by 45 percent by 2030. To help get us there, I have proposed a Climate Solidarity Pact — in which all big emitters would make extra efforts to cut emissions; and wealthier countries support emerging economies to do so. And I have put forward an Acceleration Agenda to supercharge these efforts. I urge governments to make it happen: By hitting fast forward on their net zero deadlines — so that developed countries commit to reaching net-zero as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050. Developed countries must abide by their commitments on finance, adaptation and loss and damage. They must also push multilateral development banks to adapt their business models, skill sets and approaches to risk — in order to leverage far more private finance at reasonable cost to developing countries to allow for a massive increase in investment in renewables. That investment is the only way to achieve global energy security independent of the present unpredictable market fluctuations. And in every country, without exception, civil society voices must be heard. They must be at the table helping to shape policy, and on the ground helping to deliver change. All of this action must be global. It must be immediate. And it must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry. Let’s face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It’s fossil fuels — period. The solution is clear: The world must phase out fossil fuels in a just and equitable way — moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground where they belong — and massively boosting renewable investment in a just transition. The fossil fuel industry and its enablers have a special responsibility. Last year, the oil and gas industry reaped a record $4 trillion windfall in net income. Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only 4 cents went to clean energy and carbon capture… combined. Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral. The world needs the industry to apply its massive resources to drive, not obstruct, the global move from fossil fuels to renewables and reap the benefits in they themselves lead the transition. The world is watching — and the planet can’t wait. Excerpts from the Secretary-General’s opening remarks to journalists at a press conference on Climate, 15 June 2023. The post We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A moral problem, a power problem, a practical problem
We are today facing — when we look at the present international financial architecture — a moral problem, a power problem and a practical problem. First of all, a moral problem. We all remember that vaccines were not evenly distributed. We all remember that Europe, the United States and other rich countries were able to print trillions to support their economies after Covid, for the recovery of their economies, to support their populations. Then, because there was a huge global liquidity problem, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) was able to issue Special Drawing Rights. Special drawing rights is money created out of nothing. The countries of the European Union, to which my country belongs — 500 million people, a little bit less — received $160 billion. The African continent, three times the population, received $34 billion. There is something fundamentally wrong in the rules, because these are the rules of the system that allow for these injustices to take place. And then middle-income countries, and it’s particularly relevant for small island developing states, do not face adequate debt relief mechanisms, and do not face the possibility of having access to concessional funding at the levels that will be necessary, because they are considered to be middle-income countries. Which again, is a deep injustice, because small island developing states, in particular, have a high level of vulnerability because of the structure of their economies, because of their geographic location, their size, and because of the enormous impact they suffer in relation to climate change. So, there is a serious moral problem with the international financial system. And there is a power problem. The Bretton Woods institutions were created after the Second World War. Obviously, the structure of what was created, with smaller limitations during the last decades, reflects the power relations that existed after the Second World War. They are outdated, and so the system is unfair and dysfunctional. The system needs reform, to adapt it to the realities of today’s global economy. And power questions are always difficult to solve. And then, we have a number of practical issues. Even with the present system, much more could have been done. And much more can be done in relation to a better link between climate and finance and stronger support for adaptation, in particular in small island developing states. A lot more can be done in multiplying the effect of the work of multilateral development banks, if they change their business model — a new approach to risk — and they are able to use their resources to leverage massive access to private finance at reasonable costs for developing countries. Much more can be done in new instruments that allow, for instance, swaps between debt and investment in adaptation for climate change. So, there are lots of things that can be done if there is political will to do so, even if we will not be able to solve — and I hope we will be sooner or later — the moral problem and the power problem. We have presented our sustainable development goals report, and we will have the SDG Summit in September, together with a Summit on Financing for Development. We are preparing a policy brief to all member states that will be issued in June on the reform of the international financial architecture. When the G20 meets, (I will) insist on the need for these moral, power and practical problems to be solved. Excerpts from the UN Secretary-General’s opening remarks at the joint press conference with Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica, 15 May 2023. The post A moral problem, a power problem, a practical problem appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New Ayala wind project opens in Ilocos Norte
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Friday led the inauguration of the Ayala-owned P11.8-billion Pagudpud Wind, a project that is shaping up to be the country’s largest wind farm. “Buenas tayo (We're lucky) that we have the potential for the wind farm. When I became governor, there were so many groups that came before and presented the wind map showing the potential in Ilocos Norte. Now, we have this expansion, which is the biggest single wind farm project in the whole of the Philippines,” Marcos said during his speech at the inaugural ceremony. Citing the urgent need for clean energy in the market, Marcos also encouraged more investors and developers to expand their renewable energy portfolio “We need new technologies, we need to continue to work on all sources of renewable energy…. We have to adjust to climate change and adapt to the effects of climate change,” he said. “The time will come, hopefully soon, that we adjust our power mix in favor of renewable energy,” he added. ACEN Corp., the publicly listed energy arm of the Ayala Group, completed Phase 1 of the wind project, which has 80-MW capacity, in the first quarter of the year. The company expects to commercially operate the entire 160-MW Pagudpud Wind before the end of December 2025. Once the project is fully complete, it will be the country’s largest wind farm, which can help power 123,875 homes and cut approximately 344,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Pagudpud Wind is ACEN’s third wind development in Ilocos Norte, along with NorthWind in Bangui and North Luzon Renewables in Pagudpud. ACEN already secured a long-term market for the project through the Green Energy Auction Program of the Department of Energy auctioned in June 2022. “We're proud that ACEN remains at the forefront of renewable energy in the Philippines. We see this as a meaningful contribution to our national target of achieving a 35 percent share of renewables to our total power output by 2030, from the current level of around 22 percent,” Ayala Corporation chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said during his speech. “We thank the province of Ilocos Norte for the continued trust and support for pioneering and critical infrastructure projects,” he added. According to ACEN, its Pagudpud Wind project is different from other wind developments in the country because it uses the latest wind technology, Siemens Gamesa 132 and 145. It also comprises 32 wind turbine generators, each capable of producing 5 MW of power. The project also includes a 115kV centrally located substation and a transmission line connecting to NLR's existing transmission line in Bangui. Since it kicked off the construction of the project in 2019, ACEN has generated 1,200 jobs for Filipinos. Including the NorthWind and NLR, the ACEN corporation has created 4,030 actual jobs, both in operations and in construction, in Ilocos Norte since 2014. To date, ACEN has the largest wind portfolio in the country at 416MW — 266MW in operation and 150MW under construction. Of these, almost 90 percent are in Ilocos Norte. The post New Ayala wind project opens in Ilocos Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Inaugural AI summit sets stage for Phl future redefined by AI
Aboitiz Data Innovation, the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence arm of the Aboitiz Group, successfully held the inaugural AI Summit in the Philippines from 10 to 11 May 2023 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay, Philippines. In partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines, Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Google Cloud, the groundbreaking event broke open the discussion and incited action on shaping the future of the country with AI. The summit brought together over 1,000 industry professionals from various sectors, marking a significant milestone in the country’s technological landscape. The Aboitiz Group is currently undergoing a "Great Transformation" to become the Philippines’ first "techglomerate" with ADI at its forefront, operationalizing DSAI to transform data into business and sustainability outcomes to better serve the needs of its customers and stakeholders. The "AI Summit PH 2023: Redefining the Future with AI" forum featured real-world use cases of data being turned into actionable insights and deep-dived into discussions on the challenges, opportunities and advancements within the AI and tech space. The AI Summit PH 2023 was opened with a captivating keynote speech titled “Reimagining a Sustainable and Equitable Philippines with AI” delivered by Third District of Negros Occidental Representative and Housing and Urban Development Chairperson Jose Francisco Benitez. In his address, Benitez highlighted the pivotal role of technological innovation in promoting national development, as heralded by the Philippine constitution. He emphasized the need for collective action in equipping the people with the necessary skills and fostering innovation to adapt, compete and flourish in a brave new world. “A digital future is our national destiny. Let us work together to harness its benefits for all,” Benitez said. [caption id="attachment_132920" align="aligncenter" width="1501"] Third District of Negros Occidental Representative and Housing and Urban Development chairperson Jose Francisco Benitez inspired the crowd at the AI Summit PH 2023 with his message on the power of AI and innovation in promoting national development. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ABOITIZ)[/caption] Through a series of engaging events, including talks, fireside chats, panel discussions, knowledge sessions and networking opportunities, the AI Summit PH 2023 provided a platform for industry leaders, tech innovators and game-changers to share valuable insights and actionable use cases of AI implementation. Attendees were exposed to a diverse range of topics, exploring the immense potential of AI in revolutionizing various sectors, driving sustainable urban development, transforming financial services, powering sustainable smart cities and operationalizing DSAI. Google Cloud Southeast Asia’s Regional Customer Solutions Manager Richard Coombes delivered a presentation on how Google is bringing AI to users, business and society. He also participated in a panel discussion on Generative AI with leaders from ADI and Amazon Web Services. Tiffany Adriana, Google Data Analytics - Southeast Asia Customer Solution Consultant joined experts from Connected Women and KPMG Philippines to discuss data-driven foundations with a focus on data literacy and inclusion. The AI Summit PH 2023 also served as an exceptional platform for networking and collaboration, fostering connections among industry professionals, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with tech innovators and game-changers, expanding their professional networks and exploring potential partnerships. During the two-day summit, ADI and Connected Women launched its partnership on empowering the latter’s members to take on advanced services such as data handling, language annotation and image annotation for ADI’s Data Science and Artificial intelligence projects. ADI and Mila’s partnership on building responsible AI solutions for the power sector was also announced during the Summit through a ceremonial signing. Mila, headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, focuses its mission on core research areas such as health, environment and climate change, and AI ethics. Mila extends its expertise and leadership in AI to deliver advances that will benefit all of society. On the financial services front, LBC Express, Inc., ADI and UnionBank signed a tripartite agreement to champion financial sustainability at the inaugural AI Summit. Through this initiative, LBC clients will have access to small business financing from UnionBank to help finance their expansion plans. The SeekCap Embedded Scoring Agreement was also signed by UBX and ADI during the event. “Let me congratulate Aboitiz Data Innovation on spearheading the first Artificial Intelligence Summit. We laud your efforts in forging our path to national advancement through technological research and innovation as you forge strong partnerships in the field of technology,” shared Vice President of the Philippines Sara Z. Duterte in an official statement. “This active pursuit to explore artificial intelligence and find ways to use it positively for progress facilitates a culture of futures-thinking and preparedness in society,” she added. On the second day of the summit, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy presented an overview of the DSAI landscape in the Philippines and future prospects of these technologies within the country. Uy said, “Digital transformation is about constantly adapting and optimizing new solutions to the ever-changing needs of society, and it starts with deeper and more meaningful partnerships between the government and the private sector. And we all share a common goal of transforming the country and accelerating its progress through the use of all these emerging technologies.” Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Executive Officer of ADI, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response to the first-ever AI Summit in the country and the active participation of industry and government leaders and diverse professionals. “We are thrilled with the success of the AI Summit, which surpassed our expectations in terms of attendance and engagement. This event truly showcases the potential of AI to revolutionize industries and drive sustainable development in the Philippines. We are proud to have provided a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations that will shape the future of AI in the Philippines,” stated Hardoon. ADI plans to build on the success of the AI Summit PH 2023 and continue driving AI innovation to transform businesses and government and advance communities in the Philippines and beyond. They remain committed to advancing AI technologies, fostering industry partnerships and empowering businesses to harness the transformative power of AI for sustainable growth and development. ### The post Inaugural AI summit sets stage for Phl future redefined by AI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CCC, Paete LGU partner for climate resiliency, sustainability
The Climate Change Commission continues to work with local government units in a collective effort to address climate change and work toward a more resilient and sustainable future for the Philippines. The CCC welcomed the local government of Paete, Laguna’s submission of the Local Climate Change Action Plan for 2021-2026 and Annual Investment Program for 2023, which were personally handed over by Paete Mayor Ronald B. Cosico. The LCCAP outlines the LGU's strategies and actions to address climate change impacts on their community, infrastructure and economy, while the AIP contains the programs, activities and projects of the LGU, including on climate action. The CCC commended the Paete LGU for submitting its LCCAP and AIP and will further collaborate with the town in enhancing its plans and programs to make them aligned with the national framework and international commitments on climate resilience. “Patuloy na susuportahan ng CCC ang bayan ng Paete sa pagpapatupad ng mga aksyon sa pagbabago ng klima at matiyak ang katatagan, hindi lang ng Paete, kundi ng buong bansa (The CCC will continue to support Paete in the implementation of actions on climate change to ensure the well-being not only of Paete but also of the entire country),” said CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje. According to Cosico, the submission of the LCCAP is a significant milestone for the town as it demonstrates the LGU's commitment to protect and enhance the well-being of its constituents. "Ang pagbabago ng klima ay isa sa mga bantang kinakaharap ng aming komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng LCCAP, makakagawa kami ng mga konkretong hakbang upang makapag-adapt at mabawasan ang mga epekto nito (Climate change is one of the threats our community faces. Through the LCCAP, we can do concrete steps to adapt and mitigate its effects)," he said. Paete is one of the LGUs in the Philippines regularly affected by climate change impacts such as typhoons, flooding and landslides. By submitting its LCCAP to the CCC, the LGU is now eligible for various technical and financial assistance, including access to the People's Survival Fund. The PSF is a domestic funding mechanism that supports the implementation of climate resilience and adaptation programs of local communities in various areas such as agriculture, water resource management and disaster risk reduction and management. Cosico shared the ongoing initiatives and best practices of the town in climate resilience, including reforestation, sustainable agriculture and investment in renewable energy. Paete was among the awardees of the Seal of Good Local Governance in 2019. To further boost its local climate change initiatives, the CCC will connect Paete LGU with relevant development partners. The CCC will work with the local government to create a climate-resilient, climate-smart and sustainable community in Paete, which can serve as a model for other LGUs in the country. The LCCAP is a key deliverable of the LGUs to the CCC, as mandated by Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act, and Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2021-068. The CCC endeavors to enable all LGUs in the country to develop, implement and enhance LCCAPs that address the specific climate change risks facing their communities. As of 17 April 2023, 82.57 percent or 1,416 out of 1,715 LGUs in the country have already submitted their LCCAPs to the CCC. Visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPHL. The post CCC, Paete LGU partner for climate resiliency, sustainability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S.-South Korea grant enhances climate resilience of Phl cities
On 22 March, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, signed a P111.5 million ($2 million) grant partnership agreement to boost the capacities of Philippine cities to adapt to, mitigate and manage the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Through this grant funding, KOICA will support the implementation of USAID’s five-year, P836.5 million ($15 million) Climate Resilient Cities Project that benefits the partner cities of Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi and Zamboanga. KOICA’s technical assistance will enhance the capacity of local government units to develop guidelines for and use climate adaptation technology. More than 180 Philippine officials and stakeholders will also be invited to participate in capacity-building programs organized in the Philippines and Korea. USAID and KOICA will also support the six LGUs and other stakeholders to more effectively disseminate climate-related information to local communities; increase access to climate financing for economic and social development; and promote natural climate solutions that strengthen cities’ resilience to climate change. Additionally, the governments of the United States and Korea will soon launch a partnership to prevent and reduce marine pollution in Manila Bay. This partnership also seeks to enhance knowledge and influence social and behavioral changes for marine pollution reduction and prevention. This latest agreement between USAID and KOICA follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2021 where the two leading development agencies agreed to strategically collaborate on priority programs, including climate change-related initiatives, to advance development in the Philippines. “As the United States and Korea are among the largest bilateral donors in the Philippines, this momentous partnership of USAID, KOICA and the Philippine government will bring together our accumulated experience and technical expertise to build climate change and disaster resilience in the country,” KOICA country director Eunsub Kim said. “For 70 years, the United States and Korea have worked together to pursue mutual goals based on our core values of democracy and human rights,” said USAID Philippines mission director Ryan Washburn. “The United States has pledged to strengthen this alliance and broaden the focus to address issues of critical importance to the Indo-Pacific region and the world. In particular, we will deepen our cooperation in addressing the climate crisis, reducing plastic waste and promoting advanced technologies. We will also enhance our economic cooperation and people-to-people ties,” he added. The Philippines consistently places high in global rankings on climate change risk and vulnerability. With an average of 20 typhoons per year and frequent floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone nations. According to the 2022 World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked first out of 193 countries with the highest disaster risks. Between 2011 and 2021, the country incurred more than P670 billion worth of damage and losses due to tropical cyclones alone. The negative impacts of climate change and disasters severely impede national economic development and worsen poverty. Thus, one of the top priorities for sustainable development is to strengthen national and local climate resilience systems. The USAID-KOICA partnership supports the Philippine government’s 2023-2028 strategy framework goal to “enhance adaptive capacity and resilience of communities and ecosystems to natural hazards and climate change.” The post U.S.-South Korea grant enhances climate resilience of Phl cities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Five ways Metro Manila can be made a better city
Metro Manila is forecast to become a global power city, but that development is challenged by rapid urbanization. The UN Habitat sees climate change, inequality, poverty and other social problems arising from poorly managed cities. Is there a way out of Metro Manila’s problems? Architect and urban designer Chintan Raveshia and urban planner and sustainability consultant Tony Chan of Singapore-based Arup stress that urban development should also consider people’s aspirations, their changing needs and expectations, and the collective identity of the residents. Raveshia says stakeholders should first ask themselves the most fundamental question: “What’s the identity of the city and how do we make its residents proud?” As an example, “Singapore, a city high on everyone’s liveability list, is also working with citizens and grassroots organizations to inculcate a sense of ‘lovability’ for the city. This helps to strengthen societal bonds, increase equity, improve community safety, and exude pride and a feeling of ownership of the city among the residents.” Chan believes that successful sustainable urban development goes hand in hand with the capability to enhance people’s quality of life. “We must develop and harness models of development that have low-carbon targets, that are also just, secure and enhances the quality of life for all residents.” If Singapore reclaims lands for more affordable housing and Melbourne builds accessible green spaces to promote social interaction, for instance, what plans would likewise best fit Metro Manila’s sustainable and livable future while maintaining its identity? Here are five ways the country’s main political and economic hub can be made much better for its residents. Greater accessibility for all. While Metro Manila is the Philippines’ major economic driver, accounting for 32 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, it’s often challenged in sustaining accessible living conditions for residents across all social classes. The UK-based The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Metro Manila 105th out of 139 cities in the Global Liveability Index 2022. The increasing population density in Metro Manila has resulted in traffic gridlock, scarce open spaces, high carbon footprint, unaffordable housing and unequal income opportunities. Urban planners and developers suggest mixed-use planning in the metropolis and coastal developments where residents across all walks of life are can live healthy, affordable and sustainable lifestyles, with residential, commercial and office spaces integrated within a single development. Green open spaces. Despite land scarcity, Singapore manages to be one of the greenest cities in the world with over 400 parks, more than 3,300 hectares of nature reserve and over 300 kilometers of park connector network. Studies shows that Metro Manila has only 5 square meters of green space available per person, a number well below the 9 square meters set by the World Health Organization.COVID-19 had the entire world reassess their health conditions, lifestyle practices and environmental situations. The impact was even more drastic in Metro Manila due to population density, crowded spaces and insufficient parks and open areas. Aside from improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces also moderate temperatures during the warm season. Enhanced human health and wellbeing. Cities with sufficient healthcare facilities, access to health coverage and infrastructure that enhance well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle produce prosperous societies. The way cities are planned, designed and executed has a crucial impact on how people live. While there is evident progress in Metro Manila’s health sector, rapid urbanization continues to pose risks in communities due to overcrowded neighborhoods, vehicular emissions, heavy traffic, pollution and flood-prone areas. Resilient communities. Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities and systems to adapt, survive and grow in the face of stress and shocks, and even transform when conditions require it. The Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world most affected by climate change in the past 20 years, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Well-planned and executed urban designs have the power to build safe and resilient communities against that danger. Infrastructure like proper bike lanes and walkable streets ensure residents’ safety, accessibility and comfort, while science and technology-based solutions can build flexible structures, multi-use systems and technologies that can help residents adapt and prepare for changing conditions. [caption id="attachment_122966" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Melbourne is considered one of the most liveable cities in the planet.[/caption] Competitive city. In 2022, Singapore placed 3rd in the World Competitiveness Ranking. This small country in Asia even placed first in 2019 and 2020. Metro Manila is one of Asia’s premier regions. As the country’s engine growth driver, it can further step up by following global models like Singapore, Melbourne and Hong Kong, which created integrated cities and coastal developments that ushered in a vibrant economy and better urban lifestyles. A similar endeavor for Metro Manila can increase opportunities for jobs, education, tourism, infrastructure and the overall economy. When all stakeholders are listened to and addressed, communities are energized, especially when their participation is harnessed for well-designed and master-planned and -implemented developments. This assures more inclusive growth for residents, making the urban landscape an extension of their home. When a city embraces its history, celebrates its milestones, innovates and adopts for the future and, most importantly, nurtures its residents and responds to their aspirations, it is a city working toward competitiveness and unlocking future potential. The post Five ways Metro Manila can be made a better city appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Flash drought’ frequency increasing due to climate change: study
Dry-spells known as flash droughts, with a surprisingly rapid onset and often devastating impact, are becoming more frequent as human activity warms the planet, according to a study published Thursday. Though droughts are generally thought of as long-term phenomena, some can occur quite suddenly, in a matter of weeks, when the conditions are right. Global warming is a recipe for increasing those special conditions around the world, creating in certain areas a decrease in precipitation and increased evaporation, which dries out the soil more quickly. For the study, published in the journal Science, researchers analyzed a combination of satellite data and ground moisture readings from a period of over 60 years (1951-2014). "Both flash and slow droughts are increasing" as global temperatures rise, lead author Xing Yuan told AFP. But flash droughts are increasing more quickly "especially over Europe, North and East Asia, Sahel and west coast of South America," he said. The researcher, based out of China's Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), warned that the rapid onset of flash droughts gives humans little time to adapt, such as by diverting water resources or preparing for wildfires. "The vegetation do not have enough time to adapt either," he added. Yuan's team used climate modeling to forecast how flash droughts will change under several possible greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Even if emissions are moderate, flash droughts will continue to become more frequent across practically all regions. Under higher emissions scenarios, the trend would be more drastic. Yuan also said the data showed a general increase in drought onset speeds, with his team finding a "robust transition at global scale" of slow to flash droughts. "We believe the reduction in emission can slow down this transition," he told AFP. The concept of flash drought emerged in the early 21st century, but has received more attention since the summer 2012 drought in the United States, which set in particularly quickly and caused more than $30 billion in economic losses. A commentary piece by two professors in the Netherlands, also published in Science, said the study's warning "should be taken seriously" as the threat "may be even greater than they suggest." David Walker of Wageningen University and Anne Van Loon of Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, both of whom were not involved in Yuan's work, underlined that most of the "hot spot regions" determined by the study were particularly low-income areas. "These regions generally have more vulnerable populations and lower financial resources for coping mechanisms," they said. The pair also added that current methods for detecting droughts, often month-by-month data analyses, must be updated to "operate on shorter time scales," due to the The post ‘Flash drought’ frequency increasing due to climate change: study appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ADB to finance Philippines climate change ambitions
MANILA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday that it has approved a 250-million-U.S. dollar policy-based loan to support the Philippines' climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. "We have a climate emergency, and all countries must come together and address the causes and adapt in a way that ensures food security, protects our biodiversity and improves the well-being of milli.....»»