Rodrigo U. Fuentes, Executive Director
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity 29 Apr 09;
A recent study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) found that the ASEAN region will be hit hard by climate change, causing Southeast Asia’s agriculture-dependent economies to contract by as much as 6.7 percent annually by the end of the century. It also identified Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam as the most vulnerable countries.
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) shares the ADB report’s advice to invest in tree planting programs, better forest management, programs that pay governments to keep trees in the ground, as well as protection of coastal mangroves.
More than painting a grim picture of climate change’s impact on developing economies, the ADB study shows us that climate change is real, and that it presents serious environmental, economic, and social threats to the planet.
A least discussed issue is the relationship between climate change and biodiversity. For us at the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, our partners at the European Commission, and our stakeholders in the 10 ASEAN Member States, the link between the two is a key concern.
There is ample evidence that climate change affects biodiversity. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, climate change is likely to become the dominant direct driver of biodiversity loss by the end of the century. Climate change is already forcing biodiversity to adapt either through shifting habitat, or changing life cycles. The ASEAN region’s rich biodiversity composed of 20 percent of all known plant and animal species will be under grave threat if no action is done to mitigate climate change.
The loss of biodiversity will have far-reaching impacts on all of us. Food insecurity and loss of livelihood are only some of the horrors that we stand to face. In many parts of the globe, these are already grim realities.
The relationship between climate change and biodiversity is a two-way street. While climate change is a driver of biodiversity loss, the deterioration of habitats and loss of biodiversity also worsen climate change. Deforestation, for example, is currently estimated to be 20 percent of all human-induced CO2 emissions.
As citizens of ASEAN, we all must to take part in efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Fighting global warming and its impacts is a shared responsibility among all of us who stand to lose so much – our planet and its various natural treasures that sustain our very existence.
The risk of climate change’s damage to ecosystems can be significantly reduced by implementing ecosystems-based strategies.
One effective way to do this is by protecting forest ecosystems and increasing the size of existing carbon pools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Robust marine ecosystems are also substantial carbon reservoirs. Conserving marine ecosystems is important as oceans are substantial reservoirs of carbon with approximately 50 times more carbon than is presently in the atmosphere. Strong mangrove areas can also protect coastal communities from sea level rise and strong typhoons.
ACB supports the promotion of farmer-centered participatory approaches and indigenous knowledge and technologies toward cycling and use of organic materials in low-input farming systems.
We encourage citizens to conserve and protect plants, animals, and their habitats. If biodiversity loss and climate change are addressed together, the prospects for adapting to these twin challenges will be greatly improved.
Let us protect biodiversity and do our share in fighting climate change.
