LEGAZPI CITY – Three experts from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) explained how climate change can affect agriculture and the lives of the people during an executive forum on mainstreaming climate change into the curriculum for trainors training in Albay which was held at the Governor’s Guesthouse here Monday.

        The three speakers from UPLB were Dr. Roberto F. Rañola, vice chancellor for administration, Dr. Felino Lansigan, and Dr. Rosa Perez, an expert of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

        Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda, a green economist, delivered the opening remarks.

        Lansigan said that vulnerability to natural calamities like typoons are an important factors to agriculture here in Bicol particularly in rice and corn production.

        “In 1997-98 water scarsity was worst we have experienced so far, “ Lansigan said.

        He disclosed that a study showed that increase in temperature has resulted in 10-15 percent reduction in yield.

        He also lauded Gov. Salceda for mobilizing his resources to teach his constituents as well as the teachers from the elementary to high school to incorporate climate change subjects into the curriculum.

        Lansigan also urged local governments to incorporate hazards and disasters in their land use plans.

        “We should identify which areas are most vulnerable to hazards.Adaptation and mitigation measures are appropriate in specific locations, “ he said.

        Dr. Rosa Perez talked on international initiatives on climate change from the first environment convention in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the Kyoto Summit in Kyoto, Japan in 1997.

        She said that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations formed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988.

        In December 1997, the UN Framework Convention took place in Kyoto, Japan where the Kyoto Protocol was formed and develop.

        Perez further said that food security and sustainable development are the two principal concerns of the Kyoto convention.

        According to Perez, the problem of global warming was started by developed countries like the United States because of the emission of industrial gases or greenhouse gases.

        In April, 2008, a total of 178 countries ratified the Kyoto Protocol but the U.C. did not sign the document, Perez said.

        Resi Mariñas, consultant of Sen. Loren Legarda, said that the Senate Committee on Environmental had already passed several resolutions and bills on climate change and for the protection of the environment.

        Among the measures enacted into law is the Clean Air Act, she said.

        In his closing remarks, Dr. Roberto Rañola, UPLB vice chancellor for administration, said that the UPLB chancellor Dr. Rey Luis (training of trainors) with all sincerity/”

        “We have the goods to deliver (meaning the expertise and the information) but we need the vehicle and the funds, “ he added.

        On climate change, Rañola (who hails from Camarines Sur) said.

        “This is an issue on food security, this is an issue on poverty alleviation. What we need is concerted efforts.’

        The trainors training was undertaken by the Center for Iniatiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) headed by its executive director Manuel ‘ Nong ‘ Rangasa. The training was held at the Bicol University Amphitheater from Aug. 2-4, 2008 with trainors from UPLB.