“Emissions from burning fossil fuels-coal, oil, natural gas and deforestation – must be cut deeply in the coming decades if the world is to control the risks of dangerous climate change.” — Michael Levi

According to eminent scientists from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, “At the current rate of global warming the earth’s temperature stands to careen out of control.”

Governments have now come to realize that global warming is upon us, and is causing havoc on the weather, ecosystems, business and environment.

First, with the ice caps steadily melting, sea levels rising, temperatures getting hotter, and ozone layers getting thicker, typhoon “Ondoy” should not have surprised us since Ondoy will not be the first nor the last of the devastating floods which can only worsen over time as cities and canals and esteros get clogged with garbage, and the hillsides are denuded of rain-absorbing trees.

Not surprising, there have been simultaneous landslides, mudslides, and torrential floods from the Philippines, to China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, Pakistan, United States, Italy, and Latin America.

Second, with the earth heating up due to massive biocarbon emissions and the ozone layer getting thicker, the molten core of the earth is also increasing in temperature that earthquakes have not only become more frequent but also more massive in detonation and destruction.

Except for the extraordinary phenomenon of Ondoy, the Philippines is used to destructive typhoons and cost to human lives and the economy since we never seem to learn until the next typhoon season comes along.

On the other hand, earthquakes and earthquake-driven tsunamis are more unpredictable, horrifying, and merciless.

Needless to say, since the Philippines belongs to the “Ring of Fire” that circumnavigates the Pacific Ocean from Russia Asia to the tip of Chile, and both sides of the Pacific, the structures of houses and edifices, say, in Japan and the Philippines tend to be more solid than the mud-baked homes in the Middle East.

However, what is scary here is the utter lack of preparedness of the local government units, lack of equipment for high-rise hotels and buildings, lack of trained search and rescue professionals, and mobile equipment.

The fact is that the big bang or massive earthquakes and tsunamis will happen sooner than later which, so far, the Philippines has miraculously been spared.

Third, the next administration and the new president should focus, among his many priorities, on passing legislation on disaster preparedness, budgets and training.

Filipino and government know that the Philippines is prone to typhoons, flooding, and earthquakes.

Yet, very little is being done to prepare for disasters which are regular events.

When all is said and done, it is mind-boggling to contemplate how to cope with future “Ondoys,” and massive earthquakes in capital cities along coastlines that are criss-crossed by faultlines and vulnerable to tsunamis.

While global warming may be the consequence, it is man who has been responsible for inflicting this destruction upon himself.

While the ultimate solution to global warming is international cooperation and awareness, we in the Philippines have to do our own thing, the foremost of which are reforestation and population control.

You be the judge.

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Here and there Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando of Marikina City has formed his own political party called “Kabayani” which is applying for accreditation with the Commission on Elections... Chairman Bayani Fernando is hoping that the Lakas-CMD, which is accredited by the Comelec but estranged from the botched Lakas-Kampi merger, will support his candidacy... Chairman Bayani Fernando’s lieutenants are telling him that there is a big clamor for him to run for president from the people in the Visayas and Mindanao... Early bird on the campaign trail, Sen. Manny Villar has succeeded in establishing his presence and campaign organization in Mindanao, and especially in Cebu and Panay island... On the other hand, rapid Coryistas take quick umbrage and offense at every criticism of Sen. Noynoy Aquino... The fact on the ground is that one can exploit so far only the memory of a dead icon after which reality emerges that seriously questions the ability, experience, and preparedness of Sen. Aquino for the presidency….The same could be said of precocious Sen. Chiz Escudero who turned 40 years old last week... The popular senator can afford to wait another term to prepare for the job... Abangan... (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)