To say it's been hot everywhere the past few days is an understatement.
The fact is, sweltering temperatures have been experienced in various parts of the country for a while, with the highest observed heat index of 47°C recorded in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on March 25.
On Thursday, April 20, Dagupan City in Pangasinan and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City registered a 43°C heat index.
A day earlier, the following areas experienced heat indices of 42°C or higher: Aparri, Cagayan (46°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (46°C); Casiguran, Aurora (45°C); Catarman, Northern Samar (43°C); Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (42°C); Davao City, Davao del Sur (42°C); Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (42°C); Guiuan, Eastern Samar (42°C); Masbate City, Masbate (42°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (42°C); and Sangley Point, Cavite (42°C).
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), heat indices between 42°C and 51°C carry impending “danger” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”
The heat wave doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s now being experienced around the world.
In fact, recent reports showed that a large part of South and Southeast Asia have been experiencing hotter than normal temperatures. At least 13 people have died in India and two in Thailand due to heatstroke.
Thailand's Meteorological Department told Agence France-Presse that temperatures hit a record-equaling 44.6°C in the western province of Tak on April 15, while Bangladesh’s temperatures hit 40.6°C—the highest recorded since the 1960s.
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its 6th Assessment Report, said “human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming” and warned that “every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards.”
To address climate change, the UN panel called for “rapid and far-reaching transitions across all sectors and systems to achieve deep and sustained emissions reductions and secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”
That’s easier said than done, but the world has to heed this call for sustainable gas emissions for humankind’s survival.
A whole-of-society approach to address climate change is necessary if we are determined to avoid further its catastrophic effects. Everyone—from the government down to the private sector and to every individual—must share responsibility in this endeavor. Without a concerted effort, we are bound to suffer its consequences.
Already, we are now experiencing frequent floodings even in areas that had not experienced this in the past. Now, heatwave has become more intense. What more are we waiting for before we finally move?
Now is the time to act to address climate change. Tomorrow might be too late.