Racing to mitigate climate change

The heat is on! Climate change is upon us, and the world is in a race to reverse its impacts before it’s too late. Ten years ago, global warming was a dot on the environmental landscape. Today, the world is constantly deluged by climate change in its many forms, including rapidly receding Arctic ice, lethal storms and floods, forest fires and heat waves. In the ASEAN region, weather-related disasters have quadrupled in the last 20 years due to more frequent, more unpredictable, and more extreme weather events that are affecting more people. In 2006, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam were among the 10 countries in the world most affected by extreme weather. Long term effects will be felt in damages to food sources, increased desertification, and depletion of water supplies. The region’s vulnerability to climate change is also heightened by ASEAN member countries’ dependence on natural resources and limited capacity to adapt to extreme events.

Many scientists point to the significance of biodiversity conservation in climate change mitigation. Protecting forest ecosystems reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving and increasing the size of existing carbon pools. Robust marine ecosystems are substantial reservoirs of carbon. Strong mangrove areas can protect coastal communities from sea level rise and strong typhoons. Healthy upland forests and wetlands can help regulate water flow, prevent flooding and improve water quality. Rich ecosystems also allow species to adapt better to climate change.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has contributed to efforts to mitigating climate change through 47 research projects conducted in ASEAN Member Countries (AMCs) with funding from the European Commission. These projects focused on three categories: biological uses and values, ecological reconstruction, and taxonomy and systematics.

Studies on biological uses and values focused on ecosystem deterioration caused by a general under-appreciation of the enormous economic value of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Research projects include: conservation of peatland biodiversity, population and conservation biology of threatened ornamental species, assessment of endangered forest plant species, and community-based plant and habitat conservation.

Ecological reconstruction projects illustrate damages to forests, wetlands, reefs and other important habitats of most ASEAN countries, and the urgent measures required to restore them to productivity and repair important ecological functions. In many cases, degraded habitats have been left unused, barren or were replanted with species that fail to preserve local biodiversity or restore original ecological functions. These research projects provided appropriate ways to re-establish natural vegetation and restore complex habitats. Samples of researches include: succession and restitution of species biodiversity in coral reef ecosystems, biodiversity impacts of climate change, fire and forest restoration techniques, and biodiversity conservation in highland ecosystems.

Studies in taxonomy and systematics provide a better understanding of the species that form the rich biodiversity of the ASEAN region. Some of the research projects include: study and conservation of bryophyte diversity, investigation on insect biodiversity, and study on ant biodiversity.

Following the global urgency to address climate change, ACB supported the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in organizing an international conference-workshop on Biodiversity and Climate change in Southeast Asia. The workshop-conference was held on 19-20 February in Manila, with support from the World Agroforestry Centre and the Biodiversity International. The conference-workshop discussed opportunities to adapt to and mitigate climate change, while enhancing the conservation of biodiversity in the region. Conference outputs included policy recommendations and other possible researchable areas on biodiversity and climate change; a network of experts who could assist in developing the regional program and implementing it in the future; and a concept note for a Regional Program on Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change in SEA.

Though massive in scale and scope, scientists agree that climate change impacts are still reversible. Urgent measures are needed to address its effects particularly in vulnerable countries in the ASEAN region. Through workshops, researches and positive actions, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and its partner organizations will continue to provide opportunities to reduce the effects of climate change and global warming through biodiversity conservation. For further information about ACB project studies on climate change and biodiversity, inquire at contact.us@aseanbiodiversity.org.