Nature’s Wrath: The Philippines Faces Unprecedented Typhoons Amid Climate Crisis

The Philippines has a lengthy history of typhoons. As one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, Filipinos have grown accustomed to the devastation caused by these natural disasters. However, the recent spate of violent typhoons has acted as a clear warning that the number and strength of these storms are no more simply seasonal occurrences; they are forerunners of a greater, more worrisome catastrophe – the irrefutable impact of climate change.

Six typhoons namely; Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito have caused significant havoc in recent months, leaving shattered houses, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted lifestyles. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), each storm affects millions of Filipinos, displacing entire villages and destroying livelihoods. The economic toll is tremendous. These storms have caused billions of pesos in damage to the country, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and fisheries. Whole crops are destroyed, leaving farmers battling to recover and households suffering a loss of income. The fishing industry, which is already subject to changes in sea conditions, bears additional hazards when typhoons disrupt marine activity, damage fishing boats, and flood coastal communities. Already vulnerable to changes in sea conditions, the fishing sector suffers more when typhoons interfere with marine operations, destroy fishing boats, and flood coastal towns.

The families who suffer the most from dislocation caused by these typhoons’ high winds are always the same families. As if disrupting the family structure wasn’t enough, many families are forced to leave the rural and coastal villages where they have lived for so long. They frequently have limited or no access to essential services and must survive in almost broken houses, tents or evacuation camps. The trauma and stress of the families are beyond description as they confront the difficult challenge of beginning from scratch with no means in sight.

Based on a study by the Asian Development Bank on the economics of climate change, the country stands to lose 6% of its GDP annually by 2100 if it disregards climate change risks. This same study found that if the Philippines invests 0.5% of its GDP by 2020 in climate change adaptation, it can avert losses of up to 4% of its GDP by 2100, clearly a short-term investment with a long-term eight-fold gain.

Climate change is a threat to natural ecosystems. The Philippines’ grasslands, which cover over 1 million hectares, are especially vulnerable to more future climate change. Most grasslands in the uplands are prone to fire, especially during extended periods of dryness and little rainfall throughout the summer.

Using my voice not as an environmental advocate but as a youth, I am urging the Philippine government to take a more inclusive, transparent, and proactive approach to climate resilience and disaster preparedness. The world, the Philippine rather, should start giving young people seats at the table where their futures are shaped.

National government should construct a disaster preparedness frameworks that encourage community participation and assure accountability in budget allocation. Furthermore, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience education should be included into the national curriculum to prepare future generations to face climatic issues. Recognizing indigenous knowledge, encouraging young engagement through advisory councils, and establishing monitoring mechanisms for climate programs are all emphasized as critical components for promoting community sustainability and data-driven decision-making. These initiatives also call for equitable access to international climate funds, support for local climate programs, and the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructures.

This involves improving drainage systems, implementing natural solutions such as mangroves, enforcing the National Green Building Code, and creating resilient water systems and rural infrastructure. The emphasis is on empowering local communities, mandating localized climate action plans, and enhancing inter-agency and community collaboration to ensure that adaptation actions are coordinated. Finally, calls for comprehensive climate databases and increased local research capacities seek to generate region-specific solutions while also strengthening the country’s potential for successful adaptation planning. Collectively, these statements highlight a comprehensive approach to climate change mitigation, pushing the government to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience at all levels of society and use social media to gain supports and advocacies.

The devastating effects of recent typhoons should serve as a wake-up call for the Philippines and the world. Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a current reality that requires immediate and sustained action.

The government should take aggressive action to address the underlying causes of climate change and create a more resilient, sustainable future for all Filipinos. Failure to act now will simply exacerbate the economic and social consequences of future disasters, leaving more households homeless and vulnerable to an increasingly unpredictable environment. Act Now, Declare Climate Emergency!*