Pili National High School

Founded 1970
Pawili Pili Camarines Sur
Senior High School Department

2nd QUARTER PROJECT IN EARTH

SCIENCE

Submitted by:
R-jay Periabras
Pearl Nathalie Razado
(11 Stem-Lorentz)

Submitted to:
Mr. Jaymar Vargas

(November, 2024)
 Climate change is expected to have profound and increasingly severe effects on the
Philippines, particularly in terms of temperature rise, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels,
which will challenge agriculture, infrastructure, and public health systems. Below are the findings from
three articles that explain these future changes.

Article 1: "SDGs on Thin Ice: Arctic Warming and Climate Crisis in the Philippines" (2023)

This article explains how temperatures in the Philippines are expected to rise by 1.8°C to
2.2°C by the year 2050. Higher temperatures will cause heat stress, which can reduce crop yields by
10% for every degree above 30°C. This means farmers will struggle to grow enough food, and
fisheries may also be affected. Extreme weather, like typhoons and droughts, will become stronger
and happen more often, making life harder for communities. Coastal areas are particularly at risk
because sea levels are rising three times faster than the global average. Flooding, saltwater mixing
with drinking water, and damage to infrastructure will be common problems. On top of this, El Niño
events will occur more frequently, leading to longer droughts and water shortages. These issues show
how urgently the country needs to prepare for the future.

Article 2: "Climate Change Projections" (PAGASA, 2024)

This study highlights how climate change will affect the Philippines based on predictions from
weather models. The study shows that average temperatures could increase by 1°C by 2020 and up
to 2°C by 2050. Seasonal patterns will change, with warmer temperatures year-round. Some regions
will experience heavier rainfall, while others will become drier. Typhoons, storms, and droughts are
expected to become stronger and more frequent, especially if greenhouse gas emissions continue to
rise. These changes will make it harder for farmers and fisherfolk to adapt, as unpredictable weather
patterns can damage crops and reduce fish catches. The article stresses that the country needs to
develop ways to cope with these changes to avoid bigger problems in the future.

Figure 1: Hot days are increasing, and cold nights are

decreasing in frequency across the Philippines,
reflecting the impacts of a warming climate.
Article 3: "Climate Change Projections" (Climate.Gov.Ph, 2022)

This article discusses how the Philippines’ weather will change by the mid-21st century. The
average temperature is expected to rise by 0.9°C to 2.3°C, depending on how much greenhouse gas
is released into the atmosphere. The wet and dry seasons will become more extreme, with wetter wet
seasons and drier dry seasons. Some areas, like Mindanao and the Ilocos Region, are predicted to
have stronger rainfall, which could lead to floods. In other regions, rainfall might decrease, causing
water shortages. While there may be fewer tropical cyclones overall, the ones that do form will likely
be much stronger and more destructive. Rising sea levels, which could go up by about 20 cm by the
end of the century, will increase the risks of floods, storm surges, and damage to coastal
communities.

Figure 2: Decadal changes in intense tropical

cyclones in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (1951–
2000). Cyclones are decreasing in frequency but
increasing in strength.

Additionally, long-term global temperature projections (Figure 3) highlight the potential temperature
rise under different emission scenarios, emphasizing the need for urgent action to limit greenhouse
gas emissions.

Figure 3: Temperature projections to 2100 based on

various emission scenarios, showing the impact of
continued high emissions versus moderate or low
growth.

The figures and studies clearly show that the Philippines will face worsening climate impacts in the
coming decades. Rising temperatures will harm agriculture, making it harder to grow food and raising
the risk of heat-related illnesses. More intense typhoons and rainfall will increase the likelihood of
floods, while drier conditions will make droughts more severe. Coastal areas will face rising sea
levels, threatening homes, roads, and water supplies.

Flood-prone places in the municipality are frequently influenced by factors other than exposure to
water sources. Poor drainage systems in urban or developed areas can cause water retention
following heavy rainfall since the ground cannot absorb water properly.

Figure 4: Map of Bula showing the municipal boundary

and surrounding areas.

These are some areas identified to be prone to flooding:

1. Ombao Polpog in Bula, Camarines Sur, is

especially prone to floods due to a variety of
topographical and environmental variables. Its
low-lying location makes it particularly vulnerable
to water collection after heavy rains. Furthermore,
the community is bordered by the Bicol River, a
major waterway that can overflow after lengthy or
heavy rains, causing nearby areas to be flooded.
The river's floodplains naturally retain extra
water, but this can cause extensive flooding,
especially when combined with weak drainage
systems or clogged rivers. Furthermore,
agricultural activities and land use changes in the
area could have compacted the soil, reducing its
ability to absorb water effectively. These features
make Ombao Polpog especially vulnerable to frequent and severe flooding disasters.
 Pawili River (Bicol River)

Photos taken after typhoon Kristine (Ombao Polpog):

2.

San Ramon, Bula, Camarines Sur, is

subject to flooding due to its location in

a natural floodplain. This location acts

as a catchment for runoff from higher

elevations nearby, making it prone to

water accumulation during prolonged or

strong rains. The lack of proper

drainage infrastructure worsens the issue, as excess water cannot be properly channeled.

Furthermore, agricultural practices in the area, like as soil compaction

from farming equipment, limit the soil's ability to absorb water, leading to increased surface runoff.

Over time, the combination of natural and human-caused variables has made San Ramon especially

prone to

flooding.

Photos

after
Typhoon Kristine:

Some areas in the municipality are at risk of

landslides because of steep slopes, loose soil, and

heavy rain. Places with fewer trees are more likely

to experience landslides since plant roots help

hold the soil together. When it rains a lot, the ground can become too wet and heavy, causing it to

slide down. Human activities like building roads or digging on slopes can make the ground weaker

and increase the risk of landslides. These are some areas that are especially prone to landslides:

Brgy. Itangon, Bula, Camarines Sur

Brgy. Ombao Heights, Bula,

Camarines Sur

Itangon and Ombao Heights in Bula, Camarines Sur, are at risk of landslides because they have

steep hills and loose soil. Since these areas are located higher up, heavy rainfall can cause the soil to
become very wet and heavy, making it more likely to slide down. When the soil is loose or not tightly

packed, it can't hold itself together well. This makes the ground more unstable, especially when it

rains a lot. The lack of enough plants or trees in some areas also makes the soil weaker. Plants and

trees help hold the soil in place with their roots. Without enough vegetation, the soil is more likely to

shift or wash away during rainfall. Additionally, activities like cutting down trees or building on the

slopes can make the problem worse. These actions disturb the natural balance of the land, leaving

the soil even more vulnerable to landslides. To reduce the risk, it’s important to take care of the land

and protect the soil from these factors.

To stop landslides, we can take a few steps:

1. Building retaining walls and terraces

Retaining walls help prevent soil from sliding down steep slopes by holding it in place. Terraces,

which are stepped levels on a slope, can reduce the speed of water runoff and allow the soil to

absorb water more slowly. These measures provide physical barriers that keep the land stable and

reduce the risk of mass wasting.

2. Improving drainage systems

Proper drainage systems, such as gutters and channels, help redirect rainwater away from vulnerable

areas. By preventing excess water from collecting on slopes, we can reduce the chances of the soil

becoming too saturated and sliding. Well-maintained drainage also helps reduce erosion, another

factor that can trigger landslides.

3. Planting trees and vegetation with strong roots

This helps hold the soil together and prevents it from becoming loose. Plants’ roots absorb water,

reducing the amount of water that collects in the soil. Strong-rooted plants, like grasses, shrubs, and
trees, are essential for stabilizing the ground, especially during heavy rainfall.

These solutions work together to make the land more stable and less prone to landslides, ensuring

the safety of areas like Itangon and Ombao Heights.

REFERENCES:

Climate Change Projections,

https://climate.gov.ph/climate-change-projections-our-future-through-the-looking-glass

Climate Change in the Philippines by PAGASA. Available at:

https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-change-in-the-philippines

"SDGs on Thin Ice: Arctic Warming and Climate Crisis in the Philippines," Global Climate Risks.

Available at: Global Climate Risks