Climate Resilience in the Philippines
Climate resilience in the Philippines starts with accountability, as undelivered flood-control projects and collusion undermine efforts to build resilience to climate change.
The Philippines is highly vulnerable to typhoons, monsoon rains, sea-level rise, and persistent flooding, making it a prime example of a country in need of effective climate resilience strategies.
Historian Karl Jacoby refers to this phenomenon as 'moral ecology', where disasters are explained in moral terms and blame is assigned.
In the Philippines, this 'moral ecology' has led to public calls for discipline, with vulnerability to disaster blamed on individual shortcomings such as lack of foresight or civic responsibility.
- Failing to dispose of garbage properly
- Living in slum areas that obstruct waterways
- Lacking discipline in the face of adversity
Author's summary: Accountability is key to climate resilience in the Philippines.