Arturo D. Sevillano Jr.
BSCRIM 1 Delta
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Climate Change: Its Nature, Causes, and Impacts
According to United Nations, climate change involves long-term alterations in
temperature and weather patterns. These changes can occur naturally, such as from variations in
solar activity or significant volcanic eruptions. However, since the 1800s, human actions have
become the primary cause of climate change, mainly through the combustion of fossil fuels like
coal, oil, and natural gas.
When fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases that function like a thermal
blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun and increasing global temperatures.
The key greenhouse gases driving climate change include carbon dioxide and methane.
These gases are emitted from activities like using gasoline-powered vehicles or burning coal for
heating. Additionally, deforestation and land clearing contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.
Methane is largely produced by agriculture, as well as oil and gas extraction. The main
contributors to greenhouse gas emissions come from sectors such as energy production, industry,
transportation, buildings, agriculture, and land use.
NASA highlighted that since the mid-20th century, changes in Earth’s climate have
primarily been driven by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, which increases
the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the
planet’s average surface temperature to rise. While natural factors—such as internal climate
variability (like ocean cycles including El Niño, La Niña, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation)
and external influences (such as volcanic eruptions, fluctuations in solar energy, and changes in
Earth’s orbit)—also affect climate, their impact has been overshadowed by human-induced
changes.
Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change,
accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon
dioxide emissions.
As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global
warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history.
Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of
nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.
United Nations also obtained from their reliable sources that the primary causes of
climate change include generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels causes a large
chunk of global emissions. Most electricity is still generated by burning coal, oil, or gas, which
produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide – powerful greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth
and trap the sun’s heat; manufacturing and industry produce emissions, mostly from burning
fossil fuels to produce energy for making things like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastics,
clothes, and other goods. Mining and other industrial processes also release gases, as does the
construction industry. Machines used in the manufacturing process often run-on coal, oil, or gas;
and some materials, like plastics, are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The
manufacturing industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Cutting down forests to create farms or pastures, or for other reasons, causes emissions,
since trees, when they are cut, release the carbon they have been storing. Each year
approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed. Since forests absorb carbon dioxide,
destroying them also limits nature’s ability to keep emissions out of the atmosphere.
Deforestation, together with agriculture and other land use changes, is responsible for roughly a
quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions; most cars, trucks, ships, and planes run on fossil
fuels. That makes transportation a major contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-
dioxide emissions. Road vehicles account for the largest part, due to the combustion of
petroleum-based products, like gasoline, in internal combustion engines. But emissions from
ships and planes continue to grow.
Agriculture is the second largest greenhouse gas and methane-emitting sector in the
Philippines, making it the 24th highest methane-emitting country. Methane has a global warming
potential 28 to 84 times greater than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to global
climate change.
According to Climate
Transparency, rice
cultivation is the leading
source of these
agricultural emissions,
accounting for 62% of the
total. This primarily
occurs due to flooding
fields, which creates conditions for bacteria-driven decomposition that releases methane.
Livestock farming adds to this burden, accounting for 25% of the sector’s emissions, and
fertilizers account for another 9%.
Producing food causes emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases
in various ways, including through deforestation and clearing of land for agriculture and grazing,
digestion by cows and sheep, the production and use of fertilizers and manure for growing crops,
and the use of energy to run farm equipment or fishing boats, usually with fossil fuels. All this
makes food production a major contributor to climate change. And greenhouse gas emissions
also come from packaging and distributing food; and globally, residential and commercial
buildings consume over half of all electricity. As they continue to draw on coal, oil, and natural
gas for heating and cooling, they emit significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions.
Growing energy demand for heating and cooling, with rising air-conditioner ownership, as well
as increased electricity consumption for lighting, appliances, and connected devices, has
contributed to a rise in energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions from buildings in recent years;
your home and use of power, how you move around, what you eat and how much you throw
away all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. So does the consumption of goods such as
clothing, electronics, and plastics. A large chunk of global greenhouse gas emissions is linked to
private households. Our lifestyles have a profound impact on our planet. The wealthiest bear the
greatest responsibility: the richest 1% of the global population combined account for more
greenhouse gas emissions than the poorest 50%.
Climate change impacts our health, environment, and economy. For example: warmer
temperatures increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves, which can pose health
risks, particularly for young children and the elderly.
Climate change can also impact human health by worsening air and water
quality, increasing the spread of certain diseases, and altering the frequency or intensity
of extreme weather events. Rising sea level threatens coastal communities and ecosystems.
Changes in the patterns and amount of rainfall, as well as changes in the timing and
amount of stream flow, can affect water supplies and water quality and the production of
hydroelectricity.
Changing ecosystems influence geographic ranges of many plant and animal species and
the timing of their lifecycle events, such as migration and reproduction. Increases in the
frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, can
increase losses to property, cause costly disruptions to society, and reduce the affordability of
insurance. (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2025)
Climate change in the Philippines is manifesting through increased frequency and
intensity of typhoons, rising sea levels, extreme rainfall events, and changes in temperature and
rainfall patterns. These changes are impacting agriculture, fisheries, public health, and coastal
communities, leading to potential for economic losses, food insecurity, and increased
vulnerability for marginalized
groups. Some specific
examples include the increased
typhoon intensity and
frequency where typhoons are
becoming more intense and frequent, leading to widespread flooding and damage, as seen in the
aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. The rising sea levels at a rate faster than the global average,
contributing to storm surge and flooding in coastal areas, as seen in coastal communities like
those in Tacloban, according to The Climate Reality Project. The extreme rainfall events which
are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to landslides and floods, particularly in areas
like Luzon and Visayas. And the changes in rainfall patterns with some areas experiencing
reduced rainfall during the summer and increased rainfall during the monsoon season.
Climate change is primarily driven by human activities, especially the burning of fossil
fuels and deforestation. Its impacts are widespread, affecting weather patterns, ecosystems,
human health, and economies globally and locally, with countries like the Philippines
experiencing severe consequences. Addressing climate change requires urgent action across all
sectors and at all levels of society.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES
From the comprehensive understanding from the different journals I read, these are the
three proposed strategies I thought can be beneficial in mitigating climate change issues,
particularly greenhouse gases.
1. Transition to Renewable Energy
Households and local organizations can install solar panels, switch to renewable energy
providers, and use energy-efficient appliances to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
While, policymakers can support large-scale adoption of clean energy technologies, invest in
renewable infrastructure, and phase out subsidies for fossil fuels. These measures help cut
emissions at the source and accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy.
2. Promote Sustainable Transportation
Opt for public transportation, biking, walking, carpooling, or switching to electric or
hybrid vehicles for every individual to minimize emissions from personal travel.
Communities must develop bike lanes, improve public transit systems, and encourage ride-
sharing programs to make low-emission travel more accessible and appealing and the
government should invest in mass transit, set fuel efficiency standards, and incentivize the
use of electric vehicles to further reduce transportation-related emissions.
3. Support Sustainable Land Use and Diets
Individuals should reduce meat and dairy consumption, choose local and sustainably
produced foods, and minimize food waste. Plant-based diets have a lower carbon footprint,
and composting organic waste further reduces emissions. Communities should organize tree-
planting initiatives, support farmers’ markets, and promote urban gardening to enhance local
carbon sinks and reduce food miles and the governments can
enact policies to prevent deforestation, incentivize reforestation, and promote sustainable
agriculture and land management practices.
By combining these strategies—shifting to renewable energy, promoting sustainable
transportation, and supporting sustainable land use and diets—individuals, communities, and
governments can make significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
combating climate change
