COMSTE.gov.ph - [2010.02.23] CONFERENCE TO TACKLE USE OF ENGINEERING RESILIENCE IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A conference entitled Engineering Resilience: Confronting Risk Beyond Adaptation is slated to be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza on March 15-16. The conference aims to tackle issues related to climate change, disaster management, and food security through the use of Science and Technology (S&T). The conference is being organized by the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) and the Manila Observatory.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who Chairs COMSTE, says, “we need to be prepared for the worst that nature can throw at us. In hindsight, we can learn from the many mistakes made when Ondoy and Pepeng ravaged the country and integrate these lessons with that of other countries then use the tools provided to us by Science and Technology (S&T) to be better prepared for future calamities.”

“There is no question that climate change is upon us, yet we do not have the full picture of the effects that this will have on our water security, food security and even our infrastructure. By pooling our resources and data, we can expand our knowledge and help us understand the full scope of climate change and its effects on our country,” noted Angara.

Angara has been stressing the need for the country to be better prepared for looming crises in water and food shortage. “Disasters are not limited to natural events like earthquakes and flooding. Not being able to feed our people would be a grave disaster, and even though we may not feel the immediate effects or see clear signs of food or water crises in our everyday lives, science is showing us that these events are on the horizon and if we are not prepared, we will suffer dire consequences.”

The conference will have the top local scientists and experts as well as those from Japan, Taiwan, India, and Thailand as speakers. The conference also aims to bring together national leaders, local governments, financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations to discuss current and future adaptation and risk reduction scenarios, in the sectors of food and agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and coastal areas.

“The output of this conference will have far reaching effects on future generations. We can give ourselves the proper tools and be better prepared for the future by innovating the way we utilize science and technology, international collaboration, and public-private partnerships with the end goal of being better prepared and to save lives. ” Angara said.

For more information about the conference log on to http://resilience.comste.gov.ph/