By VENCY D. BULAYUNGAN
PIA-Ifugao/Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat.com

BANAUE, Ifugao – Indigenous peoples (IPs) have contributed little to climate change and yet they are among those who suffer its adverse consequences the most. One of the causes of climate change is carbon dioxide resulting from use of burning fossil fuels which most IPs do not use, said Robert Pangod, coordinator of the Ifugao Resource and Development Center.

“Climate change is mainly caused by actions taken by those who perpetuate and benefit from the capitalist development model characterized by unsustainable production and consumption, extreme individualism, increasing concentration of wealth and power in fewer hands,” Pangod said.

Other effects of climate change to local rice terraces include extreme weather patterns such as incessant rains which erode rice terraces, muyong (forest) and support infrastructures; higher susceptibility of the rice crop to rot and pest diseases, among others. Global warming or climate change causes crop loss, dampens tourism and create health problems, said Pangod to farmers, indigenous leaders and stakeholders of the Ifugao Rice Terraces (IRT).

He urged farmers to revitalize the Ifugao rice culture tinawon, strengthen the biodiversity in the rice terraces and nurture and develop traditional knowledge innovations and good practices in rice production. Pangod also encouraged the preservation of biodiversity by caring for nature and using it only in sustainable ways, as well as institutionalizing appropriate land use planning in rice farming communities with the ecosystem in mind.

”All sectors of society should help deepen the peoples’ understanding of climate change and implement more effective and appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures in the rice terraces, said Pangod. Effective participation of rice farmers should also be ensured in formulating and implementing IRT conservation program and policies. (Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat.com)

Climate change refers to any change in climate overtime whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.

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