Workshop on Global Climate Change - The Science, Social Impact & Diplomacy of a World

Rationale
In recent scientific findings, human activity is partly to blame for the rise in both average world temperatures and the occurrence of extreme weather events. The lndustrial Revolution has created the overwhelming share of the greenhouse gases that cause the earth’s atmosphere to warm. But, the world’s poor are first and hardest hit by the consequences of climate change. Among its consequences: deadly droughts and floods; displacement of hundreds of thousands of people across the world due to floods; and global fresh water resources becoming increasingly scarce.

Kyoto protocol, the policy that has been envisioned to alleviate the growing associated concerns of global warming where countries have committed to specific emissions reduction targets by 2012, still has its shortcomings especially since the world’s largest emitter, the U.S., remains outside the agreement.

Two years ago, the Department of Biology celebrated its foundation week (Bioweek) with the theme, “Global warming, a global warning”, which aimed to provide information on the various aspects of Global Warming and Climate Change. It is but urgent to further advocate this awareness and include discussions on the social and political implications of climate change to our colleagues outside the college and the university. Thus, the Department of Biology (DB) and the Department of Social Sciences (DSS) propose to conduct the workshop entitled, “GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE--The Science, Social Impact & Diplomacy of a World Environmental Crisis” this May 21-22, 2009 at the CAS Little Theater. Target participants include representatives from institutions of the South Manila Consortium.

Learning Objectives
This course introduces participants to the science of climate change, drawing attention to the latest research and evolving pattern of scientific data on climate that has emerged in recent years. In addition, emphasis is given to analyzing the social changes and adaptations that human communities have already made and those they will most likely have to make as the Earth’s climate continues to change in the coming years. Presentation of Philippine cases will be discussed by experts in the field of environmental and social sciences.

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