Too Hot, Too Cold: Extreme Weather, Extreme Problems

Global warming is very actively changing the climate and the conditions on the planet that
are becoming extreme and dangerous for man and the world. This kind of event is mainly
caused by various human activities as the use of fossil fuels in large proportions releases
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Some of these gases cause the heat to be
retained in the atmosphere leading to the change of climate, global warming, and abnormal
weather conditions (IPCC, 2021).

Due to climate change issues, the Philippines on one end faces heat waves and on the other
side intensive rainfall that gives different difficulties to the community. The saying that excess of
everything is not good, is also very true especially for these extreme weather conditions.
Combating climate change calls for assessment of its influence and, thus, steps taken to
prevent or reduce the resultant consequences.

Excessive heat, particularly in the Philippines, which many areas experience recurrent heat
waves, is a product of escalating global temperatures. Any incidence of high temperatures
poses certain health consequences which include dehydration, heat exhaustion , and heat
stroke. Heat stress reduces the efficacy of thermoregulation mechanisms which dehydrates the
body, making children, elderly people and athletes more vulnerable to heat illnesses (Nguyen et
al., 2019).

Besides health consequences, high temperatures affect water use as well. In this season,
sources of water dry up faster through evaporation and everyone, including farmers,
homeowners, industries, and others, face water shortages. This is especially troubling in a
country such as the Philippines where many of the people depend on rain fed farming for their
sustenance. Lack of water means the crops do not grow, food scarcity hence there will be loss
of money.

When it comes to heat it may be very hot, and when it is very hot the conditions are difficult
in the extreme, but water is not the opposite of heat, it is destructive in its own right when too
much of it falls. Severe rainstorms that are associated with typhoons and monsoons result in
floods, landslides and the demolition of property. Floods cause families to lose their homes and
at the same time crops are destroyed, roads are washed away, and important infrastructures
like schools and hospitals are affected by the floods (Cruz et al., 2017).

Coming from floods, children and teachers in low lying areas, including rural and urban
communities in the Philippines experience loss of classes. Floodwaters hinder students from
getting to school and teachers from teaching in their classrooms. Furthermore, it worsens the
situation because the stagnant water breeds other diseases such as the dengue mosquitoes,
and other waterborne diseases. These health complications also hamper educational processes
because, due to infection from unsuitable environmental conditions, students and teachers
become ill.
 The consequences of climate change convention are not just solely in notably harsh
conditions of climate but also in other aspects as well. According to the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change is a structural phenomena that impacts health,
livelihoods and living standards of people as they confront climate change (IPCC, 2021). The
Philippines is one of the most at risk countries to climate change due to location and the impact
of these extreme events has been intensified.

That means teachers and students are not free from such considerations either. The extreme
weather conditions make children get out of school due to diseases such as dehydration,
coldness, fever and flu. Delays in school sessions as a result of commonly occurring diseases
that are associated with adverse weather affects the quality of education making long term
effects on students’ performance and prospects.

As the late environmentalist Parnell was conveying when he stated that “climate change is a
community problem” everyone must act. Tackling climate change is one of the problems which
affects all levels of society, from the top political and business elites, and educators, to the local
population. Schools being a part of the learning institution have a great responsibility of
educating other learners and their families about climate change and its mitigation.

The ultimate solution to climate change impacts in the Philippines requires the integration of
a sound public policy, as well as people’s participation and action at individual level of analysis.
Government provides incentives for download of renewable energy sources such as solar and
wind power which can substantially lessen greenhouse gas emissions. disaster can also pose a
major threat; therefore fortification and also the put in place of early operations systems to avert
such incidences. In reference to this, schools have a social responsibility of being social crisis
centers and ALs of disseminating information on climatic change.

Also, the advancement to climate resilient agriculture helps in providing for foods during the
fluctuating climates. Enhancing conservation agriculture and resistance crop production make
farmers ready to supply with a long dry season or flooded season. On the other hand, education
is still a significant part of climate mitigation, as Knowledge is quiesce through climate themes
included in academic curriculum. On the community level, measures such as prudent use of
energy, avoiding wastage, and planting at household level will ensure that each community
reduces its carbon footprint and therefore the culture of sustainable development that will
benefit the community and the surrounding environment has been prompted.

Lack of climate change cannot be regarded as a mere environmental problem only as it

poses several health, economic and social implications on humanity. Excessive heat and heavy
rain produces dramatic effects in the Philippines mostly to those that are affected in the
community. It is clear therefore that overcoming these challenges does not have to be a one
man or one organization affair hence a systemic approach is needed whereby individuals,
communities and government come on board.
 Which is why the saying “moderation is success, extremism is pure evil” rings true to many
people. This principle also applies in as much as our relationships with the physical
environment. It is possible to fix the climate crisis by respecting nature and sharing our work for
everyone and everything around us.

References

Cruz, R. V. O., Harasawa, H., Lal, M., Wu, S., Anokhin, Y. A., Punsalmaa, B., ... & Huu, N.
(2017). Asia. In Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge
University Press.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The
Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.

Nguyen, J. L., Schwartz, J., & Dockery, D. W. (2019). The relationship between indoor and
outdoor temperature, apparent temperature, and mortality in the northeastern United States.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(1), 13-19.