ROLE OF GEODETIC ENGINEERS IN CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is defined as a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. Climate change may be limited to a specific region or may occur across the whole Globe. All over the world, people are taking action because climate change has serious impacts, both locally and globally. Scientists have predicted that warming oceans and melting glaciers due to global warming and climate change could cause sea levels to rise from 7 inches to 23 inches by the year 2100. This rise in sea level would affect densely populated coastal communities and the infrastructure that supports them such as city buildings, roads, and ports. Some would be flooded or become more vulnerable to storm damage. In flat coastal terrain, the shoreline could move many miles inland. Northern Mindanao has had a taste of the possible repercussions of severe changes in weather patterns in the form of Tropical Storm Sendong. What used to be a relatively typhoon-free region was suddenly lambasted with intense rain and high winds. Whether this is an isolated event or the initial stages of a permanent change only time can tell. It is impossible to be absolutely certain about all the disasterrelated effects of climate change. However, plenty of information point to the serious events that have occurred in past decades. Increased frequency of high precipitation in some regions will trigger floods and landslides, with potentially large losses of life and assets. Increases in the number and intensity of very strong cyclones (typhoons and hurricanes) will affect coastal regions, with potentially large additional losses of lives and assets. The losses are called potential because there is a way to prepare for and mitigate their effect through Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). Spatial information plays a key role in DRRM. The ability to understand geohazards and climate change can be better achieved with the right geospatial information. Reducing risks from natural catastrophes calls for plans to take into consideration the geospatial components of safety and security.

Geodetic Engineers, being trained and skilled in gathering data from the earths surface and processing/presenting them into graphs and charts, are critical in making the said plans to reduce or eliminate potential losses in the event of natural disasters. You must not only take the lead in providing the necessary geospatial data but also bridge the gap between the highly technical documents and their end users. Although the role of Geodetic Engineers within the framework of risk reduction and adaptation is not as glamorous as that of doctors and rescuers, a large percentage of decisions made in environment, hazard areas, and infrastructure are dependent on spatial data. In this context, you must be proactive in dealing with your counterparts in other agencies and various stakeholders, seeking out their needs for the right spatial information that can be used to mitigate disaster and adapt to climate change.

DR. CORAZON B. GALINATO, CESO IV OIC, Regional Executive Director DENR Region 10