On the road to a climate catastrophe

Map of the Philippines indicating tragedies from 1991 to 2006 triggered by extreme weather events such as typhoons and increase in rain fall. This list of tragedies include the Legazpi Mudslide and the Guinsaugon, Leyte Landslide which the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters declared as 2nd and 3rd of the World's Deadliest Disasters of 2006, respectively. A total of 2,511 people were killed and almost 800,000 families were affected by these tragedies.

Satellite map of the Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines. Red markings indicate areas that arevulnerable to a one meter rise in sea level. Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte rank third, fifth, and nineteenth as the provinces most vulnerable to an increase in sea level in terms of land area that is at threat. A one meter rise in sea level is projected to inundate 3,781.89 hectares in Zamboanga del Sur, 3,274.02 hectares in Zamboanga Sibugay and 1,057.05 hectares in Zamboanga del Norte. Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte comprise the Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9 which has 5 major cities. It is situated in Mindanao Island, about 800 kilometers south of Manila. The map indicates that Region 9 is the second province most vulnerable to sea level rise.

Satellite map of the province of Camarines Sur. Red markings indicate areas that are vulnerable to a onemeter rise in sea level. Camarines Sur ranks tenth as the province most vulnerable to an increase in sea level in terms of land area that is at threat. A one meter rise in sea level is projected to inundate 2,268 hectares of land. The province is approximately 450 kilometers southeast of Manila. It has a population of at least 1,551,549 people. Ironically, Camarines Sur is not only vulnerable to sea level rise it is also considered as a province that is highly at risk to typhoons and variability in precipitation.

Satellite map of the province of Palawan in the Philippines. Red markings indicate areas that are vulnerable to a one meter rise in sea level. Palawan ranks second as the province most vulnerable to an increase in sea level in terms of land area that is at threat. A one meter rise in sea level is projected to inundate 6,428.16 hectares of land. Palawan is considered as the Philippine's last frontier. It is approximately 586 kilometers southwest of Manila. It has a population of at least 755,412 people from 81 cultural groups. It is famous for its World Heritage Sites--the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park.

Satellite map of the province of Sulu in the Philippines. Red markings indicate areas that are vulnerable to a one meter rise in sea level. Sulu ranks first as the province most vulnerable to an increase in sea level in terms of land area that is at threat. A one meter rise in sea level is projected to inundate 7,972.83 hectares of land. At least 90% of the land area of the Municipality of Pata and 34% of the Municipality of Marunggas, both in the province of Sulu, are at threat, potentially displacing communities, damaging infrastructure, and affecting livelihood. Sulu is in the southernmost part of the Philippines about 950 kilometers from Manila. It has a population of at least 619,668 people which includes the Badjaos or "sea gypsies" of the Sulu seas . It is famous for its Pearl Farm in Marunggas Island as well its white sand beaches and coral reefs.