According to the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report released last week, last year was the warmest year on record so far in the region, harming ecosystems and economies.
The report noted that in the Philippines, an unprecedented 12 tropical cyclones were experienced from September to November – more than double the average – caused by persistently high ocean heat content in the Philippine Sea that began mid-April, among other factors.
“Across the entire sequence, over 13 million people were impacted in 17 of the country’s 18 regions, with more than 1.4 million displaced,” the report added, calling the collective impact of the 12 cyclones “devastating” as early estimates of damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture reached up to $430 million.
Aside from the losses, the World Meteorological Organization report highlighted how certain “timely interventions” such as the distribution of unconditional cash transfers, and evacuation of fishing boats to safer grounds, helped Filipino communities prepare and respond to the impacts of an upcoming typhoon.
“Strengthened early warning systems and anticipatory action in the Philippines enabled communities to prepare and respond to the storms, helping to protect lives, and ensure dignified, timely support as climate-related shocks become more frequent and intense,” the study said.
Anticipatory action will be a “key approach” for front line communities when responding to impending extreme weather events, especially as climate-related shocks are expected to grow in frequency and intensity.
The report cautioned that the frequency of super typhoons as well as the average maximum wind speeds of tropical cyclones were expected to rise, which will affect millions of Filipinos and cause severe damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and coastal areas.
Super typhoons in the Philippines are not a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when’, and as among the most vulnerable countries on the planet, Filipino communities should always be prepared for these super storms, particularly during the typhoon season, which for this year is fast approaching. Our level of preparation, which could determine how resilient our towns and cities are to these extreme weather events, also has to increase with every year, as the planet heats up, which also increases the frequency and intensity of those threats.*
