Beginning Of The End

Yolanda has come and gone. In its wake lies havoc and death.

This is the beginning of the end. The fury of nature is soon to be felt. The consequence of our disregard of our environment is upon us.

In the next couple of years, storms will be stronger and deadlier. Death tolls will be higher. More infrastructure will be destroyed. Still, our government will be reacting to these disasters the best way they know: sound the alarm, brace for the worst, provide relief in the aftermath.

Nowhere found in that response is a creative and ambitious solution aimed at mitigating the risks and alleviating damage. I'm talking about massive infrastructure projects to hold out the sea, relocation plans for coastal cities, more stringent building codes to withstand super typhoon winds, more resistant farm architecture, better food security practices, and the stuff.

Worldwide, talks among nations on how to deal with climate change has devolved from prevention to adaptation. Our leaders are resigned to the fact that, despite our technology, we cannot avert the effects of global warming, that the best way to respond is to adjust. 

Earlier this year, Mayor Bloomberg of New York City has unveiled an initiative to make the city more resilient to climate change. 

Filipinos are also known for resilience, to rise up when adversity beats us down. But human spirit can only go so far. 

When it fails, we will look up to our elected leaders for a way out only to find that they are as bewildered as us. I hate to be the pessimist but when the days come, our incompetence and greed will be our undoing.