My Home is Sinking: How Climate Change Affects the Philippines

BY: Cassandra Adoptante (London, UK)

The Philippines stands at the frontline of our global climate crisis. As a nation of over 7,000 islands with millions of coastal residents, its story illustrates the urgent reality of climate change. And for me, this story is deeply personal.

“Despite being the amongst the smallest contributors, the Philippines is the second most affected by climate impacts” - Climate Index 2020

My Journey: Connecting with My Filipino Roots

Both my parents were born and raised in the Philippines (Batangas and Pangasinan) before moving to Bilbao, Spain in 2003, where they had me, and eventually settling in London, England in 2008. They were determined to immerse us in our new surroundings, so our conversations revolved more around Spain and the UK rather than the Philippines. It felt as though they had moved on and never looked back. But at the same time their Filipino culture remained alive in our home, they spoke to each other in Tagalog, cooked sinigang, adobo, and lumpia, and took us to extravagant Filipino parties where we sang karaoke until 2am. They rarely shared stories about their homeland but I remember a conversation about how dragonflies were a big part of their childhood as they saw them often.

I first visited the Philippines at age 7 and haven’t returned since. I still remember waking up early to buy taho and the freshest batch of pandesal. At 14, I watched Shaun Monson’s documentary Earthlings, which completely shifted my perspective on the environment. It ignited a newfound interest in low to zero waste living, inspiring me to create my own natural products like lotions and perfumes. My mother would often share traditional remedies from the Philippines, deepening my appreciation for the indigenous knowledge woven into our culture. I began to understand the intrinsic beauty of nature and how it connects us all, motivating me to connect and protect it as much as I could.

I became a vegetarian at 16 and later pursued a bachelor’s degree in Environment and Sustainability. I delved into the planet’s complexities - from natural disasters to socio-political issues. When I learned about the devastating environmental challenges facing my parents' homeland, my homeland - it wasn't just another case study, it was personal. These weren't just statistics; they were stories about places my family once called home. This ignited a fierce determination to advocate for change.

The Philippines and Climate Change

The very country that shaped my identity is also one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Having over 7,000 islands, the Philippines faces the increasing threat of rising sea levels that endanger coastal communities and habitats. According to the World Bank data from 2023, the country experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, with many intensifying due to climate change.

Rising Sea Levels

When global temperature rises, polar ice melts causing sea levels to increase. Like other island nations facing submersion from rising seas, the Philippines faces an existential threat. Although this affects nations globally, due to the Philippines’ extensive coastline and low-lying islands, it is at the forefront of its risk. Communities living along the coast, especially in areas like Tacloban, risk losing their homes and livelihoods. Fishermen and farmers suffer as saltwater encroaches on freshwater sources, reducing the land available for agriculture and threatening the country’s food security.

Increased Frequency and Intensity of Typhoons

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually. When temperatures increase, warmer ocean temperatures lead to stronger typhoons, causing more destruction when they make landfall. The devastating impact became horrifyingly clear in 2013, when Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) claimed over 6,000 lives and remains one of the strongest ever recorded. Stronger typhoons cause widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, leaving millions displaced. Natural disaster recoveries take years, and the frequency of these events makes rebuilding even more difficult.

Biodiversity Loss

The Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of unique species found nowhere else on Earth. Yet this rich natural heritage faces unprecedented threats. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns threaten ecosystems such as coral reefs, forests, and mangroves.

Consider the delicate web of life in our ecosystems: the decreasing population of dragonflies, which serve as indicators of ecosystem health. They depend on freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and ponds for breeding and feeding. The destruction of breeding grounds and larval habitats could result in declining populations of dragonflies due to the changing weather patterns. Some dragonfly species like the globe skimmer (Pantala flavescens) are known for long-distance migrations, including in Southeast Asia. Climate change can affect wind patterns, rainfall, temperatures, and the availability of breeding habitats along with their migration routes. These changes ripple throughout the ecosystem, affecting everything from pollination to pest control.

Beyond individual species, entire ecosystems are at risk. Biodiversity loss affects both the environment and the livelihoods of people who depend on ecosystems for food, medicine, and tourism. Most critically, coral reefs providing natural barriers against storms are degrading, leading to increased vulnerability to storm surges and coastal erosion.

Agricultural and Food Security Threats

Climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, leading to both intense droughts or heavier rains, creating a devastating cycle for farmers. Rice farming, a cornerstone of Filipino agriculture and culture, becomes increasingly precarious as crops require specific conditions to thrive. Furthermore, droughts reduce water supplies for irrigation as floods can wipe out harvests, affecting both local food security and the economy.

Health Risks and Displacement

The changing climate increases health risks, as higher temperatures contribute to the spread of diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and waterborne illnesses. In the aftermath of extreme weather events, such as typhoons and floods, communities face poor sanitation and limited clean water. Vulnerable populations, especially those in poor and rural areas, face the greatest health risks. The combination of natural disasters and health emergencies puts immense pressure on the country's healthcare system.

The increasing intensity of natural disasters is forcing Filipinos (especially those in coastal and rural communities) to leave their homes, creating climate refugees. Climate-induced migration leads to overcrowding in urban areas, where resources are already strained, and many displaced people face poverty and lack of access to education or employment, creating long-term social challenges.

Economic Impacts

With recurring natural disasters, damage to infrastructure, health risks, and agricultural losses, the Philippines faces a mounting financial burden, having spent over ₱463 billion pesos (approximately £6.48 billion GBP or $8.2 billion USD) on climate-related disasters between 2010 and 2019 alone. Moreover, climate change affects tourism, a significant contributor to the economy, as beautiful ecosystems are damaged or becoming less accessible. The country’s economy is at risk of stagnating or even declining due to the costs of rebuilding after disasters, exacerbating inequality as poorer communities bear the brunt of climate-related damages.

Call to Action

Having been born and raised in the global North, I only realised how much we harm those in the global South as I have a part of me attached to it. When you personally witness the impact of climate change - when you're the one calling family after a typhoon or sending emergency funds - the crisis becomes real in a way news headlines never quite capture. Watching catastrophic events on the news and media is easy to ignore when you can change the channel and keep scrolling. However, when you’re calling your family back home, ensuring their safety, sending money and food to support them, you realise that it is a global responsibility to help those around you, because whilst the West keep demanding resourcing, the South face overexploitation, and I cannot blame immigrants for leaving home and seeking a better life when the place they once called home is slowly diminishing.

Like many others with ties to vulnerable regions, I've found myself wondering what I can do. While the challenge seems overwhelming, I've discovered there are meaningful ways we can all contribute to positive change.

The time for action is now. Whether you're in the Philippines or elsewhere, we share one planet and one fate.

In my own journey, I've found that small changes in daily life add up - from choosing public transport when I can, to being more mindful about energy use at home. These aren't dramatic lifestyle overhauls, just thoughtful choices that become habits over time.

I've connected with organisations like the Haribon Foundation, which works tirelessly to restore Philippine ecosystems. Whether through volunteer work or small donations, supporting such local efforts helps protect the landscapes that make the Philippines unique. Sometimes, change requires collective action. I've learned that joining community discussions about climate policies or sharing our stories with decision-makers can help shape a better future for vulnerable nations like the Philippines.

Perhaps most importantly, I've found power in sharing stories - not just of destruction and loss, but of hope and resilience. There are so many ins and outs of environmental issues that most people overlook, with so much media and opinions, it is easy to have information muddled. The Philippines isn't just a victim of climate change; it's a nation of people working tirelessly to protect their homeland. Share the beauty of what we’re protecting.

With over 7,000 islands and 116 million people, the future of the Philippines, its people, and the rich biodiversity that defines its landscape is in our hands. Every action we take - or don't take - shapes this future. We must ensure that future generations can wake up to the sight of dragonflies, hear the songs of birds, and experience the natural beauty that connects us all.

As my homeland sinks beneath rising seas, I realise that protecting nature isn't justabout preserving beauty - it's about preserving our very identity.

To protect nature is to protect the soul of a nation.