The talk about super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) elicited concern about the increasing threat of natural disasters due to climate change. Utah is one of the states that has been feeling the effects of climate change. Last May, the Utah state legislature passed a landmark climate change resolution recognizing the effects of climate change on citizens, acknowledging that “responsible stewardship and prudent management of natural resources is needed.” According to an environmental advocate and watchdog organization, Utah is the first conservative state legislature to pass a resolution acknowledging the existence of climate change. With the Philippines deemed as one of the most vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, the government is stepping up efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change by shifting government policies and programs from disaster response to disaster risk reduction and preparedness. One thing is clear: The increasing severity of typhoons and extreme weather occurrences in many parts of the world shows that climate change is a reality that is already upon us – we have to brace ourselves with more disasters to come.

Source: Philippine Star September 15, 2018 15:11 UTC