“THE WATER IS ABOVE THE BRIDGE”: IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STILL POSSIBLE? Antonio G.M. La Viña, JSD Dean, Ateneo School of Government

All of these are causes of environmental degradation, including climate change, but can we do without them?

Can we adapt to the impacts of Climate Change Food Production Infrastructure Human health Increased Flooding Sea Level Rise

The Other Crisis: Losing the Diversity of Life Extractive industries – logging, mining Extractive industries – logging, mining Land conversion Land conversion Agriculture Agriculture Human settlements Human settlements Trade in species Trade in species Invasive species Invasive species Global warming Global warming Pollution Pollution

The Nitrogen Crisis

Is sustainable development still possible?

Seven Elements: Effective Environmental Governance National leadership - political will, integration and mainstreaming National leadership - political will, integration and mainstreaming Democratic local governments empowered and accountable, representative, capable Democratic local governments empowered and accountable, representative, capable Global cooperation essential Global cooperation essential Access principles (Information, Participation, Justice) Access principles (Information, Participation, Justice) Consensus building based on Common Interest Consensus building based on Common Interest Bridging Business and Social Sectors Bridging Business and Social Sectors Scientific, technical, financial and human resources Scientific, technical, financial and human resources

FROM BALI TO COPENHAGEN Comprehensive Process to end in COP 15 in Copenhagen Comprehensive Process to end in COP 15 in Copenhagen Long term goal for emissions reductions Long term goal for emissions reductions Mitigation commitments by all developed countries, including differentiated targets Mitigation commitments by all developed countries, including differentiated targets Appropriate mitigation actions by developi9ng countries Appropriate mitigation actions by developi9ng countries Addressing deforestation Addressing deforestation Adaptation Adaptation Technology Transfer Technology Transfer Financial resources Financial resources

Big Debate Prevention, Mitigation or Adaptation? Prevention, Mitigation or Adaptation? Are they necessarily in conflict with each other? Are they necessarily in conflict with each other?

My Answer We have to do all three. But it is time to think seriously about making adaptation our priority and first response. We have to do all three. But it is time to think seriously about making adaptation our priority and first response. Premises of this first answer: Premises of this first answer: Environmental degradation is upon us. Whatever we do now, we will already experience the impacts of what we have done to our world. Environmental degradation is upon us. Whatever we do now, we will already experience the impacts of what we have done to our world. The poor will suffer most from this degradation and will benefit most if we think about adaptation. The poor will suffer most from this degradation and will benefit most if we think about adaptation.

Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change At the national and local levels: At the national and local levels: Preparing for Disasters Preparing for Disasters Planning for Infrastructure Planning for Infrastructure Putting into place safety nets Putting into place safety nets Integrated coastal management Integrated coastal management Intensify conservation of biodiversity Intensify conservation of biodiversity Population Issues Population Issues At the international levels: At the international levels: Cooperation on best practices Financial and technical assistance Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage

Manila Observatory in Mindoro: Example of Low-cost Adaptation Technologies Cup Type Anemometer Gauge Tipping Bucket Rain

Mitigation measures as part of adaptation. Renewable energy Renewable energy Energy efficiency Energy efficiency Sustainable transport Sustainable transport Sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture Best practices in solid waste management Best practices in solid waste management

Adapting to Biodiversity Loss Protecting the last great places – national parks, protected areas Protecting the last great places – national parks, protected areas Ex-situ Conservation Ex-situ Conservation Botanical gardens Botanical gardens National museums National museums Special depositories (The Artic Project) Special depositories (The Artic Project) Breeding Programs Breeding Programs Conventional Conventional Genetic engineering Genetic engineering

NO REGRETS MEASURES IN SUM, GOOD ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES ARE NO- REGRETS MEASURES. WE GAIN EVRYTHING BY DOING THEM. THE BENEFITS USUALLY JUSTIFY THE COSTS. IN SUM, GOOD ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES ARE NO- REGRETS MEASURES. WE GAIN EVRYTHING BY DOING THEM. THE BENEFITS USUALLY JUSTIFY THE COSTS.

Conclusion: “Its sustainable development, stupid!” SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The Brundtland Commission, 1987

Haiku in Kyoto I do not want to be afraid of the rains and long for the memory of how they once made our mountains more beautiful to see and I do not want to weep for my children as I watch the sea.