The Environmental Movement and the Philippine Politics
The Environmental Movement and Philippine Politics A natural bridge from Southeast Asia, the Philippines archipelago is located in one of the richest marine realms in the world. With more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines is a large archipelago that stretches from below Taiwan all the way to the northeastern tip of Borneo at the south. The country is generally divided into 3 island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Hot, humid, and tropical, the Philippines climate may not accommodate the taste of all travelers, but it provides the right conditions for luxurious nature to thrive. From May to October, the southwest monsoon dominates, while from November to April, the dry winds of the northeast monsoon take over. It covers a restless part of the world. Most of the mountainous islands are volcanic, and the country also lies within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific. It also experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activities. The Philippines is a newly industrialized country with an agricultural base, light industry, and service-sector economy. Industrial production includes food, beverages, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals among others, with heavier industries dominated by the production of cement, glass, industrial chemicals, and refined petroleum products etc. However, long-term economic prospects are undermined by persisting poverty, inadequate infrastructure and education systems, and trade and investment barriers. The Philippines suffers from severe deforestation, deteriorating coastal resources, declining fish production and overflowing trash. This environmental state threatens the country’s remaining important global terrestrial and marine biodiversity. While total forest cover has increased in recent years, natural forests—habitats for most valuable plants and animals continue to be depleted and fragmented by illegal cutting and conversion to other uses. About 70% of coral reefs are already destroyed—overfishing and destructive fishing
Hot, humid, and tropical, the Philippines climate may not accommodate the taste of all travelers, but it provides the right conditions for luxurious nature to thrive. From May to October, the southwest monsoon dominates, while from November to April, the dry winds of the northeast monsoon take over. It covers a restless part of the world. Most of the mountainous islands are volcanic, and the country also lies within the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific. It also experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activities. The Philippines is a newly industrialized country with an agricultural base, light industry, and service-sector economy. Industrial production includes food, beverages, tobacco, and pharmaceuticals among others, with heavier industries dominated by the production of cement, glass, industrial chemicals, and refined petroleum products etc. However, long-term economic prospects are undermined by persisting poverty, inadequate infrastructure and education systems, and trade and investment barriers. The Philippines suffers from severe deforestation, deteriorating coastal resources, declining fish production and overflowing trash. This environmental state threatens the country’s remaining important global terrestrial and marine biodiversity. While total forest cover has increased in recent years, natural forests—habitats for most valuable plants and animals continue to be depleted and fragmented by illegal cutting and conversion to other uses. About 70% of coral reefs are already destroyed—overfishing and destructive fishing