Science-based solutions

The flood that transpired last week became both a moment of fear and laughter for many Cebuanos who were seemingly caught in the rain. Others made fun of how the high water levels turned the roads into a swimming pool of a resort. Many also expressed that it was a hassle and left them stranded in the streets for many hours. Families were also rescued, especially as the water rose into their homes. It was a whole spectacle. However, what we saw was only the tip of the iceberg of what is to come in the coming days and months. The rain is not the same as before. Even without a storm signal warning, it could pour heavily and for a longer period of time. These are the effects of climate change.

I know there will be those who find the change very drastic, as if it is the end of the world. We continue to discredit and deny that we are now at the forefront of the erratic weather conditions brought about by increased heat that may have disrupted rainfall. Our government continues to look at the situation as something natural when it is induced by humans and their activities. We are at the forefront of all these climate impacts.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was right when they said that local government units should introduce science-based solutions in addressing the flood. As it is today, it is no longer about dredging, cleanup, and extraction. While these methods still help mitigate the effects, what is ideal is to think long-term. When I heard of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. say in a clip that we should catch the rain, he was simply thinking practical. Because of the amount of rainfall, we must think about water catchment and redirection of the water flow.

There are also many science-based solutions that could help lessen the overspill of water in the event of a strong downpour. For a city like Cebu and its neighbors, the pavements are less porous due to structures and cement. However, there are many ways to ensure that water gets absorbed and is directed to a flow away from homes. There is no time to point fingers and blame whoever for the fast soil erosion in the cities. What can be done is to look at it from a proactive lens while ensuring that policies are in place so that it does not happen again.

The next time we experience a water world, the key is to have a mindset that thinks in advance. Truth be told, it all boils down to the individual's responsibility in adapting to the impacts. We cannot just rely on the government to do everything for us to attain climate justice. They can take the lead, but we also have to follow. More importantly, trust is highly needed to attain goals, especially in the current climate situation. What I'm sure of is when all else fails, experts from the scientific community can offer nuggets of wisdom.