2nd ASEAN science diplomats gather for climate change confab

Apr. 25, 2018

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Scientists gathered recently to discuss misconceptions on the climate change.

Glenn Banaguas, chairperson of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Science Diplomats and executive director of the Environmental and Climate Research Institute (ECRI), said during the gathering at the Ritz Hotel here that ordinary folks do not understand the terminologies used by the scientists.

“We do not want to limit our research work or model to our co-scientists. That is why we conduct training and seminars to the universities and schools,” he said.

Banaguas added that they want to share this advocacy not only in the Philippines but also to the ASEAN members.

Dr. Richard Lemence, assistant professor at the Institute of Mathematics at the UP-Diliman, said there is a gap between the policy makers and local scientists.

Lemence said, there is an issue on what terms to use.

The five-day assembly, organized by ECRI, the De La Salle Araneta University, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of the Philippines, sought to gather outstanding scientists and engineers in the ASEAN region who will be trained in scientific language communication in the context of climate change and energy.

A briefer released by MinDA said that the assembly aimed to enhance regional and international cooperation to address the issues of climate change and its impact on socio-economic development, health, and the environment through the implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, training, and capacity building.

It also aimed to address communication gaps for effective implementation of programs addressing problems in climate change, food security, water sufficiency, and sustainable energy.

There were 16 scientists from the ASEAN region participating in the assembly that started last April 23 and will end on April 27. (davaotoday.com)

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