The 2nd National Conference on Climate Change successfully concluded last September 26, 2013 at the Traders Hotel, Manila. This was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology under the Department of Science and Technology (NAST-DOST) in partnership with the OML Center.

With the theme “Linking Climate Knowledge to Action”, this year’s conference provided a venue where scientists, researchers and practitioners all over the country can discuss, develop and promote climate knowledge for action in the Philippines. The conference aimed to provide a venue for sharing of scientific results and findings; identify priority research and develop agenda; and discuss policy implications of research outputs.

Experts and practitioners on climate knowledge were invited to discuss their expertise, studies and current efforts on crucial topics related climate change such as renewable energy and climate change mitigation, analytical tools for climate adaptation, settlements and housing, food security and biodiversity and risk insurance in the plenary sessions and on climate science, economics of mitigation and adaptation, social, health and migration and water and engineering and food security and natural ecosystem in the concurrent parallel sessions.

The event also provided a venue for sharing of scientific studies through an exhibit of posters, in which best posters were chosen. The first prize was given to “Creating Climate-Disaster Resiliency on the Indigenous People, ‘Tagbanuas’, in Coron, Palawan” by Dr. Glenn Banaguas et al. of the De La Salle -Araneta University.

The event was attended by more than 200 participants from various research and academic institutions all over the country. At the closing session, Dr. Rodel Lasco, Chair of the NAST-DOST Climate Change Task Force, OML Center Scientific Director, and Chair of the Conference’ Organizing Committee highlighted the take home messages: science is needed to inform policy makers and practitioners; there is significant progress in the science of climate change in the country; our science must lead to action; and, the future is bright with many young scientists.