By: Perlyn M. Pulhin

The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) held the Future Earth, Future Philippine (FEFP) Scientific Conferenceand 81^st General Membership Assembly on 26-27 March 2014 at the Manila Hotel. The FEEP Conference aimed to link the local and global initiatives to help accelerate the approach to global and national sustainability. OML Center Scientific Director, Dr. Rodel Lasco and Program Manager, Ms. Perlyn Pulhin represented the Center together with Lopez Group Corporate Sustainability Officer, Ms. Agnes de Jesus.

Hundreds of Filipino researchers, scientists, technologists, innovators, and economist convened to discuss the prospects of Future Earth, Future Philippines. This theme was in pursuit of the global endeavor spearheaded by International Council for Science (ICSU) designed to provide the critical knowledge required for societies to face the challenges posed by global environmental change (including climate change) and to identify opportunities for transition to global sustainability.

The first day activities included the paper presentations of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo and three world renowned scientists.  DOST Secretary Montejo’s presentation was about Sustainability for Future Philippines. The 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and President of ICSU, Dr. Yuan T. Lee expounded on the matters concerning Future Earth, the Initiative for Global Sustainability. ICSU Director for Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Prof. Nordin Hassan illustrated what lies ahead for the countries in Asia on his presentation Future Earth, the Regional Perspective. Lastly, Executive Director of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), Dr. Stephen Adrian Ross showed some opportunities from Asian marine resources on Prospects for Sustainability of the Seas of East Asia.

On the second day, experts were invited to present on the following topics:  atmospheric and environmental change; health and human well-being; marine and aquatic ecosystem; terrestrial ecosystem; and economic transformation towards sustainable development. After the presentation, the participants engaged in five parallel workshops to come up with research plans, programs, and policy recommendations which may contribute in addressing the impacts of the “future earth scenarios” to humankind.

The proceedings of this event were headed by DOST Secretary Montejo, NRCP President Lourdes J. Cruz, NRCP Vice-President Ester B. Ogena together with the Members of the NRCP Governing Board and its Executive Director Carina G. Lao.

About NRCP

The NRCP, which is established on December 8, 1933 by the virtue of Act 4120, is now considered to be the oldest collegial and scientific advisory body of the Philippine government and the first in Asia Pacific. From 114 pioneering scientists, now the NRCP has more than 3 thousand members who are world renowned researchers, scientists, technologists, innovators, and economists and who continuously provide the various sectors and stakeholders with myriad of research-based knowledge useful in sustaining and maintaining the well-being of the Filipinos and the entire nation as well.

You may download the paper presentations here.