Rappler Talk: How can tourism promote climate resilience?

Bookmark this page to watch the interview on Rappler at 2 pm on Friday, March 17.

ALBAY, Philippines – The province of Albay is at the intersection of the typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire. The province, however, has transformed these disaster risks into opportunities.

The province has nurtured a culture of going green and disaster preparedness which is crucial to sustainable development. This approach turned the province into an environmental and tourism powerhouse through the “The Albay Green Economy” program.

Albay has expanded its forest cover by 88% in 7 years, from an initial 26,000 hectares of forest land to 44,000 hectares today. It has also seen a substantial increase in its mangroves, from 700 hectares of mangrove forests when the program was launched to 2,400 hectares today.

The province is also a hotbed of renewable energy, contributing 300 megawatts (MW) of geothermal energy to the national grid, with a potential of 350 MW more.

How is Albay doing this? Can the experience of the province be replicated in other areas? 

MovePH’s Voltaire Tupaz talks to Rome Candaza, an Albay-based climate action and tourism advocate, on Rappler Talk on Friday, 2 pm, March 17. 

You can also participate in the discussion on Twitter via #ClimateActionPH. – Rappler.com