A 7-year Critical Analysis of the Philippine Typhoons:

Its Environmental, Economic, and Social Impact.

INTRODUCTION

As a result of the geographic location of the Philippines, the country experiences

tropical rainforest climate. Countries near the equator also undergo similar climate.

Examples of some countries would be Singapore, Thailand, and Mexico. A tropical

rainforest climate means that the country only experiences two types of seasons, the wet

and the dry. This is based on the volume of rainfall or precipitation annually.

PAGASA or Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration, monitors the weather of the country. PAGASA was established in the

year 1972, and also was known as The Weather Bureau beforehand. With many years

of experience, PAGASA shows full competency and experience in predicting the weather

for the benefit of every Filipino.

The warmest months is experienced every March to October, while the coldest

months are November to February. May is the warmest month, and January is the coolest.

The two monsoons that affect the Philippines are the summer southwest monsoon and the

winter northeast monsoon. The summer southwest monsoon, also known as the habagat

is the strong wind that is responsible for the notable amount of precipitation in Southeast

Asia. This is felt from April to October every year. On the other hand, the winter

northeast monsoon, also known as the amihan. The Hangin Amihan is less strong than

the Hangin Habagat. Instead of precipitation, it brings a cool and dry breeze. This is felt

from October to early April of each year.

 It is ordinary for the country to have many typhoons because it is located in the

typhoon belt along the pacific. From July to October, the country faces a barrage of

dangerous typhoons. These typhoons are posing as a great peril to Northern and Eastern

Luzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas. Typhoons in the Philippines are locally known

as Bagyo; this is due to the typhoon that hit Baguio in 1911.

A Bagyo or Typhoon can be categorized into four types according to its wind

speed. These categories are Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Typhoon, and Super

Typhoon. A tropical depression has sustained winds between 56-64 km/h. A tropical

storm has sustained winds between 65-119 km/h. A Typhoon has sustained winds

between 120-185 km/h., and lastly, a Super Typhoon has a maximum sustained wind

exceeding 185 km/h.

From PAG-ASAs statistics (1948-2004), around an average of 20 storms and/or

typhoons per year enter the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility). Those that made

landfall, the average was nine per year. In 1993, a record that 19 typhoons made landfall

in the country making it the most in one year. The least amount per year was 4 during the

years of 1955, 1958, 1992 and 1997.

According to Brown (2013), the Philippines is the most storm exposed country on

Earth. The average death toll for these disasters is from 1,000 up to 2,000 Filipinos.

Before Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit, Typhoon Thelma was known to be the deadliest

storm, which killed around 5,100 in 1991. Strong typhoons will likely produce extreme

damage to the countrys agriculture and infrastructure. Given that the Philippines is one

of the poorest countries, a majority of the Filipino citizens live off unsatisfactory housing

and infrastructure.
 Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which was categorized as a category 5 super typhoon

brought vast damage to the Philippines. Most of which was in the islands of Visayas. It is

considered as the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines with sustained winds at 195

km/h. a death toll of 6,340 people was reached, surpassing the 5,100 death toll of typhoon

Thelma. Typhoon Yolanda also produced storm surges, which caused the most damage to

the city of Tacloban, Leyte.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. What is the environmental impact of the strong typhoons that hit the Philippines

for the past 7 years?

2. What is the bearing during and after the strong typhoons to the economic status of

the Philippines?
3. How does the devestation from typhoons affect the lives of the Filipino people

physically and socially?

OBJECTIVES

1. To know how many typhoons hit and damage the philippines and how it is related

to the current events

2. To have an overview of the weather patterns and to have current conditions and to

figure out whether or not it is worsening.

3. To be knowledgable of the proper preparations and safety precautions for future

incoming typhoons as well as the PAGASA predicitons.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Typhoon Background

DRIVING FORCES OF WEATHER

Atmospheric moisture

Water is certainly vital to life on Earth. But think for a moment about waters

immense role in the physical processes of Earth water shapes Earths surface and

governs its weather. And no matter how dry air may feel at times, it is never completely

dry some concentration of water vapor is always present.

But instead of saying concentration of water vapor, we use the much shorter

tern humidity. Specifically, humidity is the mass of water vapor per volume of air, just as

concentration is the mass of solute per volume of solution. It is important to note,

however, that when you hear TV weather forecasters describing humidity, they are

actually talking about relative humidity. Relative humidity depends on temperature it

describes the amount of water vapor currently in the air compared to the maximum

amount of water vapor that could be in the air at that specific temperature. The maximum

amount varies depending on the temperature.

Think of water vapor-vapor capacity in the same way that you think of mineral

solubility the solubility of salt in water, for example. At a given temperature, the

concentration of salt dissolved in water has an upper limit the salts solubility. The

solubility concentration cannot be exceeded add more salt and it does not dissolve.

The same is true for the concentration of water vapor in air. At a given temperature, the

humidity has an upper limit that cannot be exceeded, just as each mineral has a solubility

limit. The humidity limit is called the saturation vapor pressure.* When air reaches its

saturation vapor pressure, the humidity cannot increase, and the relative humidity is

100%. The air is said to be saturated.

 The saturation vapor pressure varies with temperature because there are two

competing processes the evaporation rate and the condensation rate. The evaporation

rate depends on temperature, but the condensation rate does not it depends only on the

humidity. Then the evaporation rate equals the condensation rate at any temperature

air is saturated, and the relative humidity is 100%.

Interestingly, evaporation and condensation are always happening neither ever

stops. When the evaporation rate is greater than the condensation rate, the relative

humidity is always less than 100%. The greater the difference between the evaporation

rate and the condensation rate, the lower the relative humidity, and the drier the air feels.

On the other hand, if the condensation rate is greater than the evaporation rate, the

air is saturated and there is an excess of water vapor. In such a case, the excess water

vapor condenses to form liquid water, because the evaporation rate is not fast enough to

turn the freshly created liquid water back to vapor before more water condenses. Because

slower-moving molecules characterize lower air temperatures, saturation and

condensation are more likely to occur in cool air than in warm air.

The relative humidity also dropped, because no water vapor was added the air

was no longer saturated at the higher temperature.

What would happen if we started with 20C air and a relative humidity of 60%

then lowered the temperature to 10C? As the temperature decreased, the evaporation rate

would slow down, but water vapor would continue to condense at the same rate as it did

when the air was 20C. The saturation vapor pressure and the evaporation rate would

both go down, so the relative humidity would be 100% - the air would be saturated.

When the temperature drops below 12C, condensation rules and liquid water droplets
form rain. Evaporation and condensation are essentially opposites of each other. They

are phase-change process between the liquid and gaseous states of water. And as we

know, liquid water changes to a solid it freezes at 0C. Water can also change phase

from solid to gas and from gas to solid without becoming liquid in between. When ice

changes phase directly to water vapor, the process is called sublimation. The opposite

process water vapor changes directly to ice is called deposition.

TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND CONDESSATION

As an air parcel rises, it expands. The expansion occurs because the air moves to a

region of lower air pressure. Air cools when it expands. This seems like a contradiction,

because warm air rises. But a rising air parcel must do work on the surrounding

environment in order to expand. And doing that work uses energy, which is lost in the

form of heat. As the air cools, water molecules move slower and condensation outpaces

evaporation. Liquid water forms on microscopic particles of dust, smoke, and salt cloud

condensation nuclei and this creates a cloud. As the sizes of the cloud droplets grow,

they fall to Earth and we have rain. Rain is but one form of precipitation. Other familiar

forms of precipitation are mist, hail, snow, and sleet.

Water vapor does not need to be high in a cloud to form precipitation

condensation can occur in air close to the ground, as well. When condensation occurs at

or near Earths surface, we call it dew, fog, or frost. On cool, clear nights, objects near the

ground cool down more rapidly than the surrounding air. As the air cools, the saturation

vapor pressure drops and the air cannot accommodate as much water vapor as when the

air warmer. When the temperature drops below a certain threshold, called the dew point

temperature, the air becomes saturated relative humidity is 100% - and condensation
dominates. In the case, cloud condensation nuclei are not needed. Water from the now-

saturated air condenses on any available surface a twig, a blade of grass, the windshield

of a car, and so on. We often call this type of condensation early-morning dew, because

it occurs when daily temperatures are the coldest, just before sunrise. When the dew point

is at or below waters freezing point, we have frost. When a large mass of air cools and

reaches its dew point, we get a cloud near the ground fog (Hewitt, Hewitt, & Suchocki,

2008) (Harress, 2013).

Signals and side effects

There are different signals of strength for every typhoon that hits the Philippines.

Before a typhoon be named as such, it is first classified as a tropical depression if it does

not reach the sustained winds to be called a typhoon. The PAGASA has devised signal

number 1, 2, 3 and 4 for

Signal number 1 is a cyclone that will a have expected winds of 30-60kph.

Intermittent rain may be expected in at least 36 hours. This type of cyclone or storm has

very light or no damage to an affected area,

Signal number 2 is a cyclone with expected winds of 60-100 kph. This storm and

wind may cause trees to be uprooted, and light to moderate damages to households.

Signal number 3 is a cyclone with 100 to 185 kph of sustained winds. Moderate to

heavy damage to infrastructure, agriculture and households are expected. Possible

disruptions of electricity and communication signals are anticipated.

Signal number 4 typhoons have with sustained winds of more than 185 kph. This

is the strongest classification of typhoons. Heavy damages to residential areas, agriculture

and other infrastructure are surely expected. Power and communication may be disrupted

depending on the damages. Heavy flooding may also be possible in low areas.

During a typhoon affecting a specific area, there may be flooding, and storm

surges. If the ocean water recedes abnormally, it is a sign of a storm surge. This is a

precaution to move to higher ground. A storm surge is similar to a tsunami. The

difference of a storm surge and a tsunami is the cause of each, which is from changes in

storm intensity, and from displacements in sea floor or volcanic activity respectively

(Esguerra, 2013).

Safety Precautions

Before, during, and after typhoons hit have different safety precautions. Given the

knowledge of the incoming typhoon, there should not be any panic. Before a typhoon, a

person must remember to store food that do not need cooking like canned goods and

drinking water in case of a chance at being stranded. Flashlights and candles will also be

needed in case electricity will be shut down.

During a typhoon, it is important to stay indoors and keep updated with weather

forecasts, flooding, and possible storm surges. Avoiding floodwater is a precaution

because it is possibly electrocuted or an individual may get an illness like leptospirosis.

Staying alert during this period is necessary because of possible evacuation.

After a typhoon, the only safety precaution left is to assure your home is stable

and to be wary of possible live wires immersed in water (Santos & Corrales, 2014).

7-Year History
LIST OF TYPHOONS THAT ENTERED THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF
RESPONSIBILTY
Name of typhoon Date/Year Classification
1. Ambo Apr 14-15 2008 Tropical storm
2. Butchoy May 8-12 2008 Typhoon
3. Cosme May 14-20 2008 Tropical storm
4. Dindo May 15-16 2008 Tropical storm
5. Enteng May 30-Jun 2 2008 Typhoon
6. Frank Jun 18-23 2008 Typhoon
7. Gener Jul 4-5 2008 Tropical Depression
8. Helen Jul 14-18 2008 Typhoon
9. Igme Jul 24-29 2008 Typhoon
10. Julian Aug 3-5 2008 Tropical Storm
11. Karen Aug 17-21 2008 Typhoon
12. Lawin Aug 25-28 2008 Tropical Depression
13. Marce Sept 8-14 2008 Typhoon
14. Nina Sept 19-23 2008 Typhoon
15. Ofel Sept 25-29 2008 Typhoon
16. Pablo Sept 29-Oct 2 2008 Tropical storm
17. Quinta Nov 6-11 2008 Tropical storm
18. Rolly Nov 8-9 2008 Tropical Depression
19. Siony Nov 12-13 2008 Tropical Depression
20. Tonyo Nov 13-15 2008 Tropical Depression
21. Ulysses Dec 13-18 2008 Typhoon
(PAGASA, 2008)
1. Auring Jan 3-6 2009 Tropical Depression
2. Bising Feb 12-13 2009 Tropical Depression
3. Crising Apr 30-May 2 2009 Tropical depression
4. Dante May 2-5 2009 Typhoon
5. Emong May 6-9 2009 Tropical Depression
6. Peria Jun 23-25 2009 Tropical Storm
7. Gorio Jul 9-10 2009 Tropical Depression
8. Huaning Jul 12-13 2009 Tropical storm
9. Isang Jul 14-18 2009 Tropical Storm
10. Jolina Jul 30-Aug 2 2009 Tropical Storm
11. Kiko Aug 3-9 2009 Typhoon
12. Maring Sept 8-9 2009 Tropical Depression
13. Nando Sept 12-13 2009 Tropical Storm
14. Ondoy Sept 25-27 2009 Tropical Storm
15. Pepeng Sept 30-Oct 5 2009 Typhoon
16. Quedan Oct 5-6 2009 Typhoon
17. Ramil Oct 16-25 2009 Typhoon
18. Santi Oct 28-Nov 1 2009 Typhoon
19. Tino Nov 2-3 2009 Tropical Depression
20. Urduja Nov 23-25 2009 Tropical Depression
21. Vinta Dec 2-3 2009 Tropical Depression
(PAGASA, 2009)
1. Agaton Mar 24-27 2010 Tropical Storm
2. Basyang Jul 12-15 2010 Typhoon
3. Caloy Jul 19-20 2010 Tropical Storm
4. Domeng Aug 3-5 2010 Tropical Storm
5. Ester Aug 6-9 2010 Tropical Storm
6. Florita Aug 27-28 2010 Tropical Depression
7. Glenda Aug 29-31 2010 Typhoon
8. Henry Sept 3-4 2010 Tropical Storm
9. Inday Sept 15-19 2010 Tropical Storm
10. Juan Oct 15-21 2010 Typhoon
11. Katring Oct 23-28 2010 Typhoon
(PAGASA, 2010)
1. Amang Apr 3-4 2011 Tropical Depression
2. Bebeng May 6-11 2011 Tropical Storm
3. Chedeng May 23-28 2011 Typhoon
4. Dodong Jun 9-10 2011 Tropical storm
5. Egay Jun 17-20 2011 Tropical Depression
6. Falcon (Harmon, Jun 21-25 2011 Tropical Storm
2013)
7. Goring Jul 9-10 2011 Tropical Depression
8. Hanna Jul 15-16 2011 Tropical Depression
9. Ineng Jul 17 2011 Typhoon
10. Juaning Jul 25-28 2011 Tropical Storm
11. Kabayan Jul 28-Aug 4 2011 Typhoon
12. Lando Jul 31-Aug 1 2011 Tropical Depression
13. Mina Aug 21-29 2011 Typhoon
14. Nonoy Sept 8 2011 Tropical Storm
15. Onyok Sept 12-13 2011 Tropical Depression
16. Pedring Sept 24-28 2011 Typhoon
17. Quiel Sept 29-Oct 2 2011 Typhoon
18. Ramon Oct 10-14 2011 Tropical storm
19. Sendong Dec 15-18 2011 Tropical Storm
(PAGASA, 2011)
1. Ambo May 31-Jun 5 2012 Typhoon
2. Butchoy Jun 14-18 2012 Typhoon
3. Carina Jun 20 2012 Tropical Storm
4. Dindo Jun 26-29 2012 Tropical Storm
5. Enteng Jul 16-17 2012 Tropical Storm
6. Ferdie Jul 20-21 2012 Tropical Depression
7. Gener Jul 28-Aug 2 2012 Tropical Storm
8. Helen Aug 12-16 2012 Tropical Storm
9. Igme Aug 19-27 2012 Typhoon
10. Julian Aug 23-26 2012 Typhoon
11. Karen Sept 11-15 2012 Typhoon
12. Lawin Sept 20-29 2012 Typhoon
13. Marce Oct 4-5 2012 Tropical Storm
14. Nina Oct 8-17 2012 Tropical Storm
15. Ofel Oct 22-25 2012 Tropical Storm
16. Pablo Dec 2-9 2012 Typhoon
17. Quinta Dec 25-27 2012 Tropical Storm
(PAGASA, 2012)
1. Auring Jan 3-4 2013 Tropical Storm
2. Bising Jan 11-13 2013 Tropical Depression
3. Crising Feb 18-21 2013 Tropical Depression
4. Dante Jun 7-10 2013 Tropical Storm
5. Emong Jun 16-20 2013 Tropical Storm
6. Fabian Jun 20-21 2013 Tropical Depression
7. Gorio Jun 27-Jul 1 2013 Tropical Storm
8. Huaning Jul 10-13 2013 Typhoon
9. Isang Jul 16-18 2013 Tropical Storm
10. Jolina Jul 30-31 2013 Tropical Storm
11. Kiko Aug 5-6 2013 Tropical Depression
12. Labuyo Aug 9-12 2013 Typhoon
13. Maring Aug 17-21 2013 Severe Tropical Storm
14. Nando Aug 25-29 2013 Tropical Storm
15. Odette Sept 16-21 2013 Typhoon
16. Paolo Sept 26-27 2013 Tropical Storm
17. Quedan Sept 29-Oct 5 2013 Typhoon
18. Ramil Oct 6-7 2013 Typhoon
19. Santi Oct 8-13 2013 Typhoon
20. Tino Oct 14-15 2013 Typhoon
21. Urduja Oct 22-24 2013 Typhoon
22. Vinta Oct 29-Nov 1 2013 Typhoon
23. Wilma Nov 4 2013 Tropical Depression
24. Yolanda Nov 6-9 2013 Typhoon
25. Zoraida Nov 11-12 2013 Typhoon
(PAGASA, 2013)
1. Agaton Jan 18-20 2014 Tropical Depression
2. Basyang Jan 30-Feb 1 2014 Tropical Depression
3. Caloy Mar 21-22 2014 Tropical Depression
4. Domeng Apr 7-10 2014 Tropical Depression
5. Ester Jun 10-11 2014 Tropical Storm
6. Florita Jul 5-8 2014 Typhoon
7. Glenda Jul 13-17 2014 Typhoon
8. Henry Jul 19-23 2014 Typhoon
9. Inday July 29-31 2014 Tropical Storm
10. Jose Aug 2-7 2014 Typhoon
11. Karding Sept 6 2014 Tropical Depression
 12. Luis Sept 12-15 2014 Typhoon
13. Mario Sept 17-21 2014 Tropical Storm
14. Neneng Oct 3-4 2014 Typhoon
15. Ompong Oct 7-11 2014 Typhoon
16. Paeng Oct 31-Nov 4 2014 Typhoon
17. Queenie Nov 26-28 2014 Tropical Storm
18. Ruby Dec 3-10 2014 Typhoon
19. Seniang Dec 28-31 Tropical Storm
(PAGASA, 2014)

In analysis of the data, year 2013 had the most number of tropical cyclones that

have visited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with a total of 25 Tropical

Cyclones .2008 and 2009 follows the list with 21 tropical cyclones. The year with the

least number of cyclone visits to the PAR was year 2010. It is noticeable that since 2010,

the number of typhoons that have been entering the PAR has been increasing.

The deadliest typhoon has been the infamous Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 with a

death toll of 6,201. At least 3,424,593 families or 16,078,181 individuals were affected

by the typhoon Yolanda, with 4,095,280 people displaced. The cost of damage from the

super typhoon is P36,690,882,497.27, specifically P18,336,576,627.39 for infrastructure

and P18,354,305,869.88 for agriculture products (ABS-CBN News, 2014).

According to Legaspi (2012), typhoon Pablo in 2012 is the strongest storm to hit

Mindanao in 2 decades. It is also the strongest typhoon that hit the philippines in 2012.

Typhoon Pablo has destroyed P36.95 billion worth of infrastructure, agricultural products

and private properties. The agriculture sector was the hardest hit with P26.53 billion

worth of damage. The amount of damage in infrastructure and private properties totaled

P7.57 billion and P2.86 billion, respectively (Romero, 2012).

In 2011, Tropical Storm Sendong was named the worlds deadliest storm. The

storm that hit northern mindanao, visayas region and palawan carrying an unusual
amount of rainwater. Sendong was carrying 50 mm of rainwater which is almost the same

amount as Ondoy back in 2009 (Malig, 2011).

2010 was the year with the least number of typhoons, however, it is imminent that

a strong typhoon will not hit. Compared to the ones mentioned above, Typhoon Juan is

not as destructive. But damage has still been done and to the famers in northern Luzon, it

is their livelihood that has been stripped from them. The provinces of Isabella and

Cagayan were accepted the worst hit from Typhoon Juan with P 921 million damage to

crops (Suarez, 2010).

Metro Manila experienced severe flooding in 2009 due to Tropical Storm Ondoy.

In a span of 6 hours, Ondoy was able to release a months worth of rainfall. 23 provinces

and Metro Manila were put under a state of calamity due to the devestation. Due to the

severe flooding, an outbreak of leptospirosis was a result. Ondoy affected 993,227

families or 4,901,234 people, and from the total of affected population, 464 were killed,

529 injured, and 37 were missing (Olan, 2014).

Typhoon Frank affected the visayas region but most especially Iloilo. More than

half of the city experienced flooding and estimated damage is around P12.6 billion.

4,785,460 people were affected by the typhoon (De La Cruz, 2014).

Economic Impact

TYPHOON HAIYAN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT: DEVASTATION TO

COST UP TO $14 BILLION BUT MARKETS REMAIN LARGELY UNAFFECTED

 Typhoon Haiyan left as many as 10,000 people dead and destroyed towns across

the Philippines over the weekend as the category 5 typhoon, with winds reaching 195

mph and gusts of 235 mph, made landfall on Friday night. While the death toll will likely

grow, the country's economists and international aid agencies have predicted that the

economic impact could be up to $14 billion, with only $2 billion to come from insurance,

according to a report by Kinetic Analysis Corp.

President Benigno Aquino III has said that the government will use 23 billion

pesos ($533 million) to help immediate salvage and rebuilding operations in ravaged

towns across the country. Meanwhile, the peso dropped 0.3 percent against the dollar and

the Philippine stock market fell 2.2 percent in the first hour of trading on Monday

morning. However, its expected that the fallout from the typhoon will primarily be felt

on the ground rather than in the markets, said JP Garcia, head of institutional business at

BPA Asset Management.

"This is a very unfortunate event. It's unprecedented in terms of the damage done

[to the region]...The market will likely, of course, see some correction from here in the

short term, [but] in terms of the impacts on earnings for listed companies, I think the

impact is not as adverse as the devastation on the ground," said Garcia. He expected that

the market damage, if any, would not be felt until the first quarter of 2014, but that the

agricultural sector will immediately feel the hit, adding that the Leyte region, which

produces high volumes of rice and sugar, was hit badly by the typhoon.

In recent years the Philippines has seen unprecedented growth, with the

government hoping to beat the 6.6 percent growth it saw in 2012. Reaching that goal
seems unlikely now, given the severity of the damage. But the damaged areas will need to

be rebuild and unemployment is likely to fall overall, offsetting the damage to growth and

helping the country continue its ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure.

After the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, the rupiah fell about 10 percent, and its

expected that similar pressures will impact the peso, said Ray Attrill, co-head of FX

strategy at the National Australian bank. Attril also believes that increased remittances

from the large number of Philippino workers abroad and foreign aid would help soften

the short-term blow. The countrys finance minister, Cesar Purisma, told CNBC on

Monday that the typhoon would cut about 8 percent to 10 percent off the regions GDP

next year and around 1 percent from overall growth (Harress, 2013).

Environmental Impact

THE UNKNOWN IMPACT OF TYPHOON HAIYAN

Typhoon Haiyan, the thirtieth named storm of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season,

slammed the central Philippine provinces on November 8, with winds peaking around

314 km/h (195 mph) and a six meter (20 ft) storm surge. Known in the Philippines as

Yolanda, Haiyan is the strongest tropical cyclone making landfall on record, surpassing

Atlantic Hurricane Camilles record of 305 km/h (190mph) in 1969. It is also the second

deadliest, and the toll of human loss and damage continues to rise.

Today people are just trying to survive after all that was built by human hands had

been destroyed by one of natures fiercest climatic events. Yet, the extent of the

devastation remains unknown as local officials claim the death toll in Leyte, the worst hit
province, exceeds 10,000, while President Benigno Aquino III estimated the overall death

toll was more likely between 2,000 and 2,500. As devastating as the loss of life is with

either estimate, it could have been much worse if not for the efforts of PAGASA, the

Philippines meteorological agency, which broadcast warnings two days before Haiyan

hit, leading to the evacuation of approximately 750,000 residents.

Over 13 million people have been affected by Haiyan including 9.8 million residents of

the Philippine Islands. Nearly a half-million homes were damaged or destroyed. The

storm continued to wreak havoc west of the Philippines before dissipating over China on

November 11. The loss of human life, lack of sanitation, skyrocketing prices and a

shattered economy are only the beginning of the human toll at natures hands.

Yet, the full impact of this massive storm is yet to be realized and could have

significant environmental impact affecting the human condition for years to come. While

the storm leaves in its wake thousands of uprooted trees and untold environmental

damage, the carbon dioxide (CO2) the storm released by uprooting trees and topsoil,

where CO2 is stored, is massive.

Many scientists believe that such storms act as part of a positive feedback cycle,

in that climate change is causing more significant natural disasters, which in turn release

more CO2 further contributing to increased climate change. According to the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global CO2 levels surpassed 400 parts per

million due in part to human activity but also due to Mother Nature.
 According to the World Bank, in 2008 CO2 emissions per capita for the

Philippines was nearly one metric ton per year leading to an approximate total of 85,000

kilotonnes (kt). Typhoon Haiyan is expected to have released more than 105,000 kt of

carbon. Only time will tell how much CO2 was actually released and what the continued

effects of the storm will be.

It is clear that typhoons and hurricanes are natural parts of Earths continuing

climate change. The Philippine Islands are located in a region where climate change can

significantly alter weather and sea levels and thus the impact of such climatic events are

experienced with greater severity than most parts of the world (Harmon, 2013).

Social Behavior

Before a cyclone hit, many Filipinos do not want to leave their homes. A

professional storm chaser released a video showing how unfazed the people of Tacloban

were before the typhoon Yolanda due to lack of knowledge about how strong it was and

the storm surges it would bring.

However, once the people see the strength they are prepared to evacuate. Its was

an every man for himself kind of situation during Typhoon Yolanda. Looting for food and

medicine were desperate actions for survival. Evacuation centers are packed with people.
Conclusion

Based on the data gathered by the researchers it can be concluded that:

1. People cannot stop the coming of different typhoons, especially here in the

Philippines. We are near the Pacific Ocean which means that the country is at the

high risk of experiencing typhoons and other water related catastrophes. But

people can do something to lessen the devastation of typhoons. Before, there were

many trees absorbing the water coming from rains and typhoons but today they

cut trees and convert it into many forms for industrial use. Areas that are abundant

with trees were converted into subdivisions and many more. The worst part of

these activitites is trees are not replaced with new ones. People must do something

with this, like tree planting in every backyard or vacant spaces.

2. During a storm or typhoon, the country experiences flooding and landslides. This

is due to the bad sewage system, and improper waste disposal. This causes not

only bad environmental but also bad economic effects to the country. Lack of

trees and improper waste disposal causes flooding to developed and undeveloped

lands. In the provinces, the animals will be affected by the devastation of the

typhoon and also of the flooding and landslides. The countrys ecological

balanced will be displaced if this issue continues on without proper

implementation of policies that will restore the situation.

3. The researchers can conclude that because of typhoons, the economical situation

of the Philippines is being affected. After typhoons, there were many houses,

commerical areas, buildings and infrastractures that were destroyed. If the damage
 is so alarming and high, then most probably the economy of the country will

recorver slowly. The budget of the government will be alocated for the victims of

typhoon, instead of putting it to different sectors where it will be a big help to the

development of the conomy. There will be a chance that the government will

borrow money from the World Bank or other lending institutions, if that will be

the case for the Philippines, then its a bad sign for the economy since the country

has its former and unpaid debts.

4. There are advantages and disadvantages to the social impact of typhoons. The

advantage is when other countries interact and help the Philippines during time of

need. We can form a bond or alliance with them when it is needed in the future.

However, disadvantages to this social impact is when the filipino people grow

desparate in times of catastrophe. Like during Typhoon Yolanda, there were a

numerous amount of theft of not only food but also of items that were not really

necessary for survival. The people become savage and greedy in times of despair.

There was also destruction to property made by the people to enter the

establishments where they would steal.

If the people would have more discipline, the social impact of typhoons would be

more positive and there would be less chaos that will happen during and after a

calamity.
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