BukSU forum tackles rising climate risks and collective action

Scientific data showing record global temperatures and accelerating climate risks drove discussions on policy, research and sector-wide action during a climate forum at Bukidnon State University.

The discussions took place during the hybrid mini-conference “Collective Action in the Face of a Global Climate Emergency,” hosted by Bukidnon State University (BukSU) through the Office of the President on May 6, 2026, at the BukSU Mini Theater.

According to university president, Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, the university sought to generate at least three collaborative actions to advance green innovation and climate resilience within the institution and the region.

“This initiative strengthens the university’s commitment to becoming a green university by integrating academia, government, industry, community, media, and environment,” Mirasol said.

Resource speaker, Dr. Delia C. Catacutan, chair of Healthy Planet Action Philippines and senior fellow at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), presented data showing that global CO2 concentration reached 423.9 parts per million (ppm) in 2024, equivalent to 3,306 Gt of CO2 in the atmosphere, or 51% higher than the pre-industrial level of 280 ppm. The increase was identified as the primary driver of climate change.

“2023 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures reaching approximately 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The window to stay within the warming limit (1.5 degrees Celsius) set by the Paris Agreement is rapidly closing,” Catacutan said.

Additional climate data presented during the forum showed that 2024 recorded 1.6°C above the 1850–1900 baseline, while 2025 reached 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels. The period from 2015 to 2025 was identified as the warmest decade on record, with the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris Agreement exceeded.

The presentation also examined Earth’s energy imbalance, defined as the difference between incoming solar radiation and outgoing heat. Data showed that the imbalance has increased since 1960, with a more pronounced rise over the past 20 years.

Catacutan said climate action involves weighing the risks of environmental change against the risks tied to management responses.

“Addressing the global climate emergency is about making decisions about climate risks versus management actions’ risks. All options may involve risks; the challenge is to develop strategies that minimize similar risks and costs while maximizing benefits,” Catacutan added.

The conference also featured a panel discussion titled “Who Must Act? Sectoral Roles in Climate Action,” which focused on bridging climate science with practical applications and institutional initiatives.

Panelists included faculty researchers, Environmental Science students and a representative from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). Discussions covered nature-based solutions and campus-led sustainability initiatives aimed at supporting climate resilience efforts.

Dr. Dennis P. Garrity, board chair of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition and former director general of the World Agroforestry Centre, joined the discussions and emphasized the role of international cooperation and climate advocacy networks.

Mirasol said the university intends to involve all sectors of the academic community in climate resilience initiatives.

“Climate action is for all of us. No sector can solve this alone. That is why this conversation matters. We see this as a responsibility, as a green university, we are called to transcend borders to connect knowledge with actions. In collective action, no effort is too small to work together. The future is not something we wait; it is something we shape,” said Mirasol. (BukSU-Information Unit)