Prof. Wo Xiaoming of Scientific research Institute of Pearl River Water said he believed that global warming and frequent extreme weather, together with the influence of socio-economic development to the Pearl River, would increase the threats of water-related hazards to Macao, and that the Macao Government should highly attach importance to the works of prevention and control of water hazards. At the "Natural Disaster Management Symposium" held today at the 2009 Macao International Environmental Co-operation and Forum and Exhibition (2009MIECF), Professor Wu Xiaoming delivered “Suggestions on Macao Water Risk Analysis and Studies”, which he jointly wrote with Prof. Wang Xianfang, the Director of the Institute. Prof. Wo said changes in global climate anomalies caused impacts to Macao, including the rising of sea-level, the aggravation of salt tide and the increased extreme weather and weather hazards. The rising water level of Pearl River estuary affects Macao directly Studies have shown that global warming is one of the reasons that lead to the rising sea level at the estuary of Pearl River in the past 50 years. Experts have projected that about 2030 the average sea level of the estuary of Pearl River will rise by 13-17cm comparing to that of 1980-1999. He said that Macao is one of the most sensitive areas that are affected by the rising sea level the estuary of Pearl River. In addition, Xijiang and Beijiang of Pearl River experienced persistent drought during dry season in recent years. The annual precipitation from 2003 to 2005 was only 150-200 mm on average, showing a plunge of 40%-50% comparing to a normal year. The river flows reduced by 30%-40% too, aggravating the salt tide. He said that decreasing water flows during dry season and rising sea level would worsen the salt tide at Modaomen Estuary, posing new threats to water supply to Macao. Therefore, he suggested that Macao Government should begin a comprehensive study on the risks of water hazards to improve awareness for both the government and public. It should also carry out water hazard prevention and control projects and non-engineering measures planning, and study and establish the water hazard warning and monitoring system and related responsive plans. Moreover, it should engage in research of regional cooperation mechanism, and promote the formation of regional coordination mechanism on hazard prevention. Former Philippines’ Minister of Energy takes part in workshop In addition, Professor Lotilla, former Minister of the Philippines’ Department of Energy, presented a thesis on "Integrated Coastal Management as a Framework for Natural Disaster Management". Professor Lotilla currently serves as Executive Director of the "Partnerships for Environment Management for the Seas of East Asia", which is supported by the United Nations Development Program and relevant organizations. During his term as Minister of Philippines’ Department of Energy, he took charge of the government's energy independence and power industry reform plan, and took the lead to legislate the related reforms into the Biochemical Fuel Act, and promoted the legislature to consider the draft of renewable energy.
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