Extreme heat impact as PH reaches boiling point

Ten years ago, the world ga­thered in Paris, pens poised above a landmark agreement. The Paris Agreement, born of collective resolve, aimed to rewrite the climate narrative, setting ambitious goals to curb emissions and hold global warming at bay. As we mark this milestone a decade later, the question hangs heavy in the air: “Have we steered the ship away from the climate precipice, or are we merely rearranging deck chairs on a rapidly heating planet?”

A new report, a chilling testament to the escalating crisis of extreme heat, offers a stark reality check. “Ten Years of the Paris Agreement: The Present and Future of Extreme Heat,” a collaboration between Climate Central and World Weather Attribution, is a global analysis spanning the decade since the Paris accord. It reveals the extent to which our world has already been reshaped by rising temperatures and casts an ominous shadow on what lies ahead.

While the Paris Agreement has tempered some of the most catastrophic warming scenarios projected before 2015, the report underscores that the battle against extreme heat is far from won. As Friederike Otto, climate science professor at the Center for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, noted: “The Paris Agreement is a powerful, legally binding framework that can help us avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.”

The analysis paints a picture of a world grappling with extreme heat’s relentless advance. Since 2015, surging global temperatures have resulted in an average of 11 additional hot days each year. Beyond slightly warmer summers, this is a fundamental shift in weather patterns that pushes the boundaries of human and ecological tolerance. The report projects that even if current emission reduction pledges are fully honored (a monumental “if” in itself), the trajectory is still toward 2.6 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100. This seemingly modest increase unleashes a cascade of dire consequences: events that are already highly impactful on people and ecosystems would be intolerably more severe.

 n Number of hot days per year in each country for global warming levels of 2.6 C and 4.0 C above preindustrial temperatures.PHOTO FROM THE REPORT ‘TEN YEARS OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT: THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF EXTREME HEAT’

Today, extreme heat contributes to an estimated 500,000 deaths worldwide annually. The most vulnerable among us — the elderly, outdoor workers, those with preexisting health conditions and marginalized communities — bear its deadly brunt.

The implications of these global trends reverberate with urgency in the Philippines, an archipelago nation straddling the equator. Uniquely vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of extreme heat, the country can expect a relentless increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, with profound consequences across sectors.

Consequences for the nation

The health of Filipinos is on the line. As temperatures soar, heat-related illnesses and fatalities can surge, particularly in densely populated urban areas and among vulnerable populations lacking access to adequate cooling and health care. The agricultural sector, the lifeblood of many Filipino communities, faces a formidable threat.

Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts can decimate crops, imperiling food security and threatening the livelihoods of countless farmers. The Philippines’ critical infrastructure is also under siege. Extreme heat can strain the power grid, leading to blackouts and disruptions. It can buckle roads and transportation networks, disrupting commerce and everyday life.

As Kristina Dahl, vice president for Science at Climate Central, warns, “The Paris Agreement is helping many regions of the world avoid some of the worst possible outcomes of climate change, but make no mistake — we are still heading for a dangerously hot future.”

The government’s National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050) aims to fortify the nation against such climate impacts. But the stark reality is that a comprehensive Heat Action Plan is still under development.

The most urgent priority is for countries to dramatically increase their emission reduction targets, aligning their efforts with the Paris Agreement’s ambitious goals of limiting warming to 1.5 C or well below 2 C. Bold adaptation measures must be taken, and investments made to reduce the impacts of extreme heat to communities. This includes heat early warning systems that are effective at alerting the public about impending heat waves, and comprehensive heat action plans at the national and local levels.

Urban planning must promote cool roofs and incorporate accessible public transport systems that integrate cooling and shading. Educational campaigns can elevate public awareness, empowering citizens to protect themselves and their communities from extreme heat. Protection should be prioritized for the aforementioned most vulnerable. Intentional and equitable adap­tation efforts should include disaggregated data on gender, age and disability.

The future of extreme heat globally and in the Philippines hinges on the choices we make today. The world is at a crossroads: to choose between complacency and action, between a future defined by runaway warming, and a future where we protect the health and safety of all.

Source: Manila Times

Why family bullying over inheritance has become rife

UK Cost of living is making relatives impatient for their money.

Trillions of pounds are expected to be passed down through families over the next 30 years in a “great wealth transfer”.

However, as households are squeezed by rising prices, increasing numbers of older people are being pestered to hand over money by impatient “entitled” relatives. But this pressure to give up their assets can amount to financial abuse, campaigners warn. “This is not just a growing trend but an epidemic,” said Richard Robinson of Hourglass, a charity that campaigns against the abuse of older people.

This type of financial abuse is distinct from fraud or scams because it is not perpetrated by strangers, but a trusted person in the victim’s life. More than half of perpetrators are an adult child of the victim, according to research by Hourglass, and 81 per cent are a family member.

Older people are being manipulated to hand over cash to family members struggling with the cost of living.

“This is a massively underplayed issue in all walks of society, something we’ve been calling for urgent governmental action on for many years,” Robinson said. The charity supports 75,000 victims a year, up from about 4,000 in 2018.

Vicky Reynal, a money psychotherapist, said a common reason for “inheritance impatience” is a sense of entitlement to the victim’s estate. “The economic climate we live in is creating a lot of tension,” she said. “Handouts from parents are seen as increasingly necessary, and inheritance seems too far down the line to make much of a difference.”

Housing and tax pressures

Many families are seeking early access to inheritances to get on the property ladder. The average house price in the UK has more than tripled from £84,000 in 2000 to £293,000 today, according to the Office for National Statistics.

As a result, 57 per cent of renters believe that buying a home is impossible without family help, Barclays found. Rising tax pressures also drive demands for family handouts. The inheritance tax-free threshold will be frozen at £325,000 until at least 2030, and pension savings will be included in estates from April 2027.

This will mean many more estates facing a 40 per cent tax bill. And the seven-year rule, which exempts from inheritance tax gifts of money, provided the donor lives for seven years after making the gift, adds a sense of urgency. Now family members are pushing to receive sums sooner.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that almost all of the £17 billion gifted or lent by pensioners each year is given to their adult children. While most of this money is given freely and lovingly, some pensioners may be coerced into giving it away earlier than planned, often through emotional manipulation.

“We’re definitely seeing people with more of a sense of entitlement or ownership of their future inheritance, as opposed to anything they might receive as a boon or a gift,” said Stuart Downey from TWM Solicitors, based in the southeast. Reynal described how she has seen clients struggle to refuse their children’s demands for money.

Some children even use threats such as cutting them off from their grandchildren or no longer visiting if the money is withheld. Many victims fear they will be sent into a care home against their will. Downey said he has seen many clients’ families place their elderly relative in a far cheaper care home than they could afford, to save their inheritance.

This is known as “inheritance preservation”, where family members block pensioners from spending their money in the hope of taking it themselves.

Taking advantage

Callers to the Hourglass helpline have suffered financial losses of more than £53 million in the past three years. But in reality this figure is probably much higher, because only 14 per cent of callers disclosed the amount they had given away.

Robinson said that many older people were reluctant to report how much they had lost. They didn’t consider transferring money to family members as abuse and didn’t recognize that they may have been manipulated.

The attitudes of both victim and perpetrator are a big obstacle to the prevention of this type of abuse. In England 25 per cent of people do not believe that taking items from an older relative’s home without asking is a form of abuse, according to a survey of more than 2,000 people conducted by YouGov for Hourglass.

And 26 per cent of respondents did not believe that using power of attorney over an older relative for personal financial gain was abuse, nor that family members trying to change the wills of older relatives was a form of abuse.

At the same time, many victims do not want to see, or perhaps admit, that a family member may be taking advantage of them. “Most people don’t believe they’re being abused,” Robinson said. “They trust and love those people, who are their family and are there to look after them. They believe that if they call them out as abusers, they’ll lose that support.”

How can people protect themselves?

Reynal said families must learn to speak openly about finances and inheritance, and added that for those passing down an estate, “it’s important to be clear about why you’re doing what you’re doing”.

Family members should also try to empathise with their older relatives. “Step into the shoes of the parents to empathise with the impact of those demands being made,” she said. Older people can create a lasting power of attorney while they have mental capacity.

This gives someone the authority to manage their finances if they become unable to do so. It is recommended to seek professional guidance before making any decisions.

While there are some tools that can be used to help protect finances, such as bank account controls, Robinson said: “People are craving inheritance like there’s no tomorrow, and the safeguards are simply not there.” 

Source: The Times

Why trust is the new currency in the Philippines

Across Manila, Jakarta and Kathmandu, one force is reshaping markets: public outrage, not just at corrupt politicians, but also at ‘nepo baby’ influencers, entrenched institutions and once-untouchable brands.

In today’s hyperconnected world, trust isn’t given, it’s earned. Lose it, and you lose customers.

Scandals involving misused funds, political favoritism and influencer complicity aren’t just headlines; they’re changing how Filipinos and Southeast Asians choose who and what to support.

Trust is no longer a marketing value.

In the Philippines, it has become the operating currency of business.

Consumers are discerning, watching your values, partners, how you treat employees and how you respond in crises.

In a culture where bayanihan (community support), pakikisama (social harmony) and utang na loob (debt of gratitude) run deep, brands that break these social codes don’t just lose market share, they may never recover.

But building trust is more complex than a checklist of values. 

It demands a shift in power dynamics, long-term commitment beyond headlines and ethical courage rooted in culture, not hidden behind it.

Political: Silence is complicity

Political volatility is the new normal. Billions in flood control funds were misused, stirring public fury.

Celebrities tied to political clans caught in scandals are reputation risks brands cannot ignore. Damage isn’t always visible, but savvy companies know these links quietly erode trust.

Brands must ask: Who do we give power to? Partnerships and public stances now shape your brand’s trustworthiness. Silence in moments of injustice is complicity, an active decision to lose trust.

It’s not enough to avoid controversy. Brands must actively choose where to stand and understand that inaction speaks as loudly as action.

In a country where political and social networks are tightly woven, failing to address uncomfortable truths risks long-term damage to brand credibility.

Economic: Resilience meets impatience

Domestic demand and infrastructure investments remain strong, but cracks are showing.

Power outages, flooding, inconsistent internet and poor roads disrupt businesses and frustrate consumers. Customers want brands to own up fast when things go wrong. Silence kills trust.

Apologies after the fact won’t cut it anymore. Crisis sensitivity and operational empathy are competitive edges. But beyond reaction, brands must build trust into the operating system, ensuring resilience is baked into every process.

Consider how local communities often bear the brunt of infrastructure failures and climate risks.

Brands that invest in community resilience programs or collaborate with local governments are not only doing good, they’re signaling shared responsibility, which builds deep trust.

Social: Gen Z calls the shots

The median Filipino is 26 years old.

This Gen Z cohort, raised amid political drama, climate disasters and social activism, demands honesty, representation and real impact.

They seek accountability, consistency and courage.

Yet, in an age of outrage and fleeting attention, brands must build trust that lasts longer than headlines. Outrage is loud but temporary; long-term trust requires institutionalized integrity, not just reactive messaging.

This means embedding accountability into governance, investing in transparent communication channels and authentically engaging with communities, not just during crises, but daily.

Technological: Build trust, not tricks

Artificial intelligence, automation, and personalization grow, but so does digital distrust. Fake reviews, deepfakes, and misinformation make consumers skeptical by default.

Use technology to enhance real experiences, not just cut costs. Invest in privacy, ethical data use and digital inclusion. Transparency around AI and clear privacy policies build trust faster than flashy tech.

Philippine brands must avoid the temptation to use technology as a gimmick. Instead, technology should be a tool for inclusion and empowerment, especially in underserved areas where digital trust is fragile.

Legal: Compliance is just the baseline

New rules on digital taxation and data protection pile up. Following the law is expected, but not enough.

Trust grows in grey areas, where brands choose openness, care and accountability over technicality. Brands must move beyond compliance toward genuine empathy and proactive transparency.

For example, brands that openly share how they safeguard customer data or involve consumers in feedback loops build far stronger trust than those that only meet minimum legal standards.

Environmental: Walk the talk

The Philippines faces climate disasters head-on. Vague sustainability programs won’t cut it.

Consumers want measurable action: renewable energy, clean water, disaster preparedness. Environmental trust isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s survival.

Brands that lead on environment aren’t just ticking boxes, they’re demonstrating shared risk and shared responsibility.

Because climate change hits the Philippines hard and often, brands that overlook their environmental responsibility risk losing the trust and support they need to stay in business.

Cultural: The heartbeat of trust

Various forces filter through deeply ingrained cultural lenses.

Pakikisama demands social harmony but can silence conflict. Utang na loob builds loyalty but can blur professional lines. Hiya fosters respect but can delay urgent transparency.

Cultural literacy requires brands to navigate these values with courage, not hide behind them. Ethical leadership rooted in local culture is key to unlocking emotional loyalty.

In a society where relationships matter more than contracts, brands must embody cultural values authentically while challenging the norms that allow opacity or excuses.

The Trust Economy: Principles that power the flywheel

The trust economy is a market where people buy based on trust, not just need. Value shifts from reach and price to reputation, accountability and cultural fit.

Here are seven core principles, interconnected like a flywheel, each fueling the next:

Humility–Invitational Mindset: Genuine openness to learn and grow, without getting defensive when challenged. But it’s not just about listening politely or saying “we’re humble.”

It goes deeper: it means actually sharing power and influence with the communities or people you serve, inviting their voices into decisions and respecting their role.

Cultural Literacy–Respectful Connection: Deep understanding of audience context, values, and language. But also the courage to challenge cultural norms that may hinder transparency or accountability.

Empathy–Emotional Alignment: Responding to real needs with compassion, not assumptions. Requires continuous effort and presence, not one-off gestures.

Transparency–Meaningful Honesty: Open communication that reduces fear, confusion and speculation. It must be consistent and proactive, not reactive PR.

Authenticity–Grounded Identity: Consistency across time and touchpoints. Brands must resist becoming mere messaging machines and instead embody true values daily.

Consistency–Reliability Over Time: Actions must repeatedly match words. Trust is built in the invisible, everyday moments, not just big announcements.

Accountability–Worth Believing: Owning mistakes, upholding integrity and being investable long term. Trust requires brands to be vulnerable and willing to change.

These principles work as an interdependent flywheel, each one powers the next, creating self-sustaining momentum. Humility is not just the start, it’s the ongoing fuel.

Trust is not a strategy. It is the operating system

In the Philippines, where betrayal cuts deep and loyalty lasts decades, trust is not a metric. It is how you run your business.

Brands that treat trust as a side effect chase recovery. Brands that embed trust as core infrastructure lead. This means building systems and cultures that live these values daily, with measurable accountability.

Because in a trust economy, every signal matters. Every silence is a statement. Every decision a deposit or withdrawal.

The brands that win in the Philippines won’t be the loudest or flashiest. They will be the clearest, most consistent and most human.

Trust is the future, not just a value, but the foundation. The question is: are we ready to build it boldly, deeply and for the long haul?

Source: Inquirer