Photo by Hannah Reyes Morales hannahreyesmorales | Plastics line Manila’s Baseco port area, a far cry from the idyllic riverside scenes that inspired poets and painters in the past. I’ve been working with writer and surfer Nicola Sebastian, who’s been exploring how the climate crisis affects Philippine waters and those who inhabit it. She writes:
Here, where the Pasig River meets Manila Bay, much of the megapolis’ trash flows into the Philippine Sea. The Philippines is the third worst plastic polluter in the world; it is also home to more species of marine life than anywhere else on Earth. This part of Manila is one of the most densely populated places on Earth, and coastal communities like this are among the most vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surges, and other climate-related disasters. From urban riversides to remote fishing villages to bustling coral reefs, life in the Philippine archipelago is deeply interdependent: the survival of all is inextricably intertwined not just with the sea, but also with the worsening climate crisis. Follow hannahreyesmorales for more stories about the Philippines and beyond. #Philippines #CitiesMadeOfWater #Manila