Submission in Support of Petitioners Case No. CHR-NI-2016-0001 and ocean acidification, and this will contribute to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem productivity along coastlines.38 Finally, marine ecosystems are at risk as well. Climate change is already altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean, and scientists have already observed large-scale distribution shifts of species and altered ecosystem composition as a result of ocean warming (e.g., the distribution of many fish and invertebrates have shifted poleward and/or to deeper, cooler waters).39 It is likely that the spatial shifts of marine species will cause species richness to increase at mid- and high latitudes, and decrease at tropical latitudes. This has serious implications for marine productivity and food security in tropical areas.40 Some of these ecosystem effects are already becoming apparent in the Philippines. For example, it is believed that ocean warming and acidification have contributed to the degradation of coral reefs near the Philippines coastline and the fisheries they support.41 The Philippines is also likely to experience adverse effects on its forest ecosystems due to prolonged dry periods, and this may threaten the livelihoods and health of the many communities that largely depend on the ecological services provided by those forests.42 6. Effects on Buildings, Infrastructure, and Services Impacts such as rising sea levels, coastal storms, heat stress, extreme precipitation, inland and coastal flooding, landslides, drought, increased aridity, and water scarcity “will have profound impacts on a broad spectrum of city functions, infrastructures, and services and will interact with and may exacerbate many existing stresses.”43 Extreme weather events and sea level rise will damage and destroy buildings and infrastructure, particularly on coastlines (due to the compounding effects of coastal flooding, storms, and sea level rise). Rising temperatures and heavy precipitation will adversely affect critical transportation, water, and electric infrastructure in many areas. Decreases in precipitation and freshwater resources will pose a major challenge for the management of water supply and irrigation systems and hydroelectric dams. 38 Id. at 368. Id. at 414. 40 Id. at 414-415. 41 WORLD BANK, GETTING A GRIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES (2013) at 12-13. 42 PAGASA (2011), supra note 10, at 49. 43 IPCC WGII (2014), supra note 8, at 556. 39 Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School 10