Submission in Support of Petitioners Case No. CHR-NI-2016-0001 In the Philippines, prolonged and frequent rainfall, strong winds, higher waves, and temperature variations are expected to accelerate the structural fatigue and failure of physical infrastructure.44 Extreme weather events, primarily floods and storms, have and will continue to cause severe damage to critical infrastructure.45 The most vulnerable infrastructure includes the national road network, light rail transit systems in Metro Manila, port facilities, and power transmission systems.46 Flooding events could also have a severe impact on schools, hospitals, and evacuation centers.47 Decreases in rainfall and prolonged dry periods will also negatively impact irrigation systems, water supply systems, and hydroelectric facilities.48 7. Expanding Disease Vectors Increases in heavy rain and temperature will increase the risk of vectorborne diseases, such as Malaria and Dengue, in many parts of the world.49 Tropical regions already suffer from the highest incidence of these diseases and are likely to see an increasing number of cases in areas that become warmer and wetter as a result of climate change.50 This is certainly a concern for the Philippines, particularly during the monsoon season when heavier rains combined with higher temperatures will create suitable conditions for the propagation of mosquitos that carry these diseases. Implications for Human Rights It is well-understood that the impacts of climate change described above, along with others not detailed here, pose a serious threat to the full enjoyment of human rights. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has issued six resolutions recognizing the harmful effects of climate change on human rights and 44 Philippines Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), The Philippine Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation 2010-2022 (2010). 45 See, e.g., WORLD BANK, PHILIPPINES TYPHOONS ONDOY AND PEPENG: POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT (2009) (finding that the damage to physical assets caused by the 2009 Ondoy and Pepeng typhoons reached Php 68.2 billion); WORLD BANK, CLIMATE RISKS AND ADAPTATION IN ASIAN COASTAL MEGACITIES: A SYNTHESIS REPORT (2010) (finding that the costs of future flooding in Manila, as exacerbated by climate change, could range from Php 5 billion to Php 112 billion). 46 World Bank (2013), supra note 41, at 13. 47 PAGASA (2011), supra note 10, at 49. 48 Id. 49 IPCC WGII (2014), supra note 8, at 725-26. 50 Id.; Andrew K. Githeko et al., Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases: A Regional Analysis, 78(9) BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 1136 (2000). Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School 11