Monsoon intensification and deforestation drive Philippine landslides as Typhoon Bavi approaches
Original framing: “Philippines landslides kill 15 as Typhoon Bavi threatens region” — Al Jazeera
The deforestation contributing to these landslides has deep roots in colonial land policies and post-independence logging concessions. Similar patterns occurred in the Amazon and Southeast Asia, where colonial powers prioritized resource extraction over ecological balance, a legacy that continues to shape climate vulnerability.
The Philippine landslides are not just the result of Typhoon Bavi but the culmination of centuries of deforestation, colonial land dispossession, and climate change.
Indigenous knowledge and cross-cultural strategies offer pathways to ecological restoration and disaster resilience, yet these are often sidelined in favor of technocratic solutions. By integrating scientific evidence, community-led governance, and historical accountability, the Philippines—and other vulnerable regions—can build a more just and sustainable future. The trickster’s lens reminds us that the current framing of 'natural disasters' is a social construct that obscures human responsibility. A systemic approach must address the root causes of environmental degradation and empower those most affected to lead the transformation.