Dr. Rico C. Ancog, the dean and professor at the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM), has been elected as the newest member of the Monsoon Asia Integrated Research for Sustainability – Future Earth (MAIRS-FE) Scientific Steering Committee. This appointment, made during the recent 2023 MAIRS-FE Scientific Steering Committee Meeting and Side Events at Century Park Hotel in Manila on November 16-17, represents a significant step in understanding how human activities impact the monsoon climate in the Monsoon Asia Region.

MAIRS-FE stands as a regional consortium dedicated to the holistic study of social and earth system processes across the Asia Monsoon Region. Unlike other initiatives focusing solely on monsoon climate, MAIRS-FE takes a unique approach by emphasizing the interaction between human activities and the monsoon system. This emphasis aims to evaluate the impact of human-induced changes on the monsoon climate and, in turn, how these altered climate patterns influence the socio-economic development of the region.

The consortium’s work is guided by a Scientific Steering Committee responsible for steering the direction of research endeavors. The inclusion of Dr. Rico C. Ancog, a distinguished expert in environmental science, is poised to further enhance the committee’s multidisciplinary approach to addressing crucial questions on monsoon resilience, societal vulnerability to environmental shifts, and the promotion of cross-disciplinary collaborations.

With Dr. Ancog’s expertise and leadership from the UPLB-SESAM, the committee gains invaluable insights to navigate the intricate dynamics between human interventions and the Monsoon Asia’s climate.  (Laurenz B. Cruz)