Last August we blogged about Beijing's persistent smog situation and its effects on the Olympic Games. There was much concern on how the pollution would affect some of the events, specifically the bicycle road races and the centerpiece event, the Marathon.
The anticipated problems almost never cropped up and the Games were considered a resounding success.
It has almost been four months since the Games and we thought of getting an update if the the efforts of the Chinese government in improving the air quality have paid off.
We logged on to http://chinadaily.com.cn, considered as China's largest English language portal and skimmed through its pages. There we found some information regarding the achievements that the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau have had these last few months.
The government has been monitoring Beijing's Air Pollution Index for the last few years, paying particular attention to "blue-sky days." (It is considered a "blue-sky day" if the Index would fall below 100.) In 1999, when the environmental clean-up started, they were able to monitor only 100 "blue-sky days." Last year, after extreme measures like enforced closure of factories and a mandatory odd-even vehicular coding scheme, the number rose to 246.
Just to show that the program is effective, the Bureau released its latest figures: as of end of November 2008, the number of "blue-sky days" have reached 256. That number is the target for year 2008.
The result just shows that with a determined implementation of an environmental program, success could be achieved.
As for our beloved country, we still believe that similar gains could be had. What we just need here is a more vigilant citizenry that could prod the lethargic bureaucracy to move. This belief is what keeps me going, blogging about the environment, hoping that the small ripples that we make would somehow make even a small impact on government action.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Good News About Taal Lake
During the last few weeks, I have been trying to catch up on news regarding Taal Lake. A bright spot from the rather dreary situation the Lake is in came from a snippet of news from Atty. Ipat Luna. She posted a message on her Facebook account that 1091 fish cages have so far been demolished in the Lake. That represents around 12% of the 9,000 fishcages that may be found in the 24,356 hectare fresh water lake.
Way back in May 2006 (when we were still at the Provincial Capitol), then Governor Armando Sanchez declared a moratorium on the construction of new fish cages in the lake. We met several times with the PAMB of Taal Lake in order to spur them into action in protecting the viability of the lake. A fact finding trip was scheduled to have been made on June 2,2006 with Governor Arman leading the group along with Mayors of some 12 lakeshore towns. That would have started a serious program for the conservation of our beloved natural resource.
As fate would have it, the bombing and attempted assassination on the Governor occurred on June 1,2006. I remember vividly that I had just gotten off the phone after successive conversations with Talisay, Batangas Mayor Joji Manimtim (who would have hosted us the next day) when the bomb detonated. Sadly, our focus on Taal Lake had to be swept aside in view of our concern for personal safety.
We are waiting for an update and some more good news from "Mother Earth's Lawyer" Attorney Ipat. In the meantime, we would be trying, in our own small way, to generate private sector support for the efforts that she is undertaking.
Way back in May 2006 (when we were still at the Provincial Capitol), then Governor Armando Sanchez declared a moratorium on the construction of new fish cages in the lake. We met several times with the PAMB of Taal Lake in order to spur them into action in protecting the viability of the lake. A fact finding trip was scheduled to have been made on June 2,2006 with Governor Arman leading the group along with Mayors of some 12 lakeshore towns. That would have started a serious program for the conservation of our beloved natural resource.
As fate would have it, the bombing and attempted assassination on the Governor occurred on June 1,2006. I remember vividly that I had just gotten off the phone after successive conversations with Talisay, Batangas Mayor Joji Manimtim (who would have hosted us the next day) when the bomb detonated. Sadly, our focus on Taal Lake had to be swept aside in view of our concern for personal safety.
We are waiting for an update and some more good news from "Mother Earth's Lawyer" Attorney Ipat. In the meantime, we would be trying, in our own small way, to generate private sector support for the efforts that she is undertaking.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Highlights of Barack Obama's Environment Policy
It is informative, to say the least, to sift through the environmental policy statements of U.S Presidential candidate Barack Obama. In his website http://my.barackobama.com, the U.S. Senator and most probable next President listed the keys to what would be his policies on Energy; in it is a summary of what too would be his policies on the Environment. Let us give it a look then:
Eliminate Our Current Imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 Year
• Increase Fuel Economy Standards.
• Get 1 Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015.
• Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles.
• Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• A “Use it or Lose It” Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases.
• Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas.
Create Millions of New Green Jobs
• Ensure 10 percent of Our Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency.
• Weatherize One Million Homes Annually.
• Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology.
• Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.
Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
• Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
• Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.
These are very broad statements and they would need to be fleshed out by legislation. We have to see if he can put the walk in the talk in the next four years and if environment would be better served with an Obama presidency.
Eliminate Our Current Imports from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 Year
• Increase Fuel Economy Standards.
• Get 1 Million Plug-In Hybrid Cars on the Road by 2015.
• Create a New $7,000 Tax Credit for Purchasing Advanced Vehicles.
• Establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• A “Use it or Lose It” Approach to Existing Oil and Gas Leases.
• Promote the Responsible Domestic Production of Oil and Natural Gas.
Create Millions of New Green Jobs
• Ensure 10 percent of Our Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Deploy the Cheapest, Cleanest, Fastest Energy Source – Energy Efficiency.
• Weatherize One Million Homes Annually.
• Develop and Deploy Clean Coal Technology.
• Prioritize the Construction of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline.
Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
• Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
• Make the U.S. a Leader on Climate Change.
These are very broad statements and they would need to be fleshed out by legislation. We have to see if he can put the walk in the talk in the next four years and if environment would be better served with an Obama presidency.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Haay SLEX
On my way to and from Batangas today, I had to traverse the SLEX and endure its' severe condition. Yes, it is being upgraded and widened, but do we have to put up with the unsafe situation prevailing in its entirety? If a driver would dare to increase his driving speed, he may end up damaging the vehicle's suspension considering the uneven portions of the road. There are sudden bumps and protrusions specially in the joints of the newly built or repaired bridges.
The signages of the President and the billboards advertising various products far outnumber road signs and warnings. If one is not keen in watching which lane he would drive into, he might end up missing his exit. This is much worse during the night. Lighting is virtually non-existent and reflectorized signs are but few, making the travel a guessing game.
The barriers separating the existing highway and the newly excavated portions are altogether another matter. These are gray concrete barriers that are virtually invisible at nighttime. There are some with neon lights in them but these are of no help specially during rainy nights. It was drizzling this evening and we could barely see these barriers.
Housekeeping is not practiced. The excavated soil are most of the times splattered on the road and these turn to dangerous, slippery mud when it rains. No lights, no signs, muddy roads and hard-to-see concrete barriers are prime ingredients to vehicular disasters.
Us from Southern Luzon have had to endure these for the last two years and five months. The PNCC and the MTD Manila Expressway Corporation have been going on their own sweet, sweet time trying to make heads and tails of the upgrading and rehabilitation of the SLEX. They are expected to finish the whole thing by March 2009, but with the current speed the work is being done, we dare say that it would take more than one year to see a semblance of a modern highway. That means, one more year of driving dangerously, one more year of Russian roulette commuting.
Haaaaaay naku. Happy Halloween to all.
The signages of the President and the billboards advertising various products far outnumber road signs and warnings. If one is not keen in watching which lane he would drive into, he might end up missing his exit. This is much worse during the night. Lighting is virtually non-existent and reflectorized signs are but few, making the travel a guessing game.
The barriers separating the existing highway and the newly excavated portions are altogether another matter. These are gray concrete barriers that are virtually invisible at nighttime. There are some with neon lights in them but these are of no help specially during rainy nights. It was drizzling this evening and we could barely see these barriers.
Housekeeping is not practiced. The excavated soil are most of the times splattered on the road and these turn to dangerous, slippery mud when it rains. No lights, no signs, muddy roads and hard-to-see concrete barriers are prime ingredients to vehicular disasters.
Us from Southern Luzon have had to endure these for the last two years and five months. The PNCC and the MTD Manila Expressway Corporation have been going on their own sweet, sweet time trying to make heads and tails of the upgrading and rehabilitation of the SLEX. They are expected to finish the whole thing by March 2009, but with the current speed the work is being done, we dare say that it would take more than one year to see a semblance of a modern highway. That means, one more year of driving dangerously, one more year of Russian roulette commuting.
Haaaaaay naku. Happy Halloween to all.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reminders for the Weekend Holiday
In our rush to get home to the Provinces for the All Saints Day/All Souls Day weekend, let us be reminded of our responsibilities regarding waste minimization.
For those going on boat trips to the island Provinces, please do not throw your trash overboard. Trash bins are mandatory in sea-going vessels so please utilize those. I am reminded at this point of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and its prohibition of throwing of any waste material overboard; such prohibition is by virtue of an Ordinance thoughtfully passed by the City Sanggunian. The Ordinance is strictly implemented and due to such, people have observed the same.
Those going to cemeteries and memorial parks should be responsible for the waste they generate. Why not bring trash bags with you and place your segregated waste in them? By doing this, we would not be creating problems for the maintenance people after the deluge of visitors has passed. (Watch the evening news on Sunday and see the reports that would be made regarding the mountains of trash left behind by those who went to the cemeteries and memorial parks!) I am certain that all municipalities and cities have ordinances prohibiting the indiscriminate throwing of waste, but the implementation thereof is totally forgotten during these times.
Heavy traffic is to be expected in areas near cemeteries. I am suggesting that in order to minimize waste of gasoline and diesel fuel, vehicle owners should park a good distance from the cemeteries and walk the rest of the way. It would be the more practical and healthy alternative than stewing inside a vehicle that has its engine running while waiting to get into the memorial park.
Finally, plan your trips well. Leave early in order to allow for the unusually heavy vehicular load in the major thoroughfares. Expect that the roads to the Provinces would be filled with vehicles on Friday and the roads back to Metro Manila would be chaotic on Sunday afternoon.
Concern for the environment starts with the consciousness of our individual roles. Act responsibly and each individual act could add up to a big big whole.
For those going on boat trips to the island Provinces, please do not throw your trash overboard. Trash bins are mandatory in sea-going vessels so please utilize those. I am reminded at this point of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and its prohibition of throwing of any waste material overboard; such prohibition is by virtue of an Ordinance thoughtfully passed by the City Sanggunian. The Ordinance is strictly implemented and due to such, people have observed the same.
Those going to cemeteries and memorial parks should be responsible for the waste they generate. Why not bring trash bags with you and place your segregated waste in them? By doing this, we would not be creating problems for the maintenance people after the deluge of visitors has passed. (Watch the evening news on Sunday and see the reports that would be made regarding the mountains of trash left behind by those who went to the cemeteries and memorial parks!) I am certain that all municipalities and cities have ordinances prohibiting the indiscriminate throwing of waste, but the implementation thereof is totally forgotten during these times.
Heavy traffic is to be expected in areas near cemeteries. I am suggesting that in order to minimize waste of gasoline and diesel fuel, vehicle owners should park a good distance from the cemeteries and walk the rest of the way. It would be the more practical and healthy alternative than stewing inside a vehicle that has its engine running while waiting to get into the memorial park.
Finally, plan your trips well. Leave early in order to allow for the unusually heavy vehicular load in the major thoroughfares. Expect that the roads to the Provinces would be filled with vehicles on Friday and the roads back to Metro Manila would be chaotic on Sunday afternoon.
Concern for the environment starts with the consciousness of our individual roles. Act responsibly and each individual act could add up to a big big whole.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Gas Usage and Traffic
Has anybody ever thought of calculating the amount of gas being needlessly spent by all the vehicles that are caught in the morning and afternoon traffic jams at Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College?
Yesterday morning, the MMDA closed-off the lane going to Gate 2 of the Ateneo from the Katipunan-Aurora flyover. Motorists, caught unawares, were trapped by the traffic that lasted way past the usual 7 a.m. going-to-school rush. It would have helped if the MMDA announced the drastic change in advance, but no, they didn't. Us parents and the school bus service companies could have made adjustments for this had they made the announcement before they implemented the changes.
This change has been the 4th time that they have made changes in the Katipunan Road traffic scheme since June 2008. I am not complaining about the effort that they are exerting; I am even lauding the MMDA for that. What I am peeved at is that the MMDA cannot communicate the changes that they are planning before implementing them. I am appalled at the waste in fuel resulting from the traffic jams created by the very system that seeks to solve the problem.
Calling on the MMDA!!!
In case they have forgotten, they have their own Traffic Radio at 1206 in the AM band and the MMDA Chairman has a weekly TV Program. Why can't these be used to announce the changes that the MMDA seeks to implement? Dozens of tarpaulin advertisements hang in the lampposts at the Katipunan area; why can't they put printed informative announcements if ever they are planning to do some changes in the traffic flow there?
All that we need here is plain common sense. But then, common sense indeed is not common and due to this, we need to endure the traffic and waste gas at Katipunan.
Yesterday morning, the MMDA closed-off the lane going to Gate 2 of the Ateneo from the Katipunan-Aurora flyover. Motorists, caught unawares, were trapped by the traffic that lasted way past the usual 7 a.m. going-to-school rush. It would have helped if the MMDA announced the drastic change in advance, but no, they didn't. Us parents and the school bus service companies could have made adjustments for this had they made the announcement before they implemented the changes.
This change has been the 4th time that they have made changes in the Katipunan Road traffic scheme since June 2008. I am not complaining about the effort that they are exerting; I am even lauding the MMDA for that. What I am peeved at is that the MMDA cannot communicate the changes that they are planning before implementing them. I am appalled at the waste in fuel resulting from the traffic jams created by the very system that seeks to solve the problem.
Calling on the MMDA!!!
In case they have forgotten, they have their own Traffic Radio at 1206 in the AM band and the MMDA Chairman has a weekly TV Program. Why can't these be used to announce the changes that the MMDA seeks to implement? Dozens of tarpaulin advertisements hang in the lampposts at the Katipunan area; why can't they put printed informative announcements if ever they are planning to do some changes in the traffic flow there?
All that we need here is plain common sense. But then, common sense indeed is not common and due to this, we need to endure the traffic and waste gas at Katipunan.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Backsliding
During the previous month, we were elated with the facts provided by the MMDA and the LRTA regarding two statistics: one, the decrease in the number of private vehicles traveling along the main thoroughfares of Metro manila during peak hours and two, the increase in the number of commuters using the LRT and MRT.
Premium gasoline breached the P60.00 level and diesel fuel hovered near P58.00. With that, most people decided to limit usage of their private vehicles and instead opted to try the trains in commuting in Metro Manila. This augured well for the improvement of Metro Manila's Air Quality, what with lesser vehicles emitting toxic gases into the atmosphere.
The last two weeks saw the big decrease in the pump prices of all gasoline products. Today, crude oil prices went below US$90.00 per barrel. Us, people of the Philippines are back to our old ways. We are back to using our cars more often and abhorring using public transport again. Of course I understand how hard it was to use the light trains during the gas price crises months of August and September; I saw for myself how packed the trains were at all times of the day. What I do not understand is how we are back to using the private vehicles again for unnecessary trips.
During the times when gas prices were soaring, we seldom used the car in running errands and short trips. Nowadays, we are once again utilizing the car in going to the grocery store which is but two blocks away, in going to the village basketball court which is but a short 5 minute walk from our house and doing myriad things using our cars that we dare not did when pump prices were sky high.
MEA CULPA. Last night, I realized that I was doing these things myself and this prompted my blog writing. I just had to write and decide to take positive action.
Starting again today, I resolve to walk more often, ride the LRT more frequently and minimize car usage. If this would not amount to something much, at least I have my contributed my little share in caring for the air we breathe.
Premium gasoline breached the P60.00 level and diesel fuel hovered near P58.00. With that, most people decided to limit usage of their private vehicles and instead opted to try the trains in commuting in Metro Manila. This augured well for the improvement of Metro Manila's Air Quality, what with lesser vehicles emitting toxic gases into the atmosphere.
The last two weeks saw the big decrease in the pump prices of all gasoline products. Today, crude oil prices went below US$90.00 per barrel. Us, people of the Philippines are back to our old ways. We are back to using our cars more often and abhorring using public transport again. Of course I understand how hard it was to use the light trains during the gas price crises months of August and September; I saw for myself how packed the trains were at all times of the day. What I do not understand is how we are back to using the private vehicles again for unnecessary trips.
During the times when gas prices were soaring, we seldom used the car in running errands and short trips. Nowadays, we are once again utilizing the car in going to the grocery store which is but two blocks away, in going to the village basketball court which is but a short 5 minute walk from our house and doing myriad things using our cars that we dare not did when pump prices were sky high.
MEA CULPA. Last night, I realized that I was doing these things myself and this prompted my blog writing. I just had to write and decide to take positive action.
Starting again today, I resolve to walk more often, ride the LRT more frequently and minimize car usage. If this would not amount to something much, at least I have my contributed my little share in caring for the air we breathe.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
GLOBAL WARMING AND HURRICANES
We saw this interesting article first posted at 07:36:00 09/03/2008 at Inquirer.net (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080903-158383/Global-warming-fuels-hurricanes-say-scientists):
GLOBAL WARMING FUELS HURRICANES SAY SCIENTISTS
WASHINGTON—Global warming has probably made Hurricane Gustav a bit stronger and wetter, some top scientists said, but the specific connection between climate change and stronger hurricanes remains an issue of debate.
The Atlantic is seeing an increase in storms rated among the strongest. In the past four years, Hurricanes Gustav and Katrina, and six other storms have reached Category 4 or higher with sustained winds of at least 211 kilometers (131 miles) per hour, according to research at Georgia Tech.
Six scientists contacted by The Associated Press on Sunday said this would show some effect of global warming, but they differed on the size of the effect.
“We are just seeing a lot more Categories 4 and 5 globally than we have ever seen,” said Judith Curry, chair of Earth and atmospheric sciences at Georgia Tech. “The years 2004, 2005 and 2007 are quite high. We’re just seeing more and more.”
Measurements of the energy pumped into the air from the warm waters—essentially fuel for hurricanes—has increased dramatically since the mid-1990s, mostly in the strongest of hurricanes, according to a soon-to-be published paper in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems by Kevin Trenberth, climate analysis chief at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.
But the same scientists also cautioned it was impossible to blame global warming for any single weather event and that some form of Gustav (and other hurricanes) would have likely still formed and turned deadly without man-made climate change.
Yet the fingerprint of global warming on the strongest storms is becoming clearer with new research, according to the scientists. And that includes Gustav, which reached Category 4 status on Saturday before weakening.
Associated Press
GLOBAL WARMING FUELS HURRICANES SAY SCIENTISTS
WASHINGTON—Global warming has probably made Hurricane Gustav a bit stronger and wetter, some top scientists said, but the specific connection between climate change and stronger hurricanes remains an issue of debate.
The Atlantic is seeing an increase in storms rated among the strongest. In the past four years, Hurricanes Gustav and Katrina, and six other storms have reached Category 4 or higher with sustained winds of at least 211 kilometers (131 miles) per hour, according to research at Georgia Tech.
Six scientists contacted by The Associated Press on Sunday said this would show some effect of global warming, but they differed on the size of the effect.
“We are just seeing a lot more Categories 4 and 5 globally than we have ever seen,” said Judith Curry, chair of Earth and atmospheric sciences at Georgia Tech. “The years 2004, 2005 and 2007 are quite high. We’re just seeing more and more.”
Measurements of the energy pumped into the air from the warm waters—essentially fuel for hurricanes—has increased dramatically since the mid-1990s, mostly in the strongest of hurricanes, according to a soon-to-be published paper in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems by Kevin Trenberth, climate analysis chief at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.
But the same scientists also cautioned it was impossible to blame global warming for any single weather event and that some form of Gustav (and other hurricanes) would have likely still formed and turned deadly without man-made climate change.
Yet the fingerprint of global warming on the strongest storms is becoming clearer with new research, according to the scientists. And that includes Gustav, which reached Category 4 status on Saturday before weakening.
Associated Press
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Goodbye to a Friend
ROWELL SANDOVAL y MENDOZA (1957-2008)
Mabini, Batangas
Three term Sangguniang Bayan Member, three term Municipal Mayor, serving his first term as Vice Mayor when he was assassinated.
A leader, an environmentalist, a friend.
He said goodbye to this world last August 26,2008 when he was repeatedly shot while at his business office in Bauan, Batangas.
"Mayor Vice," as he was fondly called was a pioneer among LGU chiefs in Coastal Resources Management and was responsible for preserving the sustainability of the dive spots of the Barangays near Anilao, Mabini, Batangas.
While at the helm of the beautiful town, he was able to steer it to progress while maintaining the fragile beauty of the coastal villages facing Balayan Bay.
We are praying that his murder would be solved at the soonest possible time.
To you dear friend, goodbye.
Mabini, Batangas
Three term Sangguniang Bayan Member, three term Municipal Mayor, serving his first term as Vice Mayor when he was assassinated.
A leader, an environmentalist, a friend.
He said goodbye to this world last August 26,2008 when he was repeatedly shot while at his business office in Bauan, Batangas.
"Mayor Vice," as he was fondly called was a pioneer among LGU chiefs in Coastal Resources Management and was responsible for preserving the sustainability of the dive spots of the Barangays near Anilao, Mabini, Batangas.
While at the helm of the beautiful town, he was able to steer it to progress while maintaining the fragile beauty of the coastal villages facing Balayan Bay.
We are praying that his murder would be solved at the soonest possible time.
To you dear friend, goodbye.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Smog and the Beijing Olympics
The games of the 2008 Olympics are set to start in three days time, 8.8.08. The People's Republic of China spared nothing to ensure that the 29th staging of the Modern Olympics would be a success. Considering the US$2.1 Billion expense account for the improvement of the venues, much is really expected of the event.
Let me ponder though on one of the wrinkles in the otherwise cleanly pressed, satin smooth sports spectacle: the smog that usually envelopes Beijing. The polluted air has caused tremendous worries from athletes that would be competing in the Games.
Powerhouse teams like the United States and Germany delayed their trip to China and instead trained in Japan in order to minimize athlete's exposure to the unhealthy atmosphere. New Zealand issued face masks to their athletes as part of their training equipment. Australia went as far as allowing athletes concerned about the air quality the free choice to withdraw from participating. At least one blue chip athlete, Marathon world record holder Heile Gebrselassie from Ethipia decided not to participate in the event out of concern for his health.
In response to the worries, the Chinese government reportedly spent US$ 16 Billion in environmental programs in an attempt to reduce the pollution. It has taken drastic steps to improve air quality like shutting down hundreds of factories and coal-powered plants, implemented odd-even vehicle restrictions and imposed staggered work schedules. Also, some 22 million trees have been planted to help purify the air.
The problem though is that Beiling is an "Urban Heat Island," a metropolitan area that is considerably warmer than its surrounding rural areas. The heat bubble generated in the city traps the pollutants and it would take colder winds to drive these away. Scientists are not too optimistic about this as they are not expecting cool winds to come soon. Furthermore, even if Beijing has tried to radically reduce the air pollution, other cities in China have not done so.
It should be noted that half of the pollution in Beijing comes from other areas. What was done in Beijing should have been replicated in other areas. Tianying and Linfen, two Chinese cities that are both upwind from Beijing are listed among the top ten polluted Cities in the world. If efforts were exerted in easing the pollution that is generated from these two Ciies, the situation in Beijing could have been improved.
What lesson can we learn from this? Again, let me go back to one of the Seven Environmental Principles: "Everything is Connected to Everything Else." Whatever we do, the entire Mother Earth is affected. We cannot live in isolation for we are interdependent. We must do our share for nature and keep in mind that such should be done on a continuing basis. It is only by doing positive action can we avoid and prevent what Beijing is experiencing now.
Let me ponder though on one of the wrinkles in the otherwise cleanly pressed, satin smooth sports spectacle: the smog that usually envelopes Beijing. The polluted air has caused tremendous worries from athletes that would be competing in the Games.
Powerhouse teams like the United States and Germany delayed their trip to China and instead trained in Japan in order to minimize athlete's exposure to the unhealthy atmosphere. New Zealand issued face masks to their athletes as part of their training equipment. Australia went as far as allowing athletes concerned about the air quality the free choice to withdraw from participating. At least one blue chip athlete, Marathon world record holder Heile Gebrselassie from Ethipia decided not to participate in the event out of concern for his health.
In response to the worries, the Chinese government reportedly spent US$ 16 Billion in environmental programs in an attempt to reduce the pollution. It has taken drastic steps to improve air quality like shutting down hundreds of factories and coal-powered plants, implemented odd-even vehicle restrictions and imposed staggered work schedules. Also, some 22 million trees have been planted to help purify the air.
The problem though is that Beiling is an "Urban Heat Island," a metropolitan area that is considerably warmer than its surrounding rural areas. The heat bubble generated in the city traps the pollutants and it would take colder winds to drive these away. Scientists are not too optimistic about this as they are not expecting cool winds to come soon. Furthermore, even if Beijing has tried to radically reduce the air pollution, other cities in China have not done so.
It should be noted that half of the pollution in Beijing comes from other areas. What was done in Beijing should have been replicated in other areas. Tianying and Linfen, two Chinese cities that are both upwind from Beijing are listed among the top ten polluted Cities in the world. If efforts were exerted in easing the pollution that is generated from these two Ciies, the situation in Beijing could have been improved.
What lesson can we learn from this? Again, let me go back to one of the Seven Environmental Principles: "Everything is Connected to Everything Else." Whatever we do, the entire Mother Earth is affected. We cannot live in isolation for we are interdependent. We must do our share for nature and keep in mind that such should be done on a continuing basis. It is only by doing positive action can we avoid and prevent what Beijing is experiencing now.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The SONA and Current Environment Issues
We watched the State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in order to find out what she had to say about the environment. Just so that I would be enlightened, I looked for a copy of the SONA and read the portion that dealt with her plans for this concern. Following is the transcript of the said portion:
“I ask business and civil society to continue to work for a socially equitable, economically viable balance of interests. Mining companies should ensure that host communities benefit substantively from their investments, and with no environmental damage from operations.
Our administration enacted the Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Act, Protection of Plant Varieties, Clean Water Act, Biofuels Act and various laws declaring protected areas.
For reforestation, for next year we have budgeted P2 billion. Not only do forests enhance the beauty of the land, they mitigate climate change, a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and costing the country 0.5% of the GDP.
We have set up over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries since 2001. In the whaleshark sanctuary of Donsol, Sorsogon, Alan Amanse, 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two, was earning P100 a day from fishing and driving a tricycle. Now as whaleshark-watching officer, he is earns P1,000 a day, ten times his former income.
For clean water, so important to health, there is P500 million this year and P1.5 billion for next year.
From just one sanitary landfill in 2001, we now have 21, with another 18 in the works.
We launched the Zero Basura Olympics to clear our communities of trash. Rather than more money, all that is needed is for each citizen to keep home and workplace clean, and for garbage officials to stop squabbling.”
How we wish that the President could have been more specific with her plans.
Where will the P2 billion for reforestation be allocated? Would the funds be given to Local Government Units since the implementation of community-based forestry projects have already been devolved from the National Government by virtue of the Local Government Code?
Likewise, P2 billion would be allocated for clean water in the next two years. Again, no specifics just the general statement that there was an allocation.
We noted two significant items though: one is on the Zero Basura Olympics and the other on squabbling garbage officials.
First, the Zero Basura Olympics. The recently launched DENR program is the first of its kind in the country and it aims to fast-track the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. (Republic Act 9003 mandates the segregation of wastes by households with the primary responsibility to oversee its observance being placed in the Barangay.)
If only the law could be implemented right, we need not worry about looking for suitable sites for landfills since only residual waste need to be placed in them. All other wastes would either be reused, recycled or composted. The Zero Basura Olympics intend to encourage the immediate implementation of the law by giving incentives to LGUs and groups for undertaking meaningful projects.
Then she made mention of the squabbles among garbage officials. This too should be looked at what with the recent disagreement between Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando on where the City’s garbage could be dumped. This on the other hand stemmed from the on-going struggle over the Montalban landfill between Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III and Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo.
It should be seen in the context that what she is referring to as garbage officials are actually local government officials. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act places the primary responsibility for waste management on Barangay, Municipal and City officials. The President got it right when she said that government officials should stop squabbling on the issue of garbage. Indeed, the garbage situation would be resolved if only these officials, instead of competing, would learn to be creative and start cooperating.
My take on the Mining Act and if indeed it could be implemented without causing environmental damage in the coming blogs.
“I ask business and civil society to continue to work for a socially equitable, economically viable balance of interests. Mining companies should ensure that host communities benefit substantively from their investments, and with no environmental damage from operations.
Our administration enacted the Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Act, Protection of Plant Varieties, Clean Water Act, Biofuels Act and various laws declaring protected areas.
For reforestation, for next year we have budgeted P2 billion. Not only do forests enhance the beauty of the land, they mitigate climate change, a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and costing the country 0.5% of the GDP.
We have set up over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries since 2001. In the whaleshark sanctuary of Donsol, Sorsogon, Alan Amanse, 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two, was earning P100 a day from fishing and driving a tricycle. Now as whaleshark-watching officer, he is earns P1,000 a day, ten times his former income.
For clean water, so important to health, there is P500 million this year and P1.5 billion for next year.
From just one sanitary landfill in 2001, we now have 21, with another 18 in the works.
We launched the Zero Basura Olympics to clear our communities of trash. Rather than more money, all that is needed is for each citizen to keep home and workplace clean, and for garbage officials to stop squabbling.”
How we wish that the President could have been more specific with her plans.
Where will the P2 billion for reforestation be allocated? Would the funds be given to Local Government Units since the implementation of community-based forestry projects have already been devolved from the National Government by virtue of the Local Government Code?
Likewise, P2 billion would be allocated for clean water in the next two years. Again, no specifics just the general statement that there was an allocation.
We noted two significant items though: one is on the Zero Basura Olympics and the other on squabbling garbage officials.
First, the Zero Basura Olympics. The recently launched DENR program is the first of its kind in the country and it aims to fast-track the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. (Republic Act 9003 mandates the segregation of wastes by households with the primary responsibility to oversee its observance being placed in the Barangay.)
If only the law could be implemented right, we need not worry about looking for suitable sites for landfills since only residual waste need to be placed in them. All other wastes would either be reused, recycled or composted. The Zero Basura Olympics intend to encourage the immediate implementation of the law by giving incentives to LGUs and groups for undertaking meaningful projects.
Then she made mention of the squabbles among garbage officials. This too should be looked at what with the recent disagreement between Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando on where the City’s garbage could be dumped. This on the other hand stemmed from the on-going struggle over the Montalban landfill between Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III and Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo.
It should be seen in the context that what she is referring to as garbage officials are actually local government officials. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act places the primary responsibility for waste management on Barangay, Municipal and City officials. The President got it right when she said that government officials should stop squabbling on the issue of garbage. Indeed, the garbage situation would be resolved if only these officials, instead of competing, would learn to be creative and start cooperating.
My take on the Mining Act and if indeed it could be implemented without causing environmental damage in the coming blogs.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Let's Not Wait For Another Disaster Before We Act on Endosulfan
We have kept our silence on the M/V Princess of the Stars incident since after the day it happened. I was certain that there would be a cacophony of voices that would want to be heard on the issue, and a blogger's thoughts would not make a difference in that scenario.
We tried to digest all information that we have heard, read and seen, hoping that somehow we would be able to make sense of these bewildering developments.
Today we decided to break our silence and focus on the insecticide that remains trapped in the upturned vessel. Allow me to get quite technical here.
Endosulfan is a neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene family of pesticides. It is an endocrine disruptor, and it is highly acutely toxic. It is banned in the European Union, Cambodia, and several other countries, while its use is restricted in other countries, including the Philippines. It is still used extensively in many countries including the US and India. It is made by Bayer CropScience, Makhteshim-Agan, and Hindustan Insecticides Limited among others, and sold under the tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. Because of its high toxicity and high potential for bioaccumulation and environmental contamination, a global ban on the use and manufacture of endosulfan is being considered under the Stockholm Convention. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endosulfan)
Following are excerpts from the United Nations Environment Programme's(UNEP) Endosulfan Proposal, a paper submitted at the Third Meeting of Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee held at Geneva, Switzerland from November 19 to November 23, 2007:
"Excessive and improper application and handling of endosulfan have been linked to congenital physical disorders, mental retardations and deaths in farm workers and villagers in developing countries in Africa, southern Asia and Latin America. Endosulfan was found among the most frequently reported intoxication incidents, adding unintentionally further evidence to its high toxicity for humans.
According to the available data, endosulfan is very persistent in the environment and is frequently found in environmental compartments. It has a great potential for bioaccumulation. Due to its physical and chemical properties and atmospheric half-life, and based on modelling data and findings in environmental samples, it has been proved that endosulfan is transported long distances, far from its sources. Endosulfan is a very toxic chemical for nearly all kind oforganisms. Endosulfan has the potential to cause some endocrine disruption in both terrestrial and aquatic species.
Endosulfan causes neurotoxicity and haematological effects and nephrotoxicity. Placing on the market and use of endosulfan has been prohibited in the European Union. However, it is still produced in some countries (Worldwide production estimated at 10,000 metric tonnes.) and it continues to be used in many countries. Given the inherent properties of endosulfan, together with demonstrated or potential environmental concentrations that exceed maximum permissible concentrations; and given the widespread occurrence of endosulfan, including in remote areas; it is concluded that endosulfan is likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects, such that global action is warranted." (http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc_3/meetingdocs/poprc3_doc/05/poprc3_5e.pdf)
The pesticide was banned in the Philippines in 1993 but the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority allowed its restricted use in 1995 in order to prevent a disease that threatened the pineapple industry. The ban has not been reimposed on the pineapple growers since then despite the fact that the lifting of the ban was intended to last for only two years.
As we are sighing with disbelief,the main protagonists, Sulpicio Lines and Del Monte are engaging in an intramurals; the two sides are hurling allegations on who is to blame on why the dangerous shipment ended up in the passenger vessel. Sulpicio is claiming that Del Monte failed to declare that the cargo is highly toxic while Del Monte is claiming otherwise.
In the meantime, while they are debating and filing charges in Court, the salvage operations have been put on hold, the retrieval of bodies deferred and all fishing activities in the area stopped. Both living and dead have been affected by this disaster.
The official government stand is still forthcoming and the 10,000 kilograms of the dangerous chemical remains submerged off Romblon. Our Government cannot decide quickly on this very vital issue when what is needed is immediate and swift action.
Let us no wait for another disaster to happen as an offshoot of this disaster.
We tried to digest all information that we have heard, read and seen, hoping that somehow we would be able to make sense of these bewildering developments.
Today we decided to break our silence and focus on the insecticide that remains trapped in the upturned vessel. Allow me to get quite technical here.
Endosulfan is a neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene family of pesticides. It is an endocrine disruptor, and it is highly acutely toxic. It is banned in the European Union, Cambodia, and several other countries, while its use is restricted in other countries, including the Philippines. It is still used extensively in many countries including the US and India. It is made by Bayer CropScience, Makhteshim-Agan, and Hindustan Insecticides Limited among others, and sold under the tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. Because of its high toxicity and high potential for bioaccumulation and environmental contamination, a global ban on the use and manufacture of endosulfan is being considered under the Stockholm Convention. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endosulfan)
Following are excerpts from the United Nations Environment Programme's(UNEP) Endosulfan Proposal, a paper submitted at the Third Meeting of Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee held at Geneva, Switzerland from November 19 to November 23, 2007:
"Excessive and improper application and handling of endosulfan have been linked to congenital physical disorders, mental retardations and deaths in farm workers and villagers in developing countries in Africa, southern Asia and Latin America. Endosulfan was found among the most frequently reported intoxication incidents, adding unintentionally further evidence to its high toxicity for humans.
According to the available data, endosulfan is very persistent in the environment and is frequently found in environmental compartments. It has a great potential for bioaccumulation. Due to its physical and chemical properties and atmospheric half-life, and based on modelling data and findings in environmental samples, it has been proved that endosulfan is transported long distances, far from its sources. Endosulfan is a very toxic chemical for nearly all kind oforganisms. Endosulfan has the potential to cause some endocrine disruption in both terrestrial and aquatic species.
Endosulfan causes neurotoxicity and haematological effects and nephrotoxicity. Placing on the market and use of endosulfan has been prohibited in the European Union. However, it is still produced in some countries (Worldwide production estimated at 10,000 metric tonnes.) and it continues to be used in many countries. Given the inherent properties of endosulfan, together with demonstrated or potential environmental concentrations that exceed maximum permissible concentrations; and given the widespread occurrence of endosulfan, including in remote areas; it is concluded that endosulfan is likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects, such that global action is warranted." (http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc_3/meetingdocs/poprc3_doc/05/poprc3_5e.pdf)
The pesticide was banned in the Philippines in 1993 but the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority allowed its restricted use in 1995 in order to prevent a disease that threatened the pineapple industry. The ban has not been reimposed on the pineapple growers since then despite the fact that the lifting of the ban was intended to last for only two years.
As we are sighing with disbelief,the main protagonists, Sulpicio Lines and Del Monte are engaging in an intramurals; the two sides are hurling allegations on who is to blame on why the dangerous shipment ended up in the passenger vessel. Sulpicio is claiming that Del Monte failed to declare that the cargo is highly toxic while Del Monte is claiming otherwise.
In the meantime, while they are debating and filing charges in Court, the salvage operations have been put on hold, the retrieval of bodies deferred and all fishing activities in the area stopped. Both living and dead have been affected by this disaster.
The official government stand is still forthcoming and the 10,000 kilograms of the dangerous chemical remains submerged off Romblon. Our Government cannot decide quickly on this very vital issue when what is needed is immediate and swift action.
Let us no wait for another disaster to happen as an offshoot of this disaster.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
"Franked!"
The winds have started to subside and the rains are down to a trickle. Typhoon Frank has passed Metro Manila and is now wreaking havoc in Central Luzon. Hopefully, it would decide to leave the Philippines' AOR and go to South China Sea soon.
The strong typhoon brought with it thousands of gallons of rainwater; various areas of Mindanao and the Visayas were severely drenched and it has been raining in Luzon for two days now. Reports indicate that Iloilo was hardest hit with the Governor being quoted in the local radio as saying: "Iloilo is like an ocean.This is the worst disaster we have had in our history."
Dozens of lives were lost due to the storm. A looming disaster by way of a sunken ship has been keeping the radio stations busy. The fate of the passengers of the M/V Princess of the Stars are still undetermined. The ship was seen upturned off the island of Sibuyan in Romblon and a handful of survivors were seen but the whereabouts of the rest of the 700 passengers and 120 crewmembers cannot be ascertained yet.
We spent the day looking out our window and watching roofing materials fly off; the electricity went out early this morning and we have no TV, no DSL.The radio provided information though. Provincial Governors Salceda and Panlilio were both interviewed and seem to be adequately prepared for any calamity that may happen while Vice President Noli appeared to be in control as the President is in the United States. I was hoping to hear our Governor on air too but this was not to be. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Batangas was on the job though as we heard that it was providing hot meals to the stranded passengers at the Batangas Port.
Oh, the radio also provided entertainment. We heard the President getting irked while talking with the Admiral from the Coast Guard. They were talking in English and apparently the meanings of the simple words used were not faithfully comprehended forcing the President to gradually raise her voice in exasperation. (As I have said so many times before, we Filipinos can be at par with the world's best in speaking the King's language but what hinders communication is our listening comprehension. We talk yes, but we fail to listen.) The news reporters who were watching the video conference were asked to leave the briefing room so that they would not hear the angry words anymore. End of entertainment.
I am now enjoying the luxury of electricity. The TV is on again, the computer and the Internet access are back. I can now blog, my son can finish his Science homework and my daughter could update on the latest Disney Channel program. I will watch the evening news with a fervent prayer and hope that the Philippines would be alright.
The strong typhoon brought with it thousands of gallons of rainwater; various areas of Mindanao and the Visayas were severely drenched and it has been raining in Luzon for two days now. Reports indicate that Iloilo was hardest hit with the Governor being quoted in the local radio as saying: "Iloilo is like an ocean.This is the worst disaster we have had in our history."
Dozens of lives were lost due to the storm. A looming disaster by way of a sunken ship has been keeping the radio stations busy. The fate of the passengers of the M/V Princess of the Stars are still undetermined. The ship was seen upturned off the island of Sibuyan in Romblon and a handful of survivors were seen but the whereabouts of the rest of the 700 passengers and 120 crewmembers cannot be ascertained yet.
We spent the day looking out our window and watching roofing materials fly off; the electricity went out early this morning and we have no TV, no DSL.The radio provided information though. Provincial Governors Salceda and Panlilio were both interviewed and seem to be adequately prepared for any calamity that may happen while Vice President Noli appeared to be in control as the President is in the United States. I was hoping to hear our Governor on air too but this was not to be. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Batangas was on the job though as we heard that it was providing hot meals to the stranded passengers at the Batangas Port.
Oh, the radio also provided entertainment. We heard the President getting irked while talking with the Admiral from the Coast Guard. They were talking in English and apparently the meanings of the simple words used were not faithfully comprehended forcing the President to gradually raise her voice in exasperation. (As I have said so many times before, we Filipinos can be at par with the world's best in speaking the King's language but what hinders communication is our listening comprehension. We talk yes, but we fail to listen.) The news reporters who were watching the video conference were asked to leave the briefing room so that they would not hear the angry words anymore. End of entertainment.
I am now enjoying the luxury of electricity. The TV is on again, the computer and the Internet access are back. I can now blog, my son can finish his Science homework and my daughter could update on the latest Disney Channel program. I will watch the evening news with a fervent prayer and hope that the Philippines would be alright.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Teaching Children Well
My ten year old came back from school with a Science class homework. Surprise, surprise, the topic was the Seven Environmental Principles. It was comforting to realize that the school was starting them early on this matter. Of course we had to do the assignment together and what I did was to open the PEMSEA website (http://www.pemsea.org/) so that she could read more on the topic. It was PEMSEA and its various programs in Batangas that opened my eyes to the lifelong pursuit of the study about the environment.
The first principle is NATURE KNOWS BEST. As the site says "This principle is the most basic and in fact encompasses all the others."
It could not have been said better. The foundation for learning about the environment rests on two things: first, it must come with the understanding that we should respect nature and its processes, and two, we must realize how humans have failed miserably to do this and in fact we have come close to davastating Mother Nature.
Thank you so much for the Grade School and its curriculum that places a heavy emphasis on environmental study.
The assignment became a work in progress then. Since Monday, we have had a mini-lecture series on the Seven Principles, Batangas Bay and the emissions of the vehicles caught in traffic at Katipunan Road. Homework time has never been this enjoyable, what with your daughter eagerly plunging head-on into the subject matter. (To think that Science has been her least favorite subject matter for the last 4 years of Grade School!)
I just hope that we could continue this. Children learn mostly from school and if this learning could be ably supplemented by parental concern, children would know more and get to love what they learn about.
The first principle is NATURE KNOWS BEST. As the site says "This principle is the most basic and in fact encompasses all the others."
It could not have been said better. The foundation for learning about the environment rests on two things: first, it must come with the understanding that we should respect nature and its processes, and two, we must realize how humans have failed miserably to do this and in fact we have come close to davastating Mother Nature.
Thank you so much for the Grade School and its curriculum that places a heavy emphasis on environmental study.
The assignment became a work in progress then. Since Monday, we have had a mini-lecture series on the Seven Principles, Batangas Bay and the emissions of the vehicles caught in traffic at Katipunan Road. Homework time has never been this enjoyable, what with your daughter eagerly plunging head-on into the subject matter. (To think that Science has been her least favorite subject matter for the last 4 years of Grade School!)
I just hope that we could continue this. Children learn mostly from school and if this learning could be ably supplemented by parental concern, children would know more and get to love what they learn about.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Rains and Traffic
Last Wednesday my children experienced their very first downpour here at Quezon City. Not that rains are new to them, but that was their first time to see the effects of a heavy downpour on traffic in Major Metro Manila streets. For more than an hour, the rains poured at Loyola Heights, drenching Aurora Boulevard, Katipunan Road, Esteban Abada, Xavierville Avenue and all the streets in between.
All vehicles that happened to be there at around 3:30 p.m. had to endure heavy traffic for the rest of the afternoon. From the vantage point of our room, we saw slow, slow, moving vehicles until way past 7 p.m.
The experience was an eye-opener. My son and his friends stayed in a car for about an hour. Considering that the distance they were supposed to travel was less than 2 kilometers, that time spent in the car without their DS Lites and PSPs was next to eternity.
I was a passenger in a car then (which was better than being the driver of the car) and all througout the time I was sitting there, I amused myself by imagining how all the school bus drivers were coping in the environment of a closed vehicle full of irritated school children. The jeepney, taxi and tricycle drivers surely lost a lot of opportunities what with being stuck in the same place for an hour.
Dinner was take-out food. I did not have the energy to cook anymore and knowing myself, I would have not cooked well that night anyway. That left me some time to watch the evening news with their reports on the Quezon City floods.
Again, the floods in an urban setting was a new experience for my kids and another future opportunity for me to blog about.
All vehicles that happened to be there at around 3:30 p.m. had to endure heavy traffic for the rest of the afternoon. From the vantage point of our room, we saw slow, slow, moving vehicles until way past 7 p.m.
The experience was an eye-opener. My son and his friends stayed in a car for about an hour. Considering that the distance they were supposed to travel was less than 2 kilometers, that time spent in the car without their DS Lites and PSPs was next to eternity.
I was a passenger in a car then (which was better than being the driver of the car) and all througout the time I was sitting there, I amused myself by imagining how all the school bus drivers were coping in the environment of a closed vehicle full of irritated school children. The jeepney, taxi and tricycle drivers surely lost a lot of opportunities what with being stuck in the same place for an hour.
Dinner was take-out food. I did not have the energy to cook anymore and knowing myself, I would have not cooked well that night anyway. That left me some time to watch the evening news with their reports on the Quezon City floods.
Again, the floods in an urban setting was a new experience for my kids and another future opportunity for me to blog about.
Friday, March 14, 2008
LIghts Out
On 29 March 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for Earth Hour - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.
Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 pm on Sat, 29 Mar. 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding the message in this blog to your friends, workmates and family.
Earth Hour will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 pm on Sat, 29 Mar. 2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding the message in this blog to your friends, workmates and family.
View Earth Hour Video
Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, Earth Hour moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
Today's buildings account for:
Green Buildings save:
- 30% in energy
- 35% in CO2 emissions
- 30–50% in water use
- 50–90% in waste costs
beneficiALI. An Ayala Land Campaign for Sustainability.
YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF Earth Hour page at: www.earthhour.org.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Disturbing Weather Disturbances
In our earlier post, we expressed our surprise with the weather that we have been experiencing lately. Rains have continued to pound various parts of the country and as a result, flash floods rampaged through villages leaving dozens dead, farmlands destroyed, families homeless and precious infrastructure ruined. We do not see the rains abating soon and it is supposed to be the dry season!
The rains are being attributed to a weak La Nina prevailing over the equatorial Pacific. As this condition persists, the rainy days will remain, even extending up to the month of March.
Question. What should we expect next?
Scientists say that the La Nina and El Nino are the manifestations of different stages of a cyclical pattern known as the Southern Oscillation. Tracking of the patterns were started in the early 20th century and the cycle was observed to occur roughly every six to seven years.
What is disturbing is that La Nina and El Nino are now occurring more frequently and with more ferocity. What is causing this?
A lively debate still rages on whether or not global warming has exacerbated the cycle. As I do not have the most recent empirical data on the subject matter, I am withholding comment on this.
Suffice it to say that I still maintain that we are the keepers of this planet, our only livable planet. We should always remember to take responsibility for our actions that may have an impact on the viability of this place we are living in.
The rains are being attributed to a weak La Nina prevailing over the equatorial Pacific. As this condition persists, the rainy days will remain, even extending up to the month of March.
Question. What should we expect next?
Scientists say that the La Nina and El Nino are the manifestations of different stages of a cyclical pattern known as the Southern Oscillation. Tracking of the patterns were started in the early 20th century and the cycle was observed to occur roughly every six to seven years.
What is disturbing is that La Nina and El Nino are now occurring more frequently and with more ferocity. What is causing this?
A lively debate still rages on whether or not global warming has exacerbated the cycle. As I do not have the most recent empirical data on the subject matter, I am withholding comment on this.
Suffice it to say that I still maintain that we are the keepers of this planet, our only livable planet. We should always remember to take responsibility for our actions that may have an impact on the viability of this place we are living in.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Flash Floods in February
It used to be that the onset of the two seasons in the Philippines is so well defined. The rains would come in June and stop by November. The dry season would then start and culminate in the merry month of May. Many activities were time bound to the two seasons then: rice planting is scheduled in time with the rains, road building is fast tracked during the dry months, even elections were purposely set by the Constitution to be on the second Monday of May just so that the politicians won't be forced to campaign during the muddy season. (I swear that this is true. Honest)
We really never paid attention to weather patterns; we somehow conveniently thought that the rains would come by June. (After all, during the religious fiestas in May we practically prayed for rain everyday!) We also knew that by November, the rains would have abated and we could start looking forward to dry spells.
NOW, NOT ANYMORE.
The rains came down hard on Samar and Leyte the other day. As a result of the off-season rain, flash floods occurred in numerous towns, more than 5000 families were evacuated, at least 8 people died and various infrastructure were severely damaged.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, (a colleague from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines so many summers back) was quoted as saying that we may be seeing the effects of global warming.
Global warming is the most apparent manifestation of climate change that we know. Environmental studies indicate that such change is human influenced. Putting it rather bluntly, this change that we are now seeing is caused by irresponsible human acts. Increased carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere is being pointed to as the main cause of such increase in global temperatures.
What are the leading causes of such increased carbon dioxide emissions? First is fossil fuel burning, second is land use change including massive deforestation and third is cement manufacturing. (Carbon dioxide is released when calcium carbonate is heated to produce calcium oxide or quicklime. Quicklime is a basic ingredient in cement).
Another factor in rapid global warming is the increase of other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. What is doubly problematic is that the prime contributor of such gases is the livestock industry. Livestock releases nitrous oxide and methane into the atmosphere and these cause chaos in the ozone layer. We need the livestock industry in order to combat hunger but while we are engaging in it we are creating another problem.
The Philippines is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, an output of the Convention on Climate Change, which is intended to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We should expect to see that our government policies adhere to the provisions of the Protocol and to what we have agreed to in the treaty.
What is more important though is to take individual action on reducing the emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Here are some of the things we can do: one, let us reduce the use of motorized vehicles; two, let us be more prudent in the use of energy; three, let us practice recycling and re-using and four, let us plant more trees.
There is an endless list of the little things that we could do in order to slow down the effects of climate change. The key here is to take personal responsibility for the environment so that more results could be effected.
We really never paid attention to weather patterns; we somehow conveniently thought that the rains would come by June. (After all, during the religious fiestas in May we practically prayed for rain everyday!) We also knew that by November, the rains would have abated and we could start looking forward to dry spells.
NOW, NOT ANYMORE.
The rains came down hard on Samar and Leyte the other day. As a result of the off-season rain, flash floods occurred in numerous towns, more than 5000 families were evacuated, at least 8 people died and various infrastructure were severely damaged.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, (a colleague from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines so many summers back) was quoted as saying that we may be seeing the effects of global warming.
Global warming is the most apparent manifestation of climate change that we know. Environmental studies indicate that such change is human influenced. Putting it rather bluntly, this change that we are now seeing is caused by irresponsible human acts. Increased carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere is being pointed to as the main cause of such increase in global temperatures.
What are the leading causes of such increased carbon dioxide emissions? First is fossil fuel burning, second is land use change including massive deforestation and third is cement manufacturing. (Carbon dioxide is released when calcium carbonate is heated to produce calcium oxide or quicklime. Quicklime is a basic ingredient in cement).
Another factor in rapid global warming is the increase of other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. What is doubly problematic is that the prime contributor of such gases is the livestock industry. Livestock releases nitrous oxide and methane into the atmosphere and these cause chaos in the ozone layer. We need the livestock industry in order to combat hunger but while we are engaging in it we are creating another problem.
The Philippines is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, an output of the Convention on Climate Change, which is intended to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We should expect to see that our government policies adhere to the provisions of the Protocol and to what we have agreed to in the treaty.
What is more important though is to take individual action on reducing the emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Here are some of the things we can do: one, let us reduce the use of motorized vehicles; two, let us be more prudent in the use of energy; three, let us practice recycling and re-using and four, let us plant more trees.
There is an endless list of the little things that we could do in order to slow down the effects of climate change. The key here is to take personal responsibility for the environment so that more results could be effected.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Vote for Tubbataha Reef
Hi everyone!
The 96,000- hectare Tubbataha Reef, Asia's best marine park,
has been nominated as one of the seven new Wonders of the World.
Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the
Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef
National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls,
North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that
protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep
channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species,
including many that are endangered, can be found on the reef.
These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises,
clownfish and sharks.
You can vote for Tubbataha Reef by going to this site:
http://www.new7wonders.com/nature
Search for the nominees and you will be asked to vote for 7 sites.
The trick is, choose Tubbataha Reef as your first choice
and for the other six, select the most unknown nominees.
This gives more chances for Tubbataha to make it to the top 21
finalists. Presently, it's ranked top 35, down from top 33 last week.
Thanks!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Waste Co-Processing
We read with great interest an article ran by Holcim Philippines, Inc. on The Philippine Daily Inquirer last Sunday. The article tackled the company's efforts in utilizing co-processing of waste in cement production in their plants in the Philippines.
About two years ago, while doing research on solid waste management, I read an article about a study being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology on the matter of using industrial waste as fuel for the kilns of the cement industry. The study is intended to serve as a guide for crafting policy on co-processing of wastes taking into consideration the strict provisions of the Clean Air Act. Our research was stopped as it was overtaken by events in the colorful world of provincial politics and I failed to monitor what eventually happened to the DOST initiative.
The announcement (through the PDI article) that four Holcim Philippines plants have already started co-processing is a delightful surprise. Co-processing not only cuts fossil fuel costs, it also provides an environmentally friendly alternative to waste disposal.
In more graphic terms, imagine a mountain of used car and truck tires. If no solution would be found on how to dispose of these tires, they would eventually be dumped onto landfills. (Of course, minus the few thousands burned during the insane New Year Celebrations we have hereabouts) One option is to incinerate these tires but this option is not available anymore in the era of the Clean Air Act. The solution was eventually found in co-processing.
What else can be used in co-processing? Liquid waste such as used oil, sludge, solvents and paint residues and solid waste such as contaminated rags, mould runners and packaging materials. All of these would have been dumped into our landfills if co-processing is not utilized.
This brings me back to my pet peeve. Can we use our unsegregated garbage in the co-processing scheme? The answer is an absolute no! Only specific wastes may be used in co-processing and since our garbage is practically not sorted, there is a big risk that severe pollutants may have been included in it and burning would only result in the release of these pollutants into the air.
Our thoughts on this?
Co-processing provides us a good alternative to waste disposal and it provides a solution to some of the problems that persist in waste management. Yes it relieves us of some of our worries but it is not the cure for all our troubles. Waste, as it is, is brought about by human insensitivity to the ways of nature. If we could only be more responsible for our actions, then we would not have had the problems in the first place.
About two years ago, while doing research on solid waste management, I read an article about a study being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology on the matter of using industrial waste as fuel for the kilns of the cement industry. The study is intended to serve as a guide for crafting policy on co-processing of wastes taking into consideration the strict provisions of the Clean Air Act. Our research was stopped as it was overtaken by events in the colorful world of provincial politics and I failed to monitor what eventually happened to the DOST initiative.
The announcement (through the PDI article) that four Holcim Philippines plants have already started co-processing is a delightful surprise. Co-processing not only cuts fossil fuel costs, it also provides an environmentally friendly alternative to waste disposal.
In more graphic terms, imagine a mountain of used car and truck tires. If no solution would be found on how to dispose of these tires, they would eventually be dumped onto landfills. (Of course, minus the few thousands burned during the insane New Year Celebrations we have hereabouts) One option is to incinerate these tires but this option is not available anymore in the era of the Clean Air Act. The solution was eventually found in co-processing.
What else can be used in co-processing? Liquid waste such as used oil, sludge, solvents and paint residues and solid waste such as contaminated rags, mould runners and packaging materials. All of these would have been dumped into our landfills if co-processing is not utilized.
This brings me back to my pet peeve. Can we use our unsegregated garbage in the co-processing scheme? The answer is an absolute no! Only specific wastes may be used in co-processing and since our garbage is practically not sorted, there is a big risk that severe pollutants may have been included in it and burning would only result in the release of these pollutants into the air.
Our thoughts on this?
Co-processing provides us a good alternative to waste disposal and it provides a solution to some of the problems that persist in waste management. Yes it relieves us of some of our worries but it is not the cure for all our troubles. Waste, as it is, is brought about by human insensitivity to the ways of nature. If we could only be more responsible for our actions, then we would not have had the problems in the first place.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
That Gasoline Tanker Blast
I grew up in a rural community that is host to an an oil refinery. I have had my share of memories of accidental fires in the facility; of the two most vivid ones, one left a relative severely burned and disfigured and one involved an oil tanker that was burned while docked at the refinery's jetty at Batangas Bay.
It goes without saying that at an early age, I was already aware of the real danger posed by inappropriate handling of gasoline products. Come to think of it, our family home is less than a kilometer away from two giant LPG vessels. Do I know how to be wary of mishandling LPG!
I ended up working for some time for an American company that built a new refinery to replace the thirty year old relic. A few months before completion of the new plant, I witnessed a fireball that erupted from a flare caused by the build up of pressure due to a malfunctioning pump. I was in an airconditioned building some five hundred meters away from that flare but I still felt the extreme heat when the blast occurred.
Having been exposed to all these, I was first lured into studies concerning safety and later on began to look into the realm of the environment and the conservation of natural resources. Learning is a lifelong passion and so I continue to study up to this day.
Yesterday, past 10 pm, Manila time, a tanker carrying 14,000 liters of diesel fuel and 2,000 liters of gasoline exploded after crossing Nagtahan Bridge in Manila. One person was killed, a number injured and some 13 vehicles were burned.
This incident made me write this post. The Batangas refinery has a 110 thousand barrels per stream day capacity. The finished products are transported using gasoline lorries, LPG tankers or barges or pumped through the two pipelines laid out between Batangas and Manila. In moving these products, the trucks, lorries and tankers pass through residential areas of the City.
Now that I am thinking of it, I have suddenly realized that these products pass through a route that is barely two hundred meters away from my house!
It is high time that a review of the oil movement situation in Batangas is done. An accident has occurred in Manila and we should not wait for an accident to happen in Batangas. Let us act now and prevent similar incidents from happening.
It goes without saying that at an early age, I was already aware of the real danger posed by inappropriate handling of gasoline products. Come to think of it, our family home is less than a kilometer away from two giant LPG vessels. Do I know how to be wary of mishandling LPG!
I ended up working for some time for an American company that built a new refinery to replace the thirty year old relic. A few months before completion of the new plant, I witnessed a fireball that erupted from a flare caused by the build up of pressure due to a malfunctioning pump. I was in an airconditioned building some five hundred meters away from that flare but I still felt the extreme heat when the blast occurred.
Having been exposed to all these, I was first lured into studies concerning safety and later on began to look into the realm of the environment and the conservation of natural resources. Learning is a lifelong passion and so I continue to study up to this day.
Yesterday, past 10 pm, Manila time, a tanker carrying 14,000 liters of diesel fuel and 2,000 liters of gasoline exploded after crossing Nagtahan Bridge in Manila. One person was killed, a number injured and some 13 vehicles were burned.
This incident made me write this post. The Batangas refinery has a 110 thousand barrels per stream day capacity. The finished products are transported using gasoline lorries, LPG tankers or barges or pumped through the two pipelines laid out between Batangas and Manila. In moving these products, the trucks, lorries and tankers pass through residential areas of the City.
Now that I am thinking of it, I have suddenly realized that these products pass through a route that is barely two hundred meters away from my house!
It is high time that a review of the oil movement situation in Batangas is done. An accident has occurred in Manila and we should not wait for an accident to happen in Batangas. Let us act now and prevent similar incidents from happening.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Transport Wishes
A few days back, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn was seen on national TV testing a prototype of the "Tricycle ng Bayan." The tricycles run on an electric motor using a rechargeable battery. He plans to deploy at least 100 Trikebayans in his City in the next few months.
It caught my attention as the electric tricycle offers a solution to the persistent noise and air pollution that is caused by the multitudes of gas powered ones plying the streets of the Philippines. There are more than two million tricycles running in the towns and cities of our beloved country. All of these are gas powered and noisy. If the operators would be convinced to convert to electric powered tricycles, we could just imagine the reduction of emissions and decibel levels we would be encountering everyday.
Compare this initiative with the Israeli government's move to encourage its citizens to shift to electric cars. Government policy planners and project implementors are focusing their eyes into making this a viable undertaking. Time Magazine quoted Israel President Shimon Peres as saying that this is "an experimental lab, a pilot project, before it's applied to other, bigger industrialized nations." (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1705518,00.html).
What struck me in the plan is that the Israelis are going to build the necessary support infrastructure to ensure that the project will be a success. Battery charging stations are going to be constructed all over Israel so that the problem of running out on charge would be minimized.
Another item that caught my attention was the news bite that quoted the University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies as having said that there is a glut of public utility vehicles in Metro Manila streets.
I think that this is a no brainer.Just take a trip on EDSA and one can easily see the half empty buses chugging along, clogging the roadways. A more efficient system of dispatching these vehicles should be done so that at the very least, the number of vehicles could be minimized.
If only a fairy godmother would appear and give me three wishes, these would be the wishes that I would make: I am wishing that the LRT/MRT link could be started and finished. I am wishing that a subway could be built in Metro Manila. I am wishing that the national railway system could be revived. If my wishes would be granted, maybe the Philippines may still make it.
It caught my attention as the electric tricycle offers a solution to the persistent noise and air pollution that is caused by the multitudes of gas powered ones plying the streets of the Philippines. There are more than two million tricycles running in the towns and cities of our beloved country. All of these are gas powered and noisy. If the operators would be convinced to convert to electric powered tricycles, we could just imagine the reduction of emissions and decibel levels we would be encountering everyday.
Compare this initiative with the Israeli government's move to encourage its citizens to shift to electric cars. Government policy planners and project implementors are focusing their eyes into making this a viable undertaking. Time Magazine quoted Israel President Shimon Peres as saying that this is "an experimental lab, a pilot project, before it's applied to other, bigger industrialized nations." (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1705518,00.html).
What struck me in the plan is that the Israelis are going to build the necessary support infrastructure to ensure that the project will be a success. Battery charging stations are going to be constructed all over Israel so that the problem of running out on charge would be minimized.
Another item that caught my attention was the news bite that quoted the University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies as having said that there is a glut of public utility vehicles in Metro Manila streets.
I think that this is a no brainer.Just take a trip on EDSA and one can easily see the half empty buses chugging along, clogging the roadways. A more efficient system of dispatching these vehicles should be done so that at the very least, the number of vehicles could be minimized.
If only a fairy godmother would appear and give me three wishes, these would be the wishes that I would make: I am wishing that the LRT/MRT link could be started and finished. I am wishing that a subway could be built in Metro Manila. I am wishing that the national railway system could be revived. If my wishes would be granted, maybe the Philippines may still make it.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Reactions to News Items
I watched the late news on Studio 23 tonight and saw two disturbing news items.
One, Boracay regulars are now complaining of the dirty water coming out of pipes that drain onto the sea. Officials of the Municipality of Malay claim that the water coming out of pipes came from a natural spring and is in fact not dirty. Visitors are claiming otherwise. Residents though are saying that there are times that their homes are being flooded and the water that goes inside the houses are murky smelly water.
Just a food for thought: is there already a sewage treatment facility in the island?
Two, hospital waste from a private institution in Bacoor, Cavite are not being collected by the garbagemen for fear that these are contaminated. What was shown on TV is the mound of trash that contains used syringes and dextrose bags, soiled bandages and other hospital trash. Mind you, this was a pile of unsegregated garbage with hospital wastes to boot!
Query: Various laws have obviously been violated in this instance, why are they not being enforced here?
There was a bright spot in the news though; in Norzagaray, Bulacan, a dumpsite (apparently a sanitary landfill) was featured with the manager of the facility being quoted as inviting the people to come and visit the place. He is claiming that they have followed all the requirements set forth in the Solid Waste Law and that they are observing the correct procedures in the disposal of human excesses.
Yes, a sanitary landfill is a vast improvement over the open dumpsite, but as I have earlier said, segregation of wastes is the key to solving the Problem.
One, Boracay regulars are now complaining of the dirty water coming out of pipes that drain onto the sea. Officials of the Municipality of Malay claim that the water coming out of pipes came from a natural spring and is in fact not dirty. Visitors are claiming otherwise. Residents though are saying that there are times that their homes are being flooded and the water that goes inside the houses are murky smelly water.
Just a food for thought: is there already a sewage treatment facility in the island?
Two, hospital waste from a private institution in Bacoor, Cavite are not being collected by the garbagemen for fear that these are contaminated. What was shown on TV is the mound of trash that contains used syringes and dextrose bags, soiled bandages and other hospital trash. Mind you, this was a pile of unsegregated garbage with hospital wastes to boot!
Query: Various laws have obviously been violated in this instance, why are they not being enforced here?
There was a bright spot in the news though; in Norzagaray, Bulacan, a dumpsite (apparently a sanitary landfill) was featured with the manager of the facility being quoted as inviting the people to come and visit the place. He is claiming that they have followed all the requirements set forth in the Solid Waste Law and that they are observing the correct procedures in the disposal of human excesses.
Yes, a sanitary landfill is a vast improvement over the open dumpsite, but as I have earlier said, segregation of wastes is the key to solving the Problem.
The Batangas Bay Experience
Way back 1996, as a member then of the Provincial Board of Batangas, we authored an Ordinance creating the Batangas Bay Region Environmental Protection Council. We thought of creating that Council when we realized just how many Government agencies were somehow directly or indirectly involved in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the unique ecosystem of Batangas Bay.
Consider this: we had the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Maritime Industry Authority, the then Export Processing Zone Authority now Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Provincial Government, the City Government of Batangas, and the Municipal Governments of Bauan, San Pascual and Tingloy.
Honestly, our sole purpose then was to pass an Ordinance that would create a body that would somehow convince these government agencies to sit down together and talk about Batangas Bay. There is an ulterior motive though and that is by bringing them together, the sustainable development of Batangas Bay may be, even parenthetically, discussed. That would be an achievement.
Meet they did at least four times a year from then on. Eventually, the council became part of the programs of the UNDP and PEMSEA for Batangas Bay.
Fast forward to 2005 and Dr. Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer and their finding that Batangas Bay is the center of the center of Marine biodiversity with the richest concentration of marine life in the entire planet. It has long been known that the Philippines belongs to an ocean region that has the most marine life but it was only after Carpenter and Springer published their study that the significance of Batangas Bay to the world of marine biology became evident.
We never knew this in 1995 when we started the move to pass the Ordinance. Somehow, mother earth managed to have its way and the law that would help in protecting our beloved bay came to be.
Consider this: we had the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Navy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Maritime Industry Authority, the then Export Processing Zone Authority now Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Provincial Government, the City Government of Batangas, and the Municipal Governments of Bauan, San Pascual and Tingloy.
Honestly, our sole purpose then was to pass an Ordinance that would create a body that would somehow convince these government agencies to sit down together and talk about Batangas Bay. There is an ulterior motive though and that is by bringing them together, the sustainable development of Batangas Bay may be, even parenthetically, discussed. That would be an achievement.
Meet they did at least four times a year from then on. Eventually, the council became part of the programs of the UNDP and PEMSEA for Batangas Bay.
Fast forward to 2005 and Dr. Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer and their finding that Batangas Bay is the center of the center of Marine biodiversity with the richest concentration of marine life in the entire planet. It has long been known that the Philippines belongs to an ocean region that has the most marine life but it was only after Carpenter and Springer published their study that the significance of Batangas Bay to the world of marine biology became evident.
We never knew this in 1995 when we started the move to pass the Ordinance. Somehow, mother earth managed to have its way and the law that would help in protecting our beloved bay came to be.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Carbon Fiber Technology for use in Aquatic Environmental Protection
I was watching a TV feature on a Japanese professor who is developing an application for interwoven carbon fibers for aquatic environmental protection. I surfed the Internet afterwards and saw an abstract of the scientific investigation and was further intrigued by it.
One application of carbon fiber is for water purification of sewage in urban areas. The video was quite vivid and the result of the experiment was simply amazing. There was rapid and mass fixation of activated sludge on the carbon fibers. Futhermore, it appears that carbon has an effect on the growth of microorganisms and these microorganisms in turn end up devouring the sludge. Tests conducted after the carbon fiber products were placed in polluted water showed that the water became cleaner after a period of time.
One could just imagine what the effect would be if a series of carbon fiber nets were strategically placed at Pasig River in Manila! Our policy formulators should find a way to acquire the technology from the Japanese professor and apply the same to the polluted fresh water lakes in the Philippines.
If properly used, this technology could help stop the continuing degradation of the quality of our fresh water bodies. Human ingenuity to counteract human excesses.
One application of carbon fiber is for water purification of sewage in urban areas. The video was quite vivid and the result of the experiment was simply amazing. There was rapid and mass fixation of activated sludge on the carbon fibers. Futhermore, it appears that carbon has an effect on the growth of microorganisms and these microorganisms in turn end up devouring the sludge. Tests conducted after the carbon fiber products were placed in polluted water showed that the water became cleaner after a period of time.
One could just imagine what the effect would be if a series of carbon fiber nets were strategically placed at Pasig River in Manila! Our policy formulators should find a way to acquire the technology from the Japanese professor and apply the same to the polluted fresh water lakes in the Philippines.
If properly used, this technology could help stop the continuing degradation of the quality of our fresh water bodies. Human ingenuity to counteract human excesses.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Trash
I watched the early evening news today January 15,2008 and here are some items that I took note of:
In Naples, Italy. residents are complaining because of trash that remain uncollected for the last three weeks. The City dump has been closed and the government has brought in the Army to help. Some of the City's trash were loaded onto trucks and brought by ferry boat to Sicily. As can be expected, protesters angrily met the truckloads of rubbish. City magistrates are still to decide on whether incinerators should be allowed just so to solve the worsening problem.
In Meycauayan City, Bulacan, a few kilometers North of Manila, Philippines, the City dump was closed down due to incessant complaints from residents. According to the manager of the facility, the 3 hectare dumpsite suffered from little or no maintenance at all due limited funds. As a result of this, the trash remained untreated in the open pits and created a stench that affected the nearby village.
In Davao City, Philippines, at least two houses were crushed when a mountain of trash fell on them. The incident happened in the old City dump. No other details were provided.
Theses events were unrelated and they happened hundreds of kilometers away from one another, but a common thread runs through them. Trash! Unsegregated garbage dumped into landfills. Non-biodegradable materials and biodegradable items mixed and thrown into open pits.
Some problems are brought to light. One, absolute failure to undertake segregation. Two, the inefficiency of landfills. Three, the temptation to resort to quick fix solutions that may bring about greater problems like incineration. Four, lack of government funds for proper garbage disposal.
We need to make a collective effort to come up with solutions to these problems. Unless we do that, the incidents narrated above will be repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated ...
In Naples, Italy. residents are complaining because of trash that remain uncollected for the last three weeks. The City dump has been closed and the government has brought in the Army to help. Some of the City's trash were loaded onto trucks and brought by ferry boat to Sicily. As can be expected, protesters angrily met the truckloads of rubbish. City magistrates are still to decide on whether incinerators should be allowed just so to solve the worsening problem.
In Meycauayan City, Bulacan, a few kilometers North of Manila, Philippines, the City dump was closed down due to incessant complaints from residents. According to the manager of the facility, the 3 hectare dumpsite suffered from little or no maintenance at all due limited funds. As a result of this, the trash remained untreated in the open pits and created a stench that affected the nearby village.
In Davao City, Philippines, at least two houses were crushed when a mountain of trash fell on them. The incident happened in the old City dump. No other details were provided.
Theses events were unrelated and they happened hundreds of kilometers away from one another, but a common thread runs through them. Trash! Unsegregated garbage dumped into landfills. Non-biodegradable materials and biodegradable items mixed and thrown into open pits.
Some problems are brought to light. One, absolute failure to undertake segregation. Two, the inefficiency of landfills. Three, the temptation to resort to quick fix solutions that may bring about greater problems like incineration. Four, lack of government funds for proper garbage disposal.
We need to make a collective effort to come up with solutions to these problems. Unless we do that, the incidents narrated above will be repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated ...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Let Us Start With Paper
I have had enough of the way of the waste. It is time to do things in a better way. Let us start with paper. If only people would learn to segregate paper from all the trash that they throw away, we would be able to reduce the amount that government needs to collect and dispose of by at least twenty percent daily.
Yes, we start with paper. Only paper. We tell this to kids at school, the Moms and Dads who are in their offices, the busy person on the way to somewhere. Let us start with paper. All we have to do at first is to just focus on waste made out of paper.
Don't throw the old newspapers, books, magazines and pamphlets out. Just segregate these and place them on a separate container. Day in day out, leave the paper alone.
Once a substantial amount is segregated and collected, these should be brought to a recycling facility and sold.
We have reduced our waste by twenty percent and earned some cash from the exercise.
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