UP Environmental Roots Alliance

Green Acts: Back to Basics

2009-10-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

From the moment we entered school, our teachers have already planted in our minds the concept of 3R's. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. And from then on, everyone has kept on repeating these words. It became so popular that it has been a universal knowledge for the longest time. But in those long years that have spanned, have we truly put these into action? Pretty basic words, and yet they're the toughest to implement.

What do they really mean? Reuse of course means that you do not throw right away something that can still be used. If you can reuse something 10 times, for example a plastic bag, then that means you decreased exactly 10 bags that could have made their way to our landfills, or more commonly, to our drainage systems. But eventually, after a substantial amount of reusing, this single plastic still makes its way to landfills. Never the less, Reusing serves its purpose on reducing waste production. Now let's look at Recycling. Its far different from reusing because the material that should have been thrown is reprocessed to make a new one. Examples of these are paper made packages. Compared to plastics which degrade after ~80 million years, and polystyrene packaging which neither degrade at all nor can be advised to be reused, these biodegradable materials provide the best temporary alternative. Why did I say temporary? This is because it still isn't the best solution. With recycling, we still continuously consume and produce waste products. They still accumulate and still rely on the process of degradation. Furthermore, these still make use of natural resources. Now lets look at Reduction, by mere definition, it already targets consumption and production. This is why it is the ideal solution. No consumption, no waste production. For example, you make it a point that you dine in than take-out your food, that is reduction, you did not consume any type of packaging nor produced one.

Well, currently, only a few are able to practice any of these. Which means that most of us end up contributing to garbage being dumped in already overflowing landfills, which eventually necessitates us to search for another landfill. And the cycle goes on. The most common things you'll find are the famous polystyrene (styro) food packages, plastic cups, styro cups, pet bottles. And these are what most of us hold everyday, every break-time, all brand new, waiting to join yesterday's package.

If one will take time to observe what is actually happening, the number of fast foods proliferating everywhere, the side by side convenience stores, the number of schools catering to canteens and franchised stalls, malls filled with food chains, and every food stall that you can think of - all of them make use of disposable packages prepared specially for the busiest person on earth. These then, particularly polystyrene packages wrapped snugly in a plastic bag - both of which being non-biodegradable, are handed over the counter, every hour, every minute and every second at a very fast rate. And yet, no one seems to mind. Let's ask ourselves - what has been causing us calamities for the longest time? What has been worsening the effects of typhoons and even the simplest rainfall? Do we still really need to ask these?

The common dilemma that I see, is that not everyone actually knows what CAN be done. That everyone can actually do something to help. Go look for environmentalist articles and probably what you'll see are the existing problems and of course a call to action. Go visit eco-centered websites and you'll find a list of steps, but some are vague and some are not actually applicable to everyone.

If I can recall correctly, it was my elementary teacher who taught me the simplest step on helping the environment. That is to pick up every trash that I see, and put it in the correct trash bin. Maybe it would be good if all us can return to elementary and start practicing AGAIN the simplest acts they have long taught us.

For most of us who now live busy lives, keeping up with the hustle and bustle, we may not actually find the time to pick up that candy wrapper we just stepped at. But there are simple but meaningful actions that we can insert into our daily routines. For example, not everyone actually knows that by simply bringing your own lunch box, you already reduce 3 of the polystyrene packages accumulating everyday in trash bins. Not everyone knows that by simply refusing plastic bags, because one can hold by hand what he/she bought, already decreases the risk of clogged drainage systems. Not everyone knows that by merely bringing your own cloth bag in the market, you already reduce 2-6 plastic bags blocking canals or waiting to be dumped in landfills. Not everyone knows that by bringing your own water bottle saves 4 PET bottles from joining those in the trash can or those that are already floating somwehere else. Not everyone knows that by simply bringing these three basic weapons, you already create a big impact in saving earth.

Sounds too cliche, but it is what it is. You are in fact doing it so you and everyone else can still live in this lonely planet. One may find it futile to do, maybe because, not everyone is as inspiring to make a change, but if you do understand the reason why we should start changing, why people should start acting, and that in fact a lot of people are willing to help too, then by all means spread the virus. Enlighten your seatmate, officemate and everyone you can think of. Tell them that simple acts amplified will create a big impact.

Visit these links to start making a change.

At Home

Office/School

SM goes green… holds first ever “Green Film Festival” in RP

2009-10-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

The first ever “Green Film Festival” in the Philippines will be held in the big cinemas of SM North Edsa, SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. SM launched the “green film festival” last September 30 and subsequently screened films at the SM North Edsa cinema. Unfortunately, screening schedules cancelled in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia due typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

The Green Film Festival, an international festival staged yearly in different countries worldwide, helps promote ideas of environmental protection and preservation for public awareness, especially the youth generation using the visual medium.

SM Supermalls, in partnership with Unico Entertainment, Solar UIP, Warner Brothers, Magnavision and SM Cinemas, will present the Green Film Festival which highlights environmental issues, climate change, scarcity of water, environmental decay and the need for people and nations to work together for a sustainable future.

The Green Film Festival will screen films at SM Megamall on October 14, and SM Mall of Asia at October 21, starting at 10 a.m., for free to students and the general public. Scheduled for screening are the films "Green Film Festival," "The 11th Hour," "Home," "An Inconvenient Truth," "March of the Penguins," "Planet Earth," "Abong" and "Ligtas Likas."

"The 11th Hour" is a 2007 feature film created, produced, and narrated by Leonardo di Caprio. Himself an environmental advocate, di Caprio shows in his film how we’ve arrived at the last moment when change is possible and what we can do to change our course.

"Home" is a travel notebook, showing landscapes captured from a bird’s eye view. The film calls for a new awareness, inviting viewers to stop for a moment to look at our planet and realize how we treat her treasures and her beauty.

"An Inconvenient Truth" is the ground breaking 2006 documentary film directed by David Guggenheim about former US Vice President Al Gore’s campaign to educate citizens about global warming and inspiring them to take action. The film chronicles Gore’s travels as his crisscrosses the globe presenting a comprehensive slide show on climate change, by his own estimate, he’s given more than a thousand times.

"March of the Penguins" or "La Marche de l’empereur" is a French nature documentary depicting the yearly journey of the emperor penguins on Antractica. Megastar Sharon Cuneta narrates the Tagalog version, "Penguin, Penguin, Paano Ka Ginawa?"

"Planet Earth" is an 11-part series that will amaze viewers with never before seen footages of animal behavior, starling views of locations captured by cameras for the first time, in unprecedented high definition techniques.

"Abong," which means small home in some mountain tribes, is an epitome of our world as it is besieged by natural and human influences, poverty and affluence, mercy and intolerance. While gently depicting the bonds of a Japanese-Filipino family – the plentiful life of their Igorot tradition contiguous with the nature and loneliness they face in the city – the movie splendidly constructs an allegorical world of satire.

"Ligtas Likas," an animated feature produced by Creative Media and the Film Society of the Philippines is a 25-minute feature film written by Imee Marcos, Peter Mayshle, and Ann Angala Shy. It is a collaboration of CreaM and Sen. Loren Legarda, author of the Ecological Waste Management Act. The film aims to motivate children to practice recycling and proper waste management through the story of a young girl Maya and her friends Bobot the compact-robot, and Tatang, the nature worshipper. Together they fight the enemies of the environment, and ultimately preserve the rainforest and protect the ocean against pollution.

SM Prime Holdings is supported by the French Embassy, the Japan Foundation, Nokia, and SM cinemas in this undertaking. Viewers are encouraged to bring old and used mobile phones as well as old phone chargers or used accessories to be dropped at the Nokia recycling bins to be located at the cinema area. The event will also highlight exhibits and information drives about ecological conservation from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

Climate Change Conference - Philippine Setting

2009-10-06T01:27:00.001-07:00

It is high time that people start addressing our current climate status concerns. This October 22-23, 2009, the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences will hold the UP Manila Global Climate Change Conference with the theme “The Science and Social Impact of Global Climate Change – A Philippine Setting.” Having just experienced a long week of ravaging typhoons, the timing of this conference couldn’t be any better.

With the probability of climate change now gaining acceptance in scientific circles, this conference reveals prevailing issues about climate initiatives, appropriate actions, and international agreements. These include issues that affect nations like ours—low contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG)—which ironically bear the brunt of the environmental repercussions of large GHG-emitting countries.

The conference has three main objectives: first, to assess the impact of climate change in the Philippine setting; second, to assess current actions of various sectors to address climate change; and third, to identify how sectors such as agriculture, fishery, and energy can be made sustainable under the given phenomenon.

The conference includes eight plenary sessions. On October 22, the [1] science of climate change, its impact on [2] society and [3] health, and [4] current Philippine researches will be discussed. On October 23, [5] green accounting, [6] sustainable production and consumption, [7] local and international climate change policy, and [8] green courts including advocacy will be discussed.

Targeted participants are faculty members teaching in related disciplines, researchers, government agencies, business and industry groups, energy-related businesses, climate and environment-related advocacy groups, and graduate students in the related fields.

Needless to say, they are not only ones who ought to be concerned, informed, and empowered. We all have witnessed the gravity of the recent climate disturbances. We have repeatedly experienced how difficult it is to rehabilitate, recover, and restore what has been lost – and we aren’t just talking about the material things here.

Initiatives to control the worsening climate conditions are in place, yet the critical problem of individualized and divided efforts persistently brings these down.

Let us not be passive observers and passers-by in this environmental train wreck right under our noses. This is OUR universal problem. Let us all participate in solving this global problem and it all starts with listening, learning, and knowing.

For more information, visit the UP Manila Global Climate Change Conference page at www.upm.edu.ph/climatechange.

Ondoy, Pepeng, and Climate Change

2009-10-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

Students in Metro Manila had an early vacation due to floods and destruction brought by Typhoon Ondoy. A week-long suspension from classes was declared to facilitate recuperation of affected communities, notably Pasig City, Provident Village in Marikina, and Cainta, Rizal. These are but a few of the most severely affected, with floodwaters carrying mud and debris, submerging houses, halting cars, and sweeping away once-warm bodies. Without warning, properties were lost and innocent lives were taken away.

Ondoy (international code name ‘Ketsana’), the 15th cyclone entering from the Pacific Ocean, had maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts reaching 100 kph. The typhoon collided with the eastern part of Luzon at around 11:00 am last September 27 (PAGASA). According to chief government weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz, rainfall amounting to about 34.1 centimeters was cast by Ondoy on Metro Manila in a span of just six hours. This was close to the 39.2-centimeter average for the entire month of September, and it even surpassed the previous 24-hour record of 33.4 centimeters set in June 1967.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), stated that this was the worst flooding in the national capital in over 20 years. According to the NDCC Report #21 dated October 4, 2009, 26 regions including Metro Manila were declared in the state of calamity, affecting a total of 3,899,307 people nationwide. Until the present, some areas in these regions are still submerged and inaccessible, with 65 000 families occupying 505 evacuation centers. Among these, 12,399 families are now homeless. Aside from damages and property losses amounting to more than Php 8 Billion, Ondoy left a total of 335 casualties (288 dead, 5 injured, 42 still missing). Land, air, and water transportation and communication were hampered. Roads became rivers, cars became boats, roofs became rafts, and the surge of trash floating in the floods became sorry companions in a scene of desolation that seemed to be taken straight out of an end-of-days movie.

Pepeng (international code name ‘Parma’) on the other hand, while deviating from its original Manila-bound path, still affected our fellow Filipinos in the southern and northern parts of Luzon. Pepeng, initially classified as a class five (5) typhoon to join the ranks of Hurricane Katrina, affected 189,510 people in 603 barangays in six (6) regions. About 14,790 families are still in 316 evacuation centers. Sixteen died from the calamity, 10 of whom suffered suffocation secondary to landslides. Typhoon Pepeng destroyed around 22,669 metric tons of paddy rice (palay) mostly from Isabela, Cordillera, and Cagayan Region, according to the Department of Agriculture.

All in all, the damage in infrastructure and agriculture caused by these two successive typhoons amount to Php 8.8 Billion. Even worse is the death toll of 300 and the thousands of homes destroyed. The clogged drainage caused by polystyrene containers, plastics, and other debris, impede rehabilitation efforts despite the succeeding improvement in weather.

These calamities did not happen by chance or ill luck. We are well aware that our planet is exponentially heating up from the increased green house gas emissions. Improper waste disposal and illegal logging also contribute to global warming. Global warming causes fluctuations in the normal flow of wind thus causing catastrophic cyclones. These cyclones bring floods, which are aggravated by illegal logging and improper waste disposal.

It is a vicious cycle of disaster, with humanity at the beginning and end. We, then, hold the key to its resolution. With calamities closing in on us from every side, the time is now for proactive environmentalism and a safe and healthy planet.

Green Acts at Home

2009-10-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

How can we live green at home? Here are some simple things I do to protect the environment while at home.

I unplug unused appliances to lessen energy consumption.
I use energy efficient light bulbs.
I go out to minimize my electric consumption at home.
I conserve water by turning it off while I brush my teeth and wash my face.
I take short showers to conserve water.
I use a basin when washing the dishes.
I open the windows, instead of turning the fan/aircon on.
I don't leave my laptop open overnight.
I unplug the fan, aircon, TV, before I leave the house,
I unplug my computer when not in use.
I always unplug my mobile phone charger after use.
I turn off and unplug desk lamps after studying.
I do not forget to turn off my internet router when going out of the house.
I double check the lights, faucets, and plugs when I go out.
I turn off the printer when not in use.
I use an electric fan or an air cooler rather than an air conditioner to save up on my electric bill.
I gather old newspapers at home, and sell it to recyclers.
I reuse resealable plastic bags.
I do not throw away empty glass and plastic bottles, instead, I collect them and give it to recyclers.
I refill my ink cartridge rather than buying a new one.

All these small efforts could make a big difference if we act together. Live green and make a difference!

Green Acts at School/Office

2009-10-05T11:42:00.001-07:00

Concrete steps I do, the same way you can to start living green right in your office!

I make my own notebook out of used paper.
I drink from a tumbler, not from a plastic cup.
I prefer to dine in than to eat on a polystyrene container.
I bring my water tumbler, so that i would not buy bottled water.
I walk more and leave my car at home.
I do not use straws for drinking.
I reuse old notebooks.
I bring my own food container for take out meals.
I throw my trash in the proper place.
I bring a coffee tumbler, or a mug for my coffee.
I always bring a recyclable bag just in case.
I try to avoid bringing my car to school/work, I walk or commute instead.

Together we can make a change. Everyone can do something, even the littlest thing when done collectively, will create a great impact.

National News

2009-10-05T11:33:00.001-07:00

Ondoy, Pepeng, and Climate Change

School Events

2009-10-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

UP Manila Global Climate Change Conference - Philippine Setting

Specific Objectives:

2009-10-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

1. Advocate for environmentalism and increase awareness.

A. Release publicity materials to educate and increase the awareness of the university population. Influence through information dissemination using various media i.e. video presentations, posters and websites.

B. Organize events and symposia to enlighten and motivate the community regarding our worsening environmental status.

C. Influence by providing concrete steps and encouraging collective action.

2. Advance and implement the practice of reducing, reusing and recycling by providing concrete steps to follow.

A. Eliminate polystyrene products inside the campus (exhibit materials and food/beverage containers).

i. Advocate the daily bringing and use of reusable containers (mess kits, tumblers, etc.) instead of availing of polystyrene/plastic packaging.

ii. Advocate a dine-in alternative to discourage taking out of meals to minimize wastes from packaging.

iii. Educate and discourage students from availing of polystyrene and plastic products during food sales. Emphasize the purpose and benefits of bringing reusable containers.

iv. Discourage student organizations from buying and using polystyrene boards for exhibits or displays. Provide alternative options especially the use of recycled and reusable materials.

B. Reduce the consumption of plastic bags/products.

i. Advocate the use of bags instead of plastic as container for groceries, laundry, transcriptions, etc.

ii. Discourage availing of plastic bags when taking out food as well as the use of plastic products i.e. straws, cups, cup covers.

iii. Provide ways and means to reuse plastic bags, containers and other forms.

Examples:
Reusing of transcription plastic bags
Label plastic bag to be reused for next set of transcriptions
Discourage use of food plastic containers of convenience stores
Alternative options: reusable containers

iv. Collect plastic waste products and sell (PET bottles, cup covers, cups, containers etc.)

v. Collect unused tarpaulins from all student formations and school departments to be donated to tarp bag manufacturers.

3. Implement policies against the use of polystyrene and plastic products

A. Ban the use of polystyrene within the campus.

i. Coordinate with the ODSA and SRO.

ii. Inform school concessionaires, canteens and consumers about the environmental cost and consequences of these products (to facilitate easier implementation of policy).

iii. Restrict food stalls using polystyrene packages from school premises.

iv. Restrict organizations from using polystyrene materials for exhibits and displays.

B. Have university-wide policies over plastic product consumption and tarpaulin use.

i. Raise the issue against proliferation of Polyethylene (PET) bottles.
Provide alternatives i.e. soft-drinks packaged

ii. Reduce and standardize amount/number of tarpaulins produced by student organizations, classes and departments.

iii. Coordinate with (all OSA departments of UP Manila) in collection of unused/unclaimed tarpaulins.

4. Launch proper management and segregation of wastes within the campus.

A. Provide additional trash bins with an expanded classification for effective segregation.

i. Non-biodegradable (wrappers, foil, plastic cups, straws, plastic utensils)

ii. Biodegradable (Food, fruit peeling, paper cups/containers)

iii. Recyclables (PET bottles, Newspapers, Tarpaulins, cans)

B. Help garbage collectors in the effective implementation of “No Segregation, No collection” campaign.

C. Monitor the amount and composition of waste produced by the University.

Vision-Mission

2009-10-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Vision:

UP Manila will be an environment-friendly campus. Its united community of informed and proactive scholars will be empowered by innovative and concrete policies for a clean and green environment.

Mission:

a. Advocate for environmentalism and increase awareness among students, faculty, administration and personnel regarding environmental concerns.

b. Advance and implement the practice of reducing, reusing and recycling of resources.

c. Implement environmental policies inside the campus.

d. Implement proper waste segregation and management within the campus.