DENR-Bicol kicks off Earth Day celebration

(Source: http://www.positivenewsmedia.net)

LEGAZPI CITY — Colorful activities participated in by numerous stakeholders, ordinary citizens and local government representatives mark the observance of Earth Day here from March 26 to April 22 to be spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“This is a nationwide event but Bicol region is actively supporting the occasion as delegates from the southern parts of the country will traverse several provinces here along the Maharlika Highway,” Fred Araya of DENR-Bicol said, quoting newly installed regional executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada.

Focusing on water, hence the theme “Tubig ay Buhay-Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin,” the caravan in Bicol will start from Matnog, Sorsogon on April 1 following the arrival of the delegation from Region VIII which will be met by DENR 5 officials led by Fragada.

Fragada said that after welcoming the Region VIII delegation, the caravan will proceed to Sorsogon City for the following activities: Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign, Information and Education campaign on Wildlife Conservation Protection to be hosted by Sorsogon Governor Sally Lee to introduce deputized Wildlife Conservation Officers, and signing of memorandum of agreement on Adopt-a-mojon program.

On April 2, the said caravan travels to Pili in Camarines Sur where the following will be held at the Provincial Capitol Complex Compound: Brief Presentation of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBBWMP), MOA signing on the Libmanan-Pulantuna Watershed Management Council (WMC) to be hosted by Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte.

The caravan will pass along major thoroughfares in Naga City from 12 noon to 1 p.m. of the same day, then travel to Daet, Camarines Norte at 3 p.m., MOA signing on Watershed Management Council, and Bike for the Environment will be held at the Provincial Capitol Ground in Daet town.

On the last day (April 3) of the Bicol leg of the people’s caravan, the itinerary includes travel to Lucena City (5-7 a.m.), converge with DENR region 4-A at Calauag Quezon at 7:30 to 10 a.m., stopover at SM Lucena for the turnover of land documents from DENR Region 4-A to DENR 5 at 10 – 10:30 a.m. and travel to National Capital Region with stopover at SM Mall of Asia.

Fragada said other people’s caravan activities include Handog Titulo, People’s Day, motorcade and roadside tree planting (with Motortrade as partner) media interaction, signing of “Pangako sa Inang Kalikasan,” and information campaign against illegal logging in Catanduanes.

The people’s caravan delegation from the different regions will converge at San Fernando, Pampanga the following day (April 4).

Specific activities for the Earth Day celebration on April 22 in the Bicol region will be announced later, Fragada said.

The first Earth Day was held in 1970, marking a milestone in history where environmentalism took center stage and was translated into concrete action as a chance for people around the world to celebrate the planet and their responsibility toward it.
Locally, Earth Day celebration started in 1990 after then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 553 on April 16, 1990, mandating April 22 every year as Earth Day in the Philippines. (PNA)

Global Warming and Environmental Politics

Written by MR. RENNE GUMBA
Executive Director, Institute of Politics
Ateneo de Naga University

Reaction to Papers presented in the Ateneo de Naga University
ON THE “SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF GLOBAL WARMING” by Dr. Lina Regis
AND THE “CRITIQUE ON THE ‘GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE’” by Ms. Joanaviva Caceres
————————————————————————————
The typical quip “It doesn’t affect us, why bother?” used to be the standard reply among ordinary citizens when asked for opinions about environmental issues. Nowadays however, the experience is real and the effect is widely felt. Fish kill, abnormal weather (including halestorm in Baguio City!), excessively high temperature, frequent flooding, etc. are just some of the phenomenon affecting everyone. Thus, it is indeed timely to reflect on the environmental issues confronting us and discern possible actions that we can immediately pursue.

But global warming as an environmental issue is almost becoming as controversial as the presidency of PGMA. May I outline some of the “political” considerations involved:

1. methodological issues divide scientists thus, findings and recommendations in this area is continually challenged: how accurate are the models in representing realities, are the causes anthropocentric or simply geophysical phenomenon

2. the state of the art may be summarized along the following lines (quoting EPA):

•Human activities are changing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere since pre-industrial times are well-documented and understood.
•The atmospheric buildup of CO2 and other greenhouse gases is largely the result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
•An “unequivocal” warming trend of about 1.0 to 1.7°F occurred from 1906-2005. Warming occurred in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and over the oceans (IPCC, 2007).
•The major greenhouse gases emitted by human activities remain in the atmosphere for periods ranging from decades to centuries. It is therefore virtually certain that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will continue to rise over the next few decades.
•Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations tend to warm the planet.

3. As a political issue, social movements and even political parties are born around global warming: (1)advocates calling for policy reforms and behavior modifications, (2)“cooler heads coalition” focusing on the flaws of doomsday scenario, (3)east-west divide being highlighted: who caused it, who suffers, who will act

4. Thus, this environmental issue takes on a very political dimension (politics referring to any social configuration that involves the struggle for and exercise of power):
•whose findings and perceptions will prevail
•whose recommendations and actions get implemented

5. But to my mind, the bottom-line is about the knowledge and truth that we gain, the actions that we pursue with this knowledge, and the learning that we derive from the experience. Politics is the tool for getting these.

6. Politically therefore, the action points in the international arena will be multi-layered and necessitating several policy interventions within and among the governments of the world. But in our level, much can be done already: (1)reduce, reuse, recycle (2)estimate climate impact of university, (3)get involved!

7. The two-fold fundamental politics in environmental issue: (1)power must be given to the people (knowledge and action being democratized instead of a few countries, agencies, and individuals only) ; (2)scientific studies, findings, and recommendations must be subjected to the most rigid discourse aimed towards truth and accuracy.

Just One Hour

By Trystan L. Bass

What difference can an hour make? You’d be surprised — when 2.2 million residents and 2,100 businesses in Sydney, Australia, all turned off their lights for an hour in 2007, they reduced energy use by 10.2% that day. That’s equivalent to taking 48,000 cars off the road.

Just by turning off the lights for 60 minutes. It was the first Earth Hour, sponsored by several Australians and the World Wildlife Fund.

This year, they’ve taken the idea global, and Earth Hour will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29, 2008, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., with more than 20 cities officially participating.

More important than just the energy saved is the idea that one person’s actions really do have an affect on global warming. The little things add up when we’re all involved. Conserving resources, lowering pollution — each of us can make an impact by doing things as basic as turning off a light.

To encourage individuals to get involved, many world landmarks are joining the Sydney Opera House in shutting off non-essential lights on Saturday. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge will go dark. The Sears Tower in Chicago, plus both Wrigley Field and Soldier Field will dim. Toronto’s CN Tower will go dark, and even Niagara Falls won’t be lit up during Earth Hour. The Coca Cola headquarters in Atlanta is turning off the lights. And in the Philippines, the world’s third largest mall is flicking the switch.

Your city doesn’t have to be going totally dark for you to join in. Sign up at the Earth Hour site so organizers have an idea of how many people are involved. Tell your friends and neighbors.

Then simply turn off lights in your home from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday night. Enjoy the dark, or break out your beeswax or soy candles and have a romantic dinner with someone special. Play a board game by candlelight with the family. Take a walk with a friend or your dog. Soak in a bathtub with candles nearby.

Looking for more adult ways to enjoy the dark? Check out the Daily Green’s list of eight sexy ways to spend Earth Hour. Earth 911 even offers lights-out fashion tips, such as glow-in-the-dark gear and shiny bling.

CIRCA: Albay’s Answer to Climate Change

By Alvin Ybañez

If you are to search for countries that address climate change issues seriously, chances are that the nations that will top the list is that of North American, European and several Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan. True enough, it is these industrialized countries that lead the efforts in combating global warming and providing measures in coping with the onset of climate change.

However, developing countries have also begun to address the issues of climate change. One fine example of this is the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) by the Philippines. Located in the idyllic province of Albay, CIRCA is a living research institution whose aim is to strengthen the capacity for research as well as for project and program implementation in progressive sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, and eco-cultural tourism.

“CIRCA is the first of its kind not only in the country but also in the Southeast Asian Region to deal with climate change adaptation”, Nong Rangasa, Executive Director of CIRCA, said.

Originally a concept and brainchild of the popularly dubbed “Green Economist” Albay Provincial Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, CIRCA now boasts as one of the leading authorities when it comes to climate change in the region, with comprehensive ties to other local government units and educational institutions such as Bicol University, Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region V, and the Albay in Action on Climate Change of the Provincial Government of Albay. CIRCA was also prominently involved during the Bali Conference on Adaptation to Climate Change held on Bali Indonesia last February 13, 2008.

For further details and inquiries, you can visit CIRCA’s office at first floor of the Albay Capitol Annex Building 2, Old Albay District, Legazpi City, and you can contact them telefax at (052) 4803649 or through e-mail at circa.albay@gmail.com. You can also vivit our site: CIRCA

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