Friday, February 16, 2007 Peña: Common Ground By Rox Peña E-ssue
"FOR so long, we have focused on issues that divide us. Earth Day is our Common Ground. Rather than squander precious energy on matters that divide and exclude, let us connect, unite, integrate, and create positive change in all our communities."
These statements are part of the Call to Action speech of Environment Secretary Angelo T. Reyes on February 8, in preparation for Earth Day 2007.
This April 22, the Philippines will join 174 countries, 12,000 organizations, and more than half a billion people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities in simultaneously celebrating Earth Day around the Globe. Our NGO group, the Zero Waste recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation Inc., holds its annual general assembly during this day.
Secretary Reyes is right. We may belong to different race and religion and differ in opinions and beliefs, but the fact remains that we are all inhabitants of this planet Earth, and saving it should be our common goal. We are all in the same airplane. If it breaks down in mid air and plunge into the ground, we would all die.
The urgent call for a united effort to save Earth was even more highlighted with the release of the IPCC's fourth assessment report on global warming. The executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Mr. Yvo de Boer, called for a speedy and decisive international action to combat the phenomenon.
"The findings, which governments have agreed upon, leaves no doubt as to the dangers mankind is facing and must be acted upon without delay," de Boer said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo immediately responded to this call by forming a task force that will prepare an action plan to address the country's concerns about the effects of global warming.
Reyes will lead the task force, which will include the energy and science and technology departments.
To us ordinary citizens, global warming and climate change are too abstract to be understood. It's been several years now since the government and NGOs started the massive education campaign on solid waste management, yet the awareness of people even on the most basic issue of waste segregation is still low.
And so, without focusing too much on the intricacies of climate change, let us respond to the call of avoiding global warming by doing these simple things:
* Reduce, Reuse and Recycle -- by properly managing our solid waste, we use less energy to produce goods, which in turn reduces the emission of carbon dioxide.
* Drive Less -- vehicle emission is a major source of greenhouse gas. Whenever possible, reduce the use of vehicles. Use public transport, bike or walk for short distances, form a carpool with your friends and office mates.
* Drive Wisely -- make sure that your vehicle is in good condition. Proper driving reduces gasoline consumption.
* Buy energy Efficient Appliances, Electrical and Electronic Equipment -- from light bulbs to refrigerators, energy efficient gadgets are now available in the market.
* Save electricity -- less electricity means less use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, and consequently less emission of greenhouse gases.
* Plant trees -- We all know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and gives off oxygen. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
For Mabalacat, I urge my fellow Mabalaqueños to plant balacat trees. Our foundation and the DENR Region 3 office are now preparing balacat seedlings for our tree-planting project.
Finally, let's encourage others to do the same. Share the above information with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials, and aspiring politicians to establish pro-environment policies and programs.
