Still Waters
mavila@theguidon.com
Amidst continuing inflation, selfish politics, and horrifying local crimes, environmental issues are often overlooked in our country.
Even the simplest things, like segregating trash into biodegradable and non-biodegradable are insignificant for some. Once, I saw a janitor open both trash bins and place their contents in the same trash bag. Clearly, the man did not know or care about what happens when one mixes the two kinds of garbage.
Fortunately, groups like the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition (AEMC) and Winrock International still care enough to do something about the current state of the environment.
The AEMC is a newly-formed group in the Loyola Schools which aims to solve various environmental problems in the Ateneo. One of their studies, entitled “Waste to resource conversion in Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University,” won the ASEAN DuPont Green Vision Challenge on July 2. Their project on constructing accurate baseline data on the LS waste profile is an entry for the ASEAN Green Vision Sustainability forum at Singapore Management University.
Winrock International is a non-profit organization which took part in “Renew Negros,” a poverty reduction project which promotes the use of renewable energy in rural communities in the province. Renew Negros commissioned the use of a 32 kilowatt micro-hydro power plant which taps the Dalinson River and provided energy to the town of Toboso in Negros Occidental.
While both projects operate on seemingly small, local scales, they make a major difference. If the AEMC’s proposed policies are set into motion, solid waste in the Loyola Schools will significantly lessen. As for Renew Negros, the renewable energy brought about by their micro-hydro power plants has alleviated the problem of constant power outages in the town and has capitalized on the numerous water sources surrounding the area.
If these are the effects that these local projects bring about, just imagine what it would be like if everyone in the country contributed something for the environment. It’s not like there are very few opportunities around us – it is a matter of being proactive and taking the chance to help out.
Come to think of it, the Philippines has so much potential for sustainable development. With our 7,100 islands, we have a large capacity for geothermal and hydroelectric energy. Through thorough research and implementation, we can easily power our homes with renewable energy. Who knows, if we use these sources instead, perhaps we can avoid using expensive fossil fuels altogether.
Unfortunately, there is a tendency to set aside environmental issues for political or economic problems in the country. Notice that most people complain about how corrupt the government is, or about how expensive commodities are, but rarely do you hear complaints about how damaged the environment is.
But the truth is, the environment is just as important as the economy and the government. Its about time that groups like AEMC and Winrock International step up and make people take notice. We need to realize that the environment is essential to our lives. Break it, and you don’t get it back.
Lourdes Sumpaico, consultant for special projects of the Office of the Vice President and member of the AEMC, said it best: “We are all stewards of our earth. And, there’s also one earth that we should care for.”
