Esperanza Garcia

Building a new life

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 01:07:00 +0000

After 2 years of the children being in the Philippines, and I flying back from the US almost every month, I arrive back in the Bay Area with my son last February expecting my husband to pick us up in the airport. Instead, his best friend picks us up. We arrive in the house that our family was going to start our lives in the US together again, and I see all my husband’s things gone. I learn from his best friend that he’s moved to LA. Soon after, Win’s daycare closes due to the lockdown and I had to juggle working full-time and caring for my son full-time. In March, my daughter arrives in the Bay Area as her classes in the Philippines transitions online. Her online school is at night. Months later, I had to make the decision to close my business due to COVID.

I’m slowly packing my house now, preparing for our move out of the Bay Area next month. I married and started building my business 7 years ago. Both my marriage and my business are now gone. 2020 has been a challenging year, for all of us. Although there were many times I felt extremely overwhelmed and just wanted to scream. I’m happy and feel so blessed, still. My kids are happy, they are safe and fed, we have a beautiful home still, I have my dad, family, and friends who have been our rock in the last few months. And I feel so privileged. Anyone who has the ability to have a choice is privileged and I still have a choice. A choice to move forward in life. I don’t yet know where I’ll be and or what I’ll be doing next. What I do know is life is good. I am grateful and I can’t wait to build a new life again.

🎄Wishing you a Green Christmas! 🎄

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 23:15:00 +0000

Dreaming of a Green Christmas!

A few years ago, I started a small coliving business. We have hosted over a 1,000 members and have planted hundreds of trees. Check out all the other sustainability initiatives that we have integrated into our community! I am thankful for our members and team for helping us make a difference however we can. Because of our guests, we have been able to plant a few hundred trees this year. 

We value making a social impact and our guests have helped us contribute in our own little way. We thank you for sharing your time with us this year and in helping us make a difference however we can. Check out some of the things we integrate into our community below.

We wish you a joyous, eco-friendly, holiday season! From our family to yours! 

🌲TREES 🌲The Gift That Keeps on Giving!

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 19:45:00 +0000

My family and I have been planting trees in my grandparents farm in Barili, Cebu, Philippines since 2009. During the holidays, I would bring my daughter, siblings, friends and family to plant these trees with me and gift these trees to friends & family during the holidays (Merry Christmas, I gift you a tree that you should plant yourself - you're welcome!😂).
Truck full of trees
Plant them trees little ones! #learningexperience #notchildlabor

Are we here to have a picnic or are we here to plant trees? Bulhot little ones. 

"Planting Trees"
With my Lola Esperanza Garcia (my namesake) and my daughter, Ela
Isn't my Lola the cutest? My little one as well

Another tree we planted the year before

My Dad and daughter checking out the tree we planted a few years before. Look at how much it's grown.
Look how big one of the first trees we've planted has grown!

"Posing for photos make the trees grow faster"

We haven't spent Christmas in the Philippines for many years. This year, however, we will be spending Christmas in Cebu again and after Christmas day, we will be going back to the farm to plant more trees! I'm excited to go back with my family. It becomes a great bonding experience.

My business has also made a donation to plant 300 trees this year with One Tree Planted  to represent every guest that has stayed with us this year.

Plant a free tree with my code by clicking on this link. They are great Christmas gifts!

Hello, Again, World

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:17:00 +0000

It’s been exactly 5 years since my last blog. I used to write about climate change activism and my journey in sustainability - but I since focused my life on building a family, my children, and building a small business. I felt as if I had nothing exciting to talk about. But I miss it! I miss sharing my thoughts and meanderings, I miss having a platform to express myself, I miss having a forum to discuss my passions and desires. I mentioned this recently to my best friend Nikki, and she said, “Just go for it! Who cares what everyone will read, just write for yourself.” And so here I am, again, world.

My name is Esperanza Garcia. I am a mother of two amazing children, a beautiful 14 year-old girl, Ela, and a cute little 3-year old, we call Win. I run a small coliving business in the Bay Area. Other than my family, I love ART, food and travel, and I’m passionate about making a difference and building a better world for my children. Where this life will lead me and what I plan to do next, I do not know just yet, but here’s my journey. Who knows how often I will write, maybe it will be in another month, hopefully not another 5 years, but this makes me feel good to have a place of my own to share my journey and life on.

This took me 2 minutes to write and publish - it wasn't that bad after all!

Grid Alternatives Solar Install

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:27:00 +0000

I spent a weekend volunteering to install solar panels on low-income housing with Grid Alternatives. The panels we have installed will provide the family with green power and will lower their electricity bills. This gives the family additional money in their pockets for things like food and clothes for their kids and savings for college.

By installing this 2-kW solar system in Saba Takleab's home were able to offset 64.32 tons of carbon, the equivalent of planting 1,512 trees. The solar panels will save the homeowners an estimated $20,842.00 over the system's lifetime.

GRID Alternatives is planning to have 1000 women on rooftops this year as part of a national effort to bring more women into the solar industry and also support women already working in the field. You can learn more about our Women in Solar Initiative at www.gridalternatives.org/women.

Jeff (left), Grid Alternatives team leader with Saba Takleab (right), homeowner

Honored to receive the Care2 Impact Award

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 05:11:00 +0000

Learned of Care2 when they wrote about my grandmother, Esperanza Garcia, in 2006. Last month at the Women in Green, I had the great honor to be awarded the Care 2 Impact award. Past honorees of the Care2 Impact award have been Hunter Lovins, Alexandra Cousteau, and Dr. Sylvia A. Earle.

When I had received a call last month from Care2 to inform me that they wanted to honor the Care2 Impact Award at Women in Green Forum to me. My immediate reaction was to tell Care2 that there were far more people who are more deserving than I, for this. In my speech I told their story. International Youth Council UN Major Group for Children and Youth International Youth Climate Movement Philippine Youth Climate Movement Climate Wise Women C-100- I honor this award to you.

In the article that Care2 had written of my grandmother, Esperanza Garcia, in 2006, my grandmother had said: "When I was a little girl I asked my father why they called me Esperanza. And he said that Esperanza means hope, and that when I was born I was the hope of the family. So when I grew up I started using my name for that: I hoped to become a lawyer, to get married to a good and loving husband and to have beautiful children. And then I hoped to help improving the quality of life of all Filipinos." She says in her Care2 interview. She dreamed and dreamed and worked hard to make her dreams reality. I hope to do the same.

CSR Press Release

Esperanza Garcia To Be Honored With Care2 Impact Award at 5th Annual Women In Green Forum

Submitted by:Care2

Posted:Aug 25, 2014 – 11:06 AM EST

Los Angelas, CA, Aug. 25 /CSRwire/ -

Esperanza Garcia To Be Honored With Care2 Impact Award at 5th Annual Women In Green Forum

August 22, 2014

Care2 will award the Care2 Impact Award to Esperanza Garcia August 26 at the 5th Annual Women in Green Forum. The Care2 Impact Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding impact in sustainability, human rights, animal welfare, women’s rights, and other issues that make the world a better place.

"Care2 has been changing the world advocating for socially responsible causes, empowering others to lead a sustainable lifestyles, and helping to solve the climate change challenge. Our youth have proven to be constructive partners in building a climate change movement and empowering others in leading sustainable lives. With our work in the International Youth Climate Movement, I have seen a generation with an increasingly strong sense of social and environmental awareness. We are encouraging sustainable lifestyles, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, creating national climate change educational programs and campaigns, and building adaptive capacity and resilience. Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today."

“We’re honored to present Esperanza Garcia with the Care2 Environmental Impact Award for her impact on climate change and sustainable development” said Randy Paynter, founder and president of Care2. “Ms. Garcia shows the power every individual has to make a difference, which we celebrate daily on Care2.com."

At the young age of 27, Garcia has already made a significant impact on sustainable development and climate change education by launching three successful organizations. She is co-founder of the International Youth Council, which has provided educational resources and leadership opportunities to thousands of young global leaders. She developed and managed the International Youth Council, assisting more than 10,000 young global leaders supporting sustainable development projects. Finally, she is founder of the Philippine Youth Climate Movement, which educated and mobilized over 50,000 students by raising climate change awareness and environmental activism in Philippine schools.

Garcia worked as a consultant for South-South News, where she collaborated with key diplomatic UN officials in project development and organized high-level events with heads of states, first ladies, ambassadors, and other key public and private managers. She organized the Youth Assembly at the UN, the South-South awards during the General Assembly, Conference of Youth during the UN Climate Change Conference.

Garcia holds a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture & Design with a focus on sustainable design from the Academy of Art University. She's also an alum of Columbia University's innovative Sustainability Management graduate program. Garcia has acquired and fine-tuned valuable training and skills in financial management, environmental science, quantitative analysis, research and public policy.

** About Care2 **

Care2 (www.Care2.com) is a community of 25 million standing together for good. A pioneer of online advocacy in 1998, Care2 petitions have helped individuals, animals and the environment at both the local and international levels. Care2 is a B Corporation, or social enterprise, using the power of business as a force for good.

** About The Women In Green Forum **

The Women In Green Forum, produced by Three Squares Inc., is the premier event for professionals from all aspects of the environmental industry to discuss the latest clean tech innovations, develop powerful professional networks, and build upon each other’s successes. The Forum is the largest international conference for women in environmental careers.

For more information on the Women in Green Forum and to view a complete agenda, please visit http://www.womeningreenforum.com.

For more information, please contact:

Marya Gomez Vice President, Products

Phone: 650-385-8850

For more from this organization:

Care2

Women in Green - Youth TrailBlazer

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 07:44:00 +0000

Women in Green was founded by Jaime Nack to highlight women's impact in environmental industry and encourage more women into the field. I'm incredibly honored to be recognized by Women in Green and Three Squares Inc. to receive the Youth Trailblazer Award this month. I don't think I've done enough to deserve recognition, there's still so much that needs to be done, and I always think that someone out there is more deserving.

In my early teen years, I once was, scared, insecure and questioned the impact I could make in this world. Once I pursued my goals and dreams despite being told not to continue my climate change pursuits, and excelled in my passions, it made me realize that anyone can make a difference. I hope to inspire more young people, especially, women, to fight for what they believe in.

Discovering, fuelling, and excelling in my passion has given me confidence and made me realize my potential in making a global impact in the the work that I have done with my friends and colleagues, we have mobilized youth from all over the world and played a part in inspiring global action.

Esperanza Garcia to Receive Youth Trailblazer Award at the 5th Annual Women In Green Forum

Esperanza Garcia, a UN delegate and globally renowned climate change leader, will be honored with the Women In Green Forum Youth Trailblazer Award for her international efforts to advocate young people’s engagement in environmental sustainability.

Women In Green Forum Youth Trailblazer Awardee, Esperanza Garcia

PRLog - Jul. 24, 2014 - The 5^th Annual Women in Green Forum, taking place August 26^th at the Luxe Sunset Blvd. Hotel in Los Angeles, is pleased to announce that Esperanza Garcia will be honored with the Women In Green Forum Youth Trailblazer Award. The Youth Trailblazer Award recognizes the contributions of a young leader who has made an outstanding impact in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, and human rights.

“Engaging with the youth of today, I have seen a generation with an increasingly strong sense of social and environmental awareness, one that is taking action,” said Garcia. “Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today.”

Just age 27, Garcia has already launched three successful organizations focusing on sustainable development and climate change education. She is Co-Founder of the International Youth Council, which has provided educational resources and leadership opportunities to thousands of young global leaders, Founding President of the Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development, and Founder of the Philippine Youth Climate Movement, which raises climate change awareness in Philippine schools to over 50,000 students.

In addition to spearheading these international development groups, Garcia served as a negotiator and official delegate of the Philippines at the UN Climate Change Conference. She has worked as a consultant for South-South News (SSN), the Philippine Senate, and the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, which organizes the Youth Assembly at the United Nations.

Garcia is currently focused on International Business Development at Sungevity, one of the world’s leading and fastest growing residential solar companies. In addition to this work, she is building the Renewable Energy Roadmap as a fellow of the Office of the President Philippine Climate Change Commission and Worldwatch Institute.

“We are thrilled that Esperanza Garcia will accept the Youth Trailblazer Award at the 5^th Annual Women In Green Forum,” said Jaime Nack, President of Three Squares Inc., the environmental consulting firm responsible for developing the conference. “The Women In Green Forum’s mission is to honor and celebrate environmental innovators like Ms. Garcia and inspire future generations toward careers in environmental sustainability.”

In addition to Garcia’s award acceptance, the Forum will offer a dynamic lineup of panels, skill-building workshops, and keynote presentations. Featured speakers range from Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin, who will discuss environmental stewardship at the neighborhood level, to Greta Eagan, a trendsetter in the world of eco fashion and beauty. The Forum will also feature a Wellness Lounge, showcasing the latest eco products and services, and a clean vehicle Ride and Drive, where attendees will have the opportunity to test drive vehicles including the Honda Fit EV and FCX Clarity.

**About The Women In Green Forum**

The Women In Green Forum, produced by Three Squares Inc., is the premier event for professionals from all aspects of the environmental industry to discuss the latest clean tech innovations, develop powerful professional networks, and build upon each other’s successes. The Forum is the largest international conference for women in environmental careers.

For more information on the Women in Green Forum and to view a complete agenda, please visithttp://www.womeningreenforum.com.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12352300/1

--- End ---

Worldwatch Insitute Blog: Designing a Sustainable Energy Roadmap for the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 18:41:00 +0000

MAR

Designing a Sustainable Energy Roadmap for the Philippines

Esperanza Garcia Revolt 2014-03-31

Climate change has been a constant reality for many Filipinos, with impacts ranging from extreme weather events to periodic droughts and food scarcity. The most affected populations are coastal residents and rural communities that lack proper disaster preparedness.

Tacloban City after Typhoon Haiyan.
Credit: The Guardian

According to the Center for Global Development, the Philippines is the world’s fourth most vulnerable country to the direct impacts of extreme weather events. Averaging20 tropical cyclones a year, it may be the world’s most storm-exposed nation. Last November, Supertyphoon Haiyan, the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded, claimed more than 10,000 lives, affected over 9 million people, and left over 600,000 Filipinos homeless. With both the oceans and the atmosphere warming, there is broad scientific consensus that typhoons are now increasing in strength.

Like most developing countries, the Philippines plays a minor role in global carbon emissions yet suffers an inordinately higher cost. With over a third of its population living in poverty, the country emits just 0.9 metric tons of carbon per capita, compared to the United States’ 17.6 metric tons. “We lose 5% of our economy every year to storms,” observes Philippine Climate Change Commissioner Naderev Sano. The reconstruction costs of Haiyan alone are estimated at $5.8 billion.

As the Philippines embarks on a long road to recovery, sustainability is key for post-Haiyan rebuilding. “We must build back better and more resilient communities,” says Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Philippines’ Senate Committee on Climate Change, who was named a Regional Champion by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. “We must prevent disasters and be prepared for the next natural hazards. This disaster also tells us about the urgent need to save and care for our environment.”

Bangui Wind Farm. Credit: Erik De Castro/Reuters

It is widely argued that taking early action against climate change through mitigation efforts outweigh the costs and economic impacts of inaction. In the Philippines, transitioning to a low-carbon economy has many challenges, but it also offers strong prospects for growth and development. The country has tremendous mitigation opportunities and is graced with significant renewable energy resources. According to the Philippine Department of Energy, renewable energy already provides 40 percent of the country’s primary energy requirements, and much of its potential has yet to be tapped.

To achieve an environmentally secure future, the Philippines must not only rebuild more sustainably but also create a sustainable pathway for future development. With one of the most progressive energy laws in Asia, the country has committed to a renewable energy target of 50 percent by 2030 under its Renewable Energy Act.

In 2013, the Office of the President’s Climate Change Commission (CCC), the primary executive office working on climate change, began a partnership with the Worldwatch Institute to lay groundwork for a Sustainable Energy Roadmap for the

Senator Heherson Alvarez from the Climate Change Commision meets with Esperanza Garcia to discuss creating a Philippinies Sustainable Energy Roadmap and communication project with Worldwatch.

Philippines, which aims to shift its electricity system to 100 percent renewable energy within a decade. The CCC also invited Worldwatch to help develop an education and outreach campaign on “communicating climate change” to boost environmental literacy and political support for addressing climate change within the country.

Worldwatch is already working on Sustainable Energy Roadmaps for the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Central America, and 15 CARICOM member states, and is eager to assist the Philippine government in building a sustainable pathway that addresses the country’s specific development goals. Many of the world’s developing countries have incredible potential to alleviate poverty through accelerated economic growth while also improving people’s quality of life through sustainable development. The Worldwatch-Philippines partnership aspires to move the country toward developing and deploying low-carbon technologies in order to achieve the deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions that are needed to mitigate future climate-related risks.

Featured on Financial Times "Investing in Young People" series

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:45:00 +0000

Young innovators promote charity and creativity

Profiles by Justin Cash

Investing in Young People http://t.co/NmEtWj2O
— FT Special Reports (@ftreports) January 24, 2013

Bohol Youth Convention 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:14:00 +0000

I have attended and organized many youth conventions. From the 30 Climate Hero Forums in the Philippines to the Youth Assembly at the UN HQ in NYC. This youth forum holds a special place in my heart. In these past few months, I have been watching Boholana beauty queen, Anna Maris Igpit move and inspire our country and the world through her efforts in leading Oplan Bangon Bohol. Inspired by Rappler's Social Good Summit in the Philippines, she wanted to go to her hometown and empower the young people in Bohol to become change makers by "providing them the right knowledge, information, understanding to shape role models in the communities and capacitate them to impact communities and contribute in Nation-Building in the country."Bohol was hit by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck last October, and was also impacted by the recent Typhoon Haiyan last December. Anna Igpit has been a strong force in rebuilding and rehabilitating her hometown and neighboring cities in the Philippines – and she wants the young generation of Bohol to move their city in the right direction!

She brought passionate, brilliant, driven, inspiring leaders together
together to inspire the young Boholanos: Rappler’s Maria Ressa, CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida, Jr., Nation-Builder, Alex Lacson Alex Lacson, and more.

BOHOL YOUTH CONVENTION 2014

Rebuilding Haiyan-hit Elementary School and Planting Trees with Family

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:42:00 +0000

Every year, since 2009, my family plants trees in our grandparents farm in Barili to celebrate the new year. Look how much they've grown!

This year, we also visited Malapascua, an island leveled out by Typhoon Haiyan. When I visited Malapascua to do relief work with friends from NYC a month after Haiyan had hit, we visited an elementary school which was destroyed by Haiyan. Two of six classrooms were destroyed, and most of the classrooms' roofing had holes. The North Guimbatayan elementary school was not receiving any help at the time- and children were not studying in the safest conditions. I came home and told my family. My family and I visited the school two days after Christmas. Inspired by Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope, we brought bundles of Joy for all the children in school. These eco-friendly bags had school supplies, crayons, notebooks, books, and hygiene kits. We also helped rebuild the school.

Helping others and making a difference are the best memories I will have with my family.

“For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever...”
Henry David Thoreau

NO, I will not be ashamed

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 17:59:00 +0000

I was recently featured in Financial Times, “Investing in young people” special. I received a response from someone that I trusted and personally know that enraged me.

“I wish you would stop the single mother deal. Those words were coined for the purpose of shaming people as a byproduct of law which was heavily influenced by outdated dogma… and I will not be reduced by it by honoring those terms.. A mother is a mother. Whether or not you were married is irrelevant to being a mother. Just like a child is a child and illegitimacy and bastardization is another irrelevant construct. It's a construct of societal shaming and categorizing. If you want to live the label, go ahead. Just never do it around me...." That person says.

NO, I will not accept society's standard in social shaming single unwed mothers. NO, I will not be ashamed. I take pride that I had my daughter, even at a young age. It shaped me to be a better person so I can I be one for her. There are too many young girls and women out there who are being told that they should be ashamed of this. I am not advocating for it, but it is a fact of life. Young, single, unwed pregnancy is an occurrence. Being told by society to be ashamed of this hurts their ego, their self-respect, their confidence, and ability to succeed in life. At a time when young women and girls need confidence and support most so that they can support their children, we are looked down and shunned away by society. For me, at the time that I became pregnant, my education was taken away from me and I was told by my university to stop going to school. NO! I will not be ashamed. My daughter made me who I am. I was once a selfish, shallow, unmotivated, rebellious girl. Having my daughter was a turning point in my life. From going through all the pain of a single unwed pregnancy and being kicked out of school because I was pregnant -- it has made me empathize with people undergoing painful circumstances. It gave me the ability to fight for myself and confidence to show myself that had the ability to make a difference and that I deserved an education. I continued on with life fighting for what I deserved. Discovering, fuelling, and excelling in my passion has given me confidence and made me realize my potential in making a global impact in the the work that I have done, I have mobilized youth from all over the world and played a part in inspiring global action. For having my little girl in this world, I became concerned about her future and her generations well-being. I am passionate about climate change, working and advocating youth leadership, and building a sustainable world because I need to remain confident that we are giving a brighter future to our children and future generations. My parents are supporting my daughter and I, and because of their support, I was able to lead in my passion and all that I stand for. NO! I will not be ashamed to be proud of what made me who I am.

Young women who are in my position need to stand up. We need to stand up for all the young single unwed mothers out there who are constantly being told that they should be ashamed. Our children are our inspiration, our pride, and joy. For those of you who are in my position, you should never tolerate anyone telling you that you should be ashamed of that when you are building a life for your children.

For my daughter, it took a village to raise her. She is the best side of all of us, and definitely the better version of me. Though we did not live a traditional upbringing, she is perfect in every way possible – and I would not trade what we have for the world.

Haiyan bringing families together

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 18:54:00 +0000

Paolo Garcia and team rebuilding Haiyan-damaged homes in Ormoc with tarpaulins

Photo: Christina Garcia-Frasco

I am proud of my mother, Isabel Alega Garcia, who rallied her friends and family immediately after Haiyan after had hit to provide tarps for families who have lost their roofs and homes. So far, she has been able to provide 400 families with tarps to shelter their homes in Ormoc. She had dreamed to raise enough to shelter 1,000 families, but is now ordering an additional 1,500 tarps from friends' donations for families in Samar, Calbayog, and Palawan. I am equally proud of my siblings who have joined my mother in her effort as well.

I am proud of my 8-year old daughter, Laela Eliana Garcia, who had given most of her life savings to provide shelter for two families. She inspires me, constantly. She shows others that a little does go a long way.

I am proud of my cousins, Paolo Garcia and Christina Garcia Frasco who have been on the ground distributing tarps, food, water, medicine, and immediate needs to Haiyan survivors in Ormoc and neighboring areas.

I have grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many other cousins who are on the ground helping Filipinos rebuild their lives. I feel extremely blessed to be in a family who have big hearts and have been tirelessly dedicating what they can to help others in need at this critical time.

My first Huffington Post article: The World Cries With the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 23:22:00 +0000

Esperanza Garcia

Graduate of Columbia University's Sustainability Management Program

GET UPDATES FROM ESPERANZA GARCIA

The World Cries With the Philippines

Posted: 11/14/2013 2:36 pm

Philippines, Bundles Of Joy, Cebu, Haiyan, Haiyan Philippines, Millennial Impact, Millennials, Typhoon Haiyan, The Philippines, Typhoon, Typhoon Haiyan, Impact News

112

I was born and raised in Cebu, one of the regions that have been hit by Typhoon Haiyan. My heart has been aching since I've heard that my country was going to be hit by Haiyan and when I heard of casualties in Tacloban, with a government official reporting of 10,000 people to have died in that region alone, it was what triggered me to break down and cry. I couldn't stop my tears. As I was reading my Facebook newsfeed and receiving calls and texts from friends and family, it showed me that the rest of the world was crying for my country too.

Typhoon Haiyan is known as the most intense tropical cyclone recorded in history and the strongest to have ever hit land. It's impact has affected nine million people, leaving over 600,000 homeless, many others going without food and clean water for days, and children getting sick, without the medicine to alleviate their sickness. The death toll is rising by the minute, the power lines are down -- and could be down for months, and the roads are impassable. It's a desperate situation. With a population of over 85 million, spread over 7,100 islands, it is very difficult to get aid to the Central region which have been impacted most. Our friends on the ground distributing the relief goods are reporting back to us on the urgency of getting the relief goods out to the survivors and that the ones they are distributing doesn't match the needs. It's a desperate situation.

The damage of Haiyan is yet unknown. What we do know is that Haiyan got so strong due to the warming ocean temperatures. "We are putting 90 million tons of global warming pollution into the atmosphere everyday -- equivalent to 400,000 hiroshima atomic bombs going off every 24 hours," Al Gore explains in an interview. "Tropical cyclones are basically giant heat engines," weather expert Brian Mcnoldy describes. The accumulated climate change pollution caused by human activities traps extra heat and as the oceans warm with climate change, there is extra energy in the system. "Storms may not be increasing in frequency but Pacific ocean waters are warming faster than expected, and there is a broad scientific consensus that typhoons are now increasing in strength," John Vidal, environmental expert explains.

The Philippines is the third most vulnerable country to climate change impacts and the number one country in the world for deaths caused by natural disasters. We also are hit with an average of 20 typhoons annually. Super Typhoon Haiyan moved twice as fast as Typhoon Bopha last December -- where 1,900 died and leaving 1.2 million people displaced. Typhoon Bopha was the costliest natural disaster in Philippines history -- costing $1 billion in damages.

Like all other developing countries, the Philippines plays a minor role in global carbon emissions (Philippines contributes to 0.28 percent of carbon dioxide emissions while the top 10 countries in the world emit 67.07 percent of the world total) and yet suffers an inordinately higher cost. "We lose five percent of our of our economy every year to storms," Philippine climate change commissioner, Naderev Sano, says.

Though our efforts are not enough in building resilient and adaptation infrastructures enabling us to withstand the natural disasters that hit us, the Philippines has significant renewable energy resources. Nearly 39 percent of the Philippines' energy requirements are from renewable sources. In installed renewable energy capacity, Philippines is seventh in Asia and 33rd globally. The country is the second largest geothermal power producer in the world, the 1.65 MW turbines Bangui Bay Wind farm is Southeast Asia's first and largest wind farm, the 1 MW PV solar plant in Cagayan Oro is the first utility-scale PV plant in Southeast Asia. Philippines has also committed to an ambitious renewable energy target of 50 percent under its Renewable Energy Act by 2030. This Act is highly championed by experts as the best renewable energy law crafted in Asia. This goes to show that as a developing country, we are contributing to the dire solutions that this world needs. However, we certainly do not have enough resources to be able to afford in building resilient infrastructures and adaptation measures to withstand climate catastrophes that are hitting us continuously. What gives me hope are the Filipino people. We have resiliency in our people, and that is what makes our country resilient.

As a response to the Typhoon, my friends and I collaborated our efforts and created the "Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope" project the day after Haiyan had hit. We are a group of young women mobilizing at a grassroots level to deliver essential supplies to the Haiyan survivors in desperate need. We only work with communities that are familiar to us, and the areas that has not already been reached by other relief operations based on the Inventory of Disaster Relief Efforts by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI).

It has been empowering to see that since we've launched Bundles of Joy, we've received donations from around the world, enough to provide a few hundred Bundles of Joy to Typhoon victims in five regions and we've received interest from people globally to volunteer with us. We've received letters of hope from people all over the world who would like to show solidarity to the Typhoon Haiyan survivors. Craig Hazeldene from Tasmania, Australia writes:

Please keep your faith and know that the world outside your own is working hard to ensure you receive the water, food, medicines and essential services you so desperately need. The world cries with you, I cry with you, but together, with the amazing spirit of the Filipinos we will overcome, you will triumph over adversity as you have so often in the past.

These beautiful letters from all over the world are sent with our Bundles of Joy to uplift the spirits of Haiyan survivors. There are also many international NGOs on the ground like Red Cross, Save the Children, Gawad Kalinga, ShelterBox, who are working on immediate and long term efforts. I urge you to support them as help is needed urgently -- not tomorrow, but now.

Typhoon Haiyan may have been one of the strongest typhoons to hit land in history, but I am convinced that the worst has yet to come. It is unfortunate that hundreds and thousands of lives will have to be spared until the world realizes just how dire our situation is. More lives will be lost, more tears will shed and more hearts will have to break if we don't act now.

ELLE Magazine: Young Women Activists Band Together to Fight Typhoon Haiyan With 'Bundles of Joy'

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 23:04:00 +0000

Reposting an article written by Kristian Rodulfo of Elle Magazine on Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope.

Young Women Activists Band Together to Fight Typhoon Haiyan With 'Bundles of Joy'

NOVEMBER 18 5:30 PM by KRISTINA RODULFO

Photo: Bundles of Joy

A week has passed since Typhoon Haiyan—the strongest storm to ever hit land—touched down in the Philippines. And each day since has revealed deeper devastation. Across the country's 7,100 islands, 9 million people have been affected, 1.9 million have been left homeless, and 3,976 (out of a feared figure of 10,000) are dead. Before and after images of completely flattened towns and piles of nameless bodies, still unmoved, are just some of the scenes that have spurred international relief efforts to swiftly organize help. Unfortunately, there are remote places that fall behind when NGOs try coming to the rescue. Enter: Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope, a grassroots organization started by threeyoung female activists, providing on-the-ground aid each day.

"These people have lost everything in their lives," Esperanza Garcia, a Bundles of Joy team member and co-founder of the Philippine Youth Climate Movement and International Youth Council, told ELLE.com. "Not only have they lost their homes and their families, but they've also lost a means for them to survive. They have no boats, no resources, and power lines will be down for months. They're losing their livelihood." Bundles of Joy has targeted affected areas surrounding the core of damage in Philippines' central islands: Malapascua, Camotes Islands, Bantayan Islands, Tacloban City, and Ormoc. A Bundles of Joy visit to Ormoc on the island of Leyte alone revealed 95% of homes have been destroyed and zero relief goods have reached the town.

Photo: Courtesy of Esperanza Garcia

Garcia, based in the U.S., is joined by fellow activists stationed on site: Anna Oposa, co-founder of Save Philippine Seas, and Anya Lim, who has worked for UNICEF Philippines and World Vision Australia and Cebu. Immediately following the storm the three joined forces to form Bundles of Joy and in a week have garnered a rapidly growing social media following and enough donations to deploy 600 Bundles of Joy in only 48 hours. The entire group is bolstered by international volunteers from Mexico to Australia—all women—formed from a network of friends using the immediacy of Facebook outreach.

Each "bundle," formed from every $10 donation, includes food, water, clothing, vitamins, and a flashlight gathered from local suppliers. Something unique about "Bundles of Joy" is that donations are not anonymous monetary gifts. Each contains "Letters of Hope," which are uplifting personal messages of solidarity sent from around the world, as far as Nigeria to Brazil.

Locals receiving relief goods; Photo: Courtesy of Bundles of Joy

"The idea is that if someone in the Philippines reads a letter from someone in Australia saying 'We're here for you and we care' we can instill a hopeful vigor, especially from young people who can't provide monetary support but want to contribute," Garcia said. Oposa, who just returned from dropping off goods on the island Malapascua, added, "It's not just homes that were destroyed—spirits were too. Words of encouragement are so important, and all the relief efforts seem to be forgetting it." She continued, "People are emotional and traumatized! Reading some of the letters made me cry, so, what more for the people who have lost everything?" Oposa said recepients of the bundles were excited to find the notes, and even read them aloud to each other.

Damage in Malapascua; Photo: Courtesy of Bundles of Joy

The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters. Its tropical locale in the Pacific Ocean unfortunately makes it susceptible to around 20 typhoons annually—Haiyan was the 24th in 2013. Garcia, who has also worked in the Philippine Senate Climate Change Committee, stresses that climate change should be at the forefront of our minds. "We are the number one country in the world who has the most deaths annually through natural disasters," she said. "Even if people didn't know the Philippines until now, you have to understand that this [disaster] could happen to you." She called out anthropogenic pollution as criminal, explaining that storms increase in strength as a result of having more heat matter pushed into the atmosphere. According to her research from the UN, the Philippines accounts for only 0.28% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions (by comparison, the U.S. and China, combined, emit over 40%) yet takes the toll.

Photo: Courtesy of Anna Oposa

While immediate relief is necessary, the big picture warrants sustainable solutions. "What I wish people knew is that it takes more than canned goods to rebuild communities," Oposa said. "My personal advocacy will be to rebuild the school and undertake efforts to rebuild their spirits as well, through art workshops and livelihood programs." Garcia proposed investing in stronger infrastructures, particularly schools, for long-term benefit, "[We need to] build resilient schools because they have been used as emergency shelters, but have also become a place for children to become educated," she said.

Relief goods arriving via boat; Photo: Courtesy of Bundles of Joy

For now, the two are continuing to grow Bundles of Joy and pushing international youth to spread the message. Their volunteers in Australia just launched "Lines of Hope"—an initiative encouraging people around the globe to do something as simple as taking selfies with a note and hashtags—#PHyouarenotalone, #linesofhope, and #ReliefPHbundlesofjoy—to build awareness. Join and take action—as Garcia reasoned it best in an online post, "It is unfortunate that hundreds and thousands of lives will have to be [lost] until the world realizes just how dire our situation is. More lives will be lost, more tears will [be] shed, and more hearts will ... break if we don't act now."

Donate to Bundles of Joy

Typhoon Haiyan Relief Team: Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:15:00 +0000

Bundles of Joy Team Spotlight
Esperanza Garcia Esperanza is the Co-Founder of the Philippine Youth Climate Movement and International Youth Council. She has worked in the Philippine Senate Climate Change Committee and was named one of The Outstanding Filipino of NY. Her MSNBC interview on Typhoon Haiyan tonight can be found here.		Anya Lim Anya has worked for UNICEF Philippines and World Vision Australia and Cebu. She is a graduate of University of Queensland and La Salle University. Currently, she runs Anthill Fabric Gallery in Cebu. She is also the brainchild behind “Bundle of Joy and Letters of Hope” project.		Anna Oposa Anna is a World Economic Forum Young Global Shaper. She is Co-Founder of Save Philippine Seas and is the first Filipino and youngest recipient of the Future for Nature Award. She is currently on the ground delivering “Bundles of Joy” to the Malapascua Island region.

Here's how you can help make a difference!

Super Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines this weekend, is known as the most powerful hurricane in recorded history. The impacts have been devastating - wiping out entire neighborhoods and with an expected death toll of 10,000 in Tacloban alone. The storm affected 9 million people in 36 provinces and displacing 600,000 people. Medical supplies, food and water are scarce with survivors going on days without food and water.

We launched “Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope” as a grassroots movement to organize our relief efforts in the Visayas region, which was most hit by the Typhoon. Please support relief efforts by sending a bundle of joy for immediate assistance.

One “Bundle of Joy” for $10 can provide food, water, clothing, vitamins, and light. Our goal is to reach $50,000 by the end of the week. If we can get 50 people commit to raise $1,000 to their own networks, we can provide 5,000 “Bundles of Joy” to Malapascua, Camotes, Bantayan, Tacloban, and Ormoc City. Each bundle of Joy will have a "Letter of Hope" from our local and international community to uplift the spirits of our recovering friends affected by the storm.

To send donations, please send to Paypal accounts:
PAYPAL: anya.lim@anthillfabricgallery.com

BDO:
Account Name: Joy Anya Lim
Account #: 1720150263

$10
1 BUNDLE OF JOY

1 eco friendly bag
5 canned goods
1 pack crackers (7 oz)
4 1L water
3 packs of vitamin C
2 candles
2 matches
1 set of clothing
YOUR Letters of hope

$1000
100 BUNDLES OF JOY

100 eco friendly bags
500 canned goods
100 pack crackers (7 oz)
400 1L water
300 packs of vitamin C
200 candles
200 matches
Donated clothing and blankets
YOUR Letters of hope

If you are unable to help in monetary contributions, please forward this email or the following links below to your friends and family:

Rappler’s #ReliefPH: Victims of Typhoon Yolanda need your help
CNN’s how to help typhoon Haiyan
Huffington Post’s Typhoon Haiyan, here’s how you can help

If you are interested in volunteering, please enter your details here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1f8x1_0iLWS4bvSgvKftIaMoG-cnrn8RUGvI8PXmiRAg/viewform

You can also write the Typhoon Haiyan survivors “Letters of Hope.”

To send your “Letter of Hope” to Typhoon Haiyan survivors , write your message on our Facebook wall. We will send your message to them along with the bundles of Joy :https://www.facebook.com/phbundlesofjoy

$10 Bundle of Joy

The first delivered bundle of joy.

1 Bundle of Joy

1 eco friendly bag

5 canned goods

1 pack crackers (7 oz)

4 1L water

3 packs of vitamin C

2 candles

2 matches

1 set of clothing

YOUR Letters of hope!!

$1000 Delivers 100 Bundles of Joy

100 bundles of joy

100 eco friendly bags

500 canned goods

100 pack crackers (7 oz)

400 1L water

300 packs of vitamin C

200 candles

200 matches

Donated clothing and blankets

YOUR Letters of hope

Deployment Strategy

REGIONS AND TIMELINE

Interview at MSNBC's All in with Chris on the disastrous "Typhoon Haiyan."

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:53:00 +0000

My interview last night at MSNBC's All in with Chris on the disastrous "Typhoon Haiyan."

We Won!

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 00:46:00 +0000

On stage at Carnegie Hall: The Third Annual The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York Awards held October 26, 2013. Photo by AJ Images

WE WON!

Thank you for your support.

This was a momentous week for us as we were one of the recipients of The Outstanding Filipino of New York Award. I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for all of your votes, for believing in the cause and supporting the passion that I share with my friends and colleagues.

It was a great honor to be recognized by my "kababayan" (countrymen) and receive an award alongside inspiring Filipinos who are making a difference in our communities. I commend the organizing committee of The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York for empowering Filipino leaders in this region and giving them a voice.

Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today. We have dreams and aspirations greater than ourselves. Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. We felt it here in NYC during Hurricane Sandy, wefelt it in the Philippines during Typhoon Bopha where 1,000 lives were lost and 1.2 million people were displaced... and we have the solutions to help climate change impacts from exacerbating. My friends and colleagues across the globe have been working hard in implementing sustainable solutions across the globe. I share this award with them, they have been my inspiration. I have never seen such a committed group of young individuals, dedicating their lives to this cause.

We need to continue our efforts in helping to scale these sustainable solutions and technologies-- and we need to continue to empower and support young leaders and future decision makers who are eventually responsible for taking on this great challenge.

"Bugsay" is a Filipino term which means to paddle. To quote the African proverb, "If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together." We have to go far, quickly. We need to bugsay together.

After seeing the awardees with their loved ones, it made me that wish my family was there. They are my rock - and I couldn't have done this without their continued support.

For more information:

Philippine Inquirer's A night of celebration and NY's brightest, most committed Fil-Ams honored

Strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines #yolanda #typhoonhaiya

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 00:40:00 +0000

Typhoon Haiyan is pictured in this NOAA satellite handout image taken November 6, 2013 at 23:13 UTC. NOAA / Reuters

After an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit my hometown last month, Super Typhoon Haiyan, the biggest storm in the world this year, will hit the Philippines tomorrow. The storm is equivalent to category 5 hurricane with winds of 315 kph (195 mph) and gusts as strong as 380 kph (235 mph). Haiyan's high winds and rain are expected to affect more than 25 million people.

This is serious - lives are stake. Last month, the earthquake's force reported by Wall Street Journal to be the force of 32 Hiroshima-level atomic bombs, left 8,300 homes destroyed, 222 killed, and 350,000 displaced.

The Philippines ranks third in the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change. We have an average of 20 disastrous typhoons annually that cause serious damage. Last December, Typhoon Bopha, the most powerful to hit the country last year killed as many as 1,900 people and left 1.2 million people displaced.

This stresses how crucial adaptation and resilient measures are in the Philippines. We need to put more efforts in building and investing in stronger coping mechanisms for these ongoing disasters.

Today! Next Day Better, Birthday Tonight and TOFA-NY Award support

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:50:00 +0000

A passion of mine has always been to bring great people together. If you are in NYC, I'd love to invite you join us at the events today, September 14. All are invited! Bring your friends and loved ones.

I invite you to join us at the NextDayBetter NYC event today 9/14 (Saturday) 1-6pm (ET). The event feat. Philippines Flavored Ideas and Actions that create a better future. Speakers in Design, Social Entrepreneurship, Education, Arts, International Development, and more will share stories and insights on making the next day better. Would love to see you.

RSVP: https://nextdaybetternyc1.eventbrite.com/ #NDBetter #Philippines
Use Promo Code for discounted tickets: NDBEsperanza (It will be $25)
Shout-out to Ryan Letada for putting this incredible event together!

After Next Day Better NYC, I will be celebrating my birthday at the Next Day Better's after party. From 8 - 10 PM we plan to be at the Madelyn at the East Village on 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012 (map here: http://goo.gl/maps/VtFcL) and from 10 PM onwards we will move to the Trump Soho Hotel's new Spot Lounge at 246 Spring St, New York, NY 10013 (map here:http://goo.gl/maps/EzfKR) for the Next Day Better After party. The Next Day Better After Party at the Trump SoHo New York Spot Lounge and is in collaboration with Yellow Boat of Hope, UNIPRO, Esperanza Garcia and NextDayBetter. RSVP HERE. This is great time and place for you to network and dance with incredible people doing amazing things. Anyone (21+) can attend - Free Admission.

Don't forget to support my nomination today for The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York. To vote, visit link http://on.fb.me/155NzRZ and hit ‘LIKE’ on my picture. Please feel free to share with your friends as well. Deadline to vote is September 30.

Thank you for all the love and support through the years.

Vote Esperanza Garcia for The Outstanding Filipino America of New York

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:37:00 +0000

Vote for my nomination for the The Outstanding Filipino America of New York Award by clicking on THIS LINK and 'LIKE' my picture.

The awards ceremony is at Carnegie Hall on October 26, 2013.

VOTE (LIKE) my picture here: http://on.fb.me/155NzRZ
Please feel free to share the link with your friends as well

It's a great honor to be nominated for the work that I've done with my friends and colleagues. Though I just had to say,we’ve already won. We've already inspired young people globally and made a global impact.

See our work here:

International Youth Council

Philippine Youth Climate Movement

Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development

Nominated for The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 02:20:00 +0000

My work has been nominated as one of the nominees for The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY). I hope you can help support my nomination and have your friends vote as well. This is a great opportunity to highlight the work that I have done with my friends and colleagues assisting youth globally.

Vote by clicking on this link and liking my picture:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=645275632158474&set=a.645248525494518.1073741829.236005296418845&type=1&theater

International Youth Council

Philippine Youth Climate Movement

Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development

Speaking at TEDx Richmond in November

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 20:08:00 +0000

I just confirmed to speak at TEDx Richmond in November with theme on Environmental Sustainability. I am excited to meet Earlham College students and teachers and visit Indiana. For more info, visit here.

LIVING ON THE EDGE CAPSTONE

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:37:00 +0000

Blog Updated on June 1.


LOTEC TEAM: Back L to R: Joe Persaud, Derrek Clarke, Steve Burke, Challey Comer, Henry Gordon-Smith, Melisa Pernalete (and 'little LOTEC), Saami Sabiti. Front L to R: Adriana Kliegman, Esperanza Garcia, Floren Poliseo, Melissa Boo, Prof. Lynnette Widder (Advisor)

Henry Gordon-Smith, LOTEC Capstone Manager, presenting at the Final Presentation for the Columbia Sustainability Management Capstone Workshop of Spring 2013

In the past few weeks, I've designed and built the website for my Sustainability Management Capstone team, with whom we call ourselves #LOTEC (otherwise known as Living On The Edge Capstone). I did not know I was capable of putting this together, but if I can do it, anyone can!

Tonight, our LOTEC platform/website was finally presented to the public. Our advisor, Lynnette Widder, invited guests from different backgrounds, from architects to economists, to view the strategies that my LOTEC team have developed throughout the course of the semester, along with our platform, presented.

In our Capstone team, we were fortunate enough to have a hybrid of professions of individuals who offered a multitude of skills in the work that we did together. This is what is great about sustainability. Sustainability is a multidisciplinary approach that addresses three integral/key dimensions of: environmental, social, and economics (at least!) within it's solutions. Our #LOTEC team is a great example of that. From architects, to engineers, to agriculturists, to communication specialist, to business managers, our strategies and work clearly shows the breadth that sustainability can create.

I've mentioned this many times to my team, but it's truly been a great honor to have worked with brilliant individuals to develop our goals helping social entrepreneurs working in decentralized technology in the urban periphery of Mexico. I may be biased, and though I was a little bit envious that everyone else in my team had clients to work with, I thought I had the best job working with each and every member of the team as I had the opportunity to closely work with each team to design our deliverables and develop the platform of which our tools and strategies presented in. I collaborated with each of the group strategies (Communication, Mapping, and Metrics) extensively to best portray their strategies/tool on the website, which will be publicly shared soon (keep an eye out for that!). Our team definitely brought into reality a favorite and 'uberly' cheesy phrase that I use: "Team work makes dream work!" Building this website has also given me the confidence to change and improve this outdated blog of mine (which I still find to be embarrassingly prematurely designed, at times). Perhaps, when I am done with school, I can make the time to make this blog look more professional.

"This is the most obsessively documented, self aware capstone” our guest, Professor Stayajit Bose had said after our presentation tonight. Visit our blog and follow us on twitter (@ThinkLOTEC).

Some pictures from our presentation tonight:

Melissa Boo presenting LOTEC's Mapping Strategy

Steve Burke presenting LOTEC's Communication Strategy


Floren Poliseo presenting LOTEC's Social Impact strategy

'Tis the blogger presenting the LOTEC platform

THE END! BOW.

The Capstone Workshop is the final degree requirement of Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management program. Our capstone works with three (3) social entrepreneurs in Mexico, Isla Urbana, Sistema Biobolsa and Yansa each working within the urban periphery. Our mission is to strengthen three social entrepreneurs through dynamic communications strategies that will empower them to leapfrog sustainable alternative technologies on the urban-periphery.

Visiting Isla Urbana in Mexico

noreply@blogger.com (Esperanza Garcia) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:31:00 +0000

Enrique Lomnitz; Through the work of his organization, Isla Urbana, Enrique Lomnitz

aims to solve the water shortage in Mexico City by creating a sustainable system

based on rainwater capture systems.

Photo Credit: IRRI- Mexico

ENRIQUE LOMNITZ

“Poor people or rich people feel less strongly about water- it is not about wealth, it is about water availability.” Enrique Lomnitz, Director of Isla Urbana, tells our Capstone group during our meeting with him in Mexico. Isla Urbana seeks to catalyze a revolution in rainwater harvesting and works to ensure sustainable water supply for Mexico city for people of all economic levels.[1]

Enrique is an entrepreneur and visionary. He is humble and plays down his successes, though a badge that he takes pride in is being an Ashoka fellow. In addition to becoming a part of a global network of social entrepreneurs, being an Ashoka fellow adds credibility to his work and provides him with financial support to help achieve his goals (for the next 3 years, at least).

Enrique also participated in Initiativa Mexico, a popular Mexican reality TV program in 2011 that is about projects that have positive impact in Mexico. With over 8,000 applications, Isla Urbana was one top 20 NGO’s chosen. The organization has been named one of the top best-practice organizations by UN-Water for Life, they were finalists in the 2010 BBC World Challenge competition, and participate in making commitments at the Clinton Global Initiative.

ISLA URBANA

In Mexico City, millions of Mexicans are without adequate access to water. The Isla Urbana programme of IRRI Méxicois dedicated to resolving the water crisis in Mexico City through the installations of rainwater harvesting systems. Isla Urbana designs, build and install rainwater harvesting collection systems for low income peri-urban communities in Mexico City. They teach rainwater harvesting courses, host and participate in community events, and are dedicated to making Mexico City’s water management policy sustainable. They do all this working household by household--ensuring decentralized water security--in a place known to have serious water scarcity issues.[2]

“We got nothing to teach them we have everything to learn.” Enrique tells our Capstone group, when referring to working in low-income communities. The rain water harvesting, if implemented on a large scale, can meet up to 50% of Mexico City’s needs.[3]

SUCCESSES AND STRENGTHS

Rachel Smith; Showing the work of Isla Urbana and Proyecto Concentrate
with the indigenous tribes in the Sierra Huichol in Jalisco State,
a project called "Ha Ta Tukari." Mexico City, March 2013.

In Mexico, I sat down with Rachel Smith of IRRI-Mexicoand Engineers Without Borders UK. She worked on producing a report for Isla Urbana studying the adoption rates of rainwater harvesting in Mexico D.F. last year and continues to work for IRRI-Mexico. “Water scarce communities are knowledgeable of water conservation, Isla Urbanaexpands on their knowledge to introduce their technology. And the government has all the economic advantage – with our system, they save money” Rachel says when I ask her about Isla Urbana’s strengths.

Isla Urbana addresses an immediate problem and provides an immediate benefit. Since 2009, Isla Urbana have installed 1,151 systems, helped 12,862 people, and harvested 54,400,000 gallons of water.[v] “We are sowing the seeds of a systemic solution,” Enrique says.

CHALLENGES

Amidst their successes, Isla Urbana also faces barriers and challenges. Financing has been their biggest challenge, and what they would like to do is to expand on their international funding. “We are weak in financing, it would be great to open up internationally” Enrique admits. “We have an international setting and an international team but we are not so international in funding, with only over 4-5% percent of their funding coming from abroad” Enrique adds.

"One of the main challenge for Isla Urbana is overcoming the entrenched preconception about water management in general" Rachel stresses. Isla Urbana is developing a sustainable business model, in the context where water is heavily subsidized. The “Pipa’s,” otherwise known as water-trucks, and grid water are subsidized by the government. “It is a challenge to get people to get people to pay for the rainwater harvesting systems if they don’t have the concept that water costs a lot” Rachel adds.

The government, as part of their push to improve water supply, funds groups of households that do not have good grid connection and where water-trucks do not come as often to receive Isla Urbana systems. This improves their water supply resilience. Where there is more water supply, there is less scarcity. The government has also paid for Isla Urbana systems in households, without the households contribution. “Reliance on government could sometimes be detrimental,” Rachel says, “by doing so, it encourages reliance on government funds rather than developing private sector model of business selling product/services. The further out you get (of the urban periphery), people illegally tap into the water line. This only means that the value of water is not reflected in the price that people pay.”

EXPECTATIONS

“My expectations are not super specific” Enrique says tells our Capstone group in our interview with him when we asked him of his expectations from our team. “I hope to gain insight or ideas into Isla Urbana from people that come at this from different disciplines from what our team has (2 industrial designers, 2 engineers, 1 anthropologist, 1 urbanist, 1 linguist and 5 plumbers). It would be amazing to get some help developing better ways to measure actual and potential impact, especially on an economic level, as the systems start to scale up” he adds.

“We are working to develop rainwater harvesting towards its fullest potential in Mexico, yet we are not even sure of the real number of houses that could easily be fitted with rainwater systems in the city. We know there are lots, but we have little in terms of numbers” Enrique explores. “It would be amazing to start building a map of the potential, in numbers and general (physical) areas with most potential. If we can start mapping this better, we can start really calculating interesting things like how an investment in rainwater harvesting (RWH) considered here as investment in water infrastructure (this is important because the way the water subsidies work means that the real economic winner when someone saves water through RWH or any other method is the government). If we can start mapping all this, we can start calculating future water stress scenarios and how much relative good would be done if you already had X number of RWH systems deployed and working in the city. This kind of stuff is very, very interesting to me and could be really useful as we argue the value and potential of RWH to people at higher and higher levels.” Enrique adds.

That is where our Capstone group comes in: to help Isla Urbana produce arguments, as it is conceived, and build a tool of persuasion. Especially in helping them make a persuasive case to government officials that Rain Water Harvesting Systems can alleviate water infrastructure issues and deliver a reliable source of potable water. In doing so, our Capstone group first asks ourselves whether or not it was possible to map informal development patterns in Ajusco where Isla Urbana operate. As our research progresses, our goal is to deliver a map that is structured in such a way that information can grow with it. In our first meeting with Enrique in Mexico, we had identified the building blocks of information that could grow with this, such as political boundaries, pollution, and numbers of housed in each types of section.

ISLA URBANA CAPSTONE VISIT IN MEXICO

Pictures from our Isla Urbana Workshop in Mexico

The day after our Capstone group’s arrival in Mexico, Helene Gutierrez of IRRI-Mexico met our Capstone group in our hotel. She assisted us to the Isla Urbanaheadquarters in Ajusco, an hour drive from where we have stayed in Condessa. Ajusco is a 3,930 m lava dome volcano located just south of Mexico City and it is the highest point in the Mexican Federal District. Our mapping work focuses on the urban area Ajusco that is filled with medium systems Tlalpan rainwater catchment systems. This area, urbanized informally on the slopes of Ajusco, suffers from severe water shortages. The houses often go weeks without water and when they do receive water it is of poor quality, with some areas completely lacking the water service. “The lack of good water supply forces many families to buy water pipes, and the costs associated with these can become very high. These usually have people in a state of unsecured draining water access. The only good thing is that, thanks to the shortage, this area has developed a true culture of caring and valuing water” Rachel explains.

Derrek Clarke, Floren Poliseo, Enrique Lomnitz, Adriana Kliegman

Enrique Lomnitz and Columbia Sustainability Management Capstone Team: "Living on the Edgers"

Isla Urban, IRRI-Mexico, Sistema Biobolsa, and "Living on the Edgers"

L to R: Enrique Lomnitz, Adriana Kliegman, Challey Comer, Floren Poliseo, Melissa Boo, Derrek Clarke, Steven Burke, Joe Persaud

Inside Carmen's Rainwater Harvesting cistern

The group in the Isla Urbana Headquarters

The rooftop of the Isla Urbana office

We visited Ajusco to get a good sense of the community, we visited homes in Ajusco that these rain water harvesting systems were installed in, experienced how Isla Urbana is like in the field, and studied the mechanics of system. Unfortunately, we were unable to install rainwater harvesting systems, however, we were able to meet Carmen. During rainy season many IU systems don’t use grid or trucked water, or “Pipa” as it is known in Mexico. At this time, residents use RWH during rainy season. Thankfully, there is a way that Carmen can maintain self-sufficient and sustainable access to clean water.[5]

Picture of Carmen

Photo Source: Crowdrise

Rain Water Harvesting System with Isla Urbana
Photo Credit: IRRI- Mexico

GOAL

Enrique’s vision for Isla urbana is to “catalyze a process, that can be at it’s best full-bloom in 40 years.” In generating a movement in the city and country with rainwater water harvesting systems, they hope to replicate this idea in other places where needed. In our capstone contribution, we can help their goal by developing a tool that would allow Isla Urbana to plot and predict potential impact that filling up a region that rainwater harvesting systems would have.

Special thanks to Rachel and Enrique for taking the time to be interviewed for this blog!

Sources:

[1] http://www.islaurbana.org

[2] "Columbia University Sustainability Management Living on the Edge Capstone Midterm." Columbia University

[3] http://www.islaurbana.org

[4] http://www.crowdrise.com/aguavidabday/fundraiser/jobudz

[5] http://www.islaurbana.org

Esperanza Garcia

Building a new life

🎄Wishing you a Green Christmas! 🎄

Dreaming of a Green Christmas!

🌲TREES 🌲The Gift That Keeps on Giving!

Hello, Again, World

Grid Alternatives Solar Install

Honored to receive the Care2 Impact Award

Esperanza Garcia To Be Honored With Care2 Impact Award at 5th Annual Women In Green Forum

Women in Green - Youth TrailBlazer

Esperanza Garcia to Receive Youth Trailblazer Award at the 5th Annual Women In Green Forum

Worldwatch Insitute Blog: Designing a Sustainable Energy Roadmap for the Philippines

Featured on Financial Times "Investing in Young People" series

Profiles by Justin Cash

Bohol Youth Convention 2014

Rebuilding Haiyan-hit Elementary School and Planting Trees with Family

NO, I will not be ashamed

Haiyan bringing families together

My first Huffington Post article: The World Cries With the Philippines

The World Cries With the Philippines

ELLE Magazine: Young Women Activists Band Together to Fight Typhoon Haiyan With 'Bundles of Joy'

Typhoon Haiyan Relief Team: Bundles of Joy and Letters of Hope Launch

Bundles of Joy Team Spotlight

Esperanza Garcia

Anya Lim

Anna Oposa

Here's how you can help make a difference!

$10 Bundle of Joy

$1000 Delivers 100 Bundles of Joy

Deployment Strategy

Interview at MSNBC's All in with Chris on the disastrous "Typhoon Haiyan."

We Won!

WE WON!

Thank you for your support.

Strongest tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines #yolanda #typhoonhaiya

Today! Next Day Better, Birthday Tonight and TOFA-NY Award support

Vote Esperanza Garcia for The Outstanding Filipino America of New York

Nominated for The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York﻿

Speaking at TEDx Richmond in November

LIVING ON THE EDGE CAPSTONE

Visiting Isla Urbana in Mexico

SUCCESSES AND STRENGTHS

CHALLENGES

EXPECTATIONS

ISLA URBANA CAPSTONE VISIT IN MEXICO

GOAL

Nominated for The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York