She began to shiver.
Seas soared. Winds howled.
Trees shuddered, birds became silent, animals paused.
We expected more.

What could we do, we were too far away to feel her shiver—Our senses numbed by high-rises and virtual worlds.

But those that could feel, ached. They covered her so she would be warm. The covers were insufficient; she had a large body, and she had given birth too many times.

Her nutrients she had given to her offspring. Now was her turn to receive. We her progeny—her offspring—had forgotten reciprocity. We were busy chasing ungraspable desires. We were digging her soils, and creeping through her crust. She rumbled.

She rumbled often.
One day (as all things must).
Some day (because it is inevitable).
Soon (triggered by our actions).
Sooner than soon (the warning is out).
She will quake.

High-rises will tumble. Virtual worlds will go dim and dark. Seas will rise and soil will fall under. Too bad we took her for granted.

If you love this beautiful planet-a home for all beings, What and how can we do together?

Are you keen to try Organic vegan wanton noodle? So yummy!

Simple answer, Go Vegan.

If everyone is taking this action, we are able to stop a climate change catastrophe and reduce suffering that all beings need to face from natural disasters. I believe you can notice how up side down of our weather. In Malaysia, it’s not suppose to be in monsoon season now, however, we are facing heavy rain and thunder-storm daily, sometimes 3-4 times per day, hardly we can get some sunshine. What are the impact? Flash flood, landslide, roof being blow away and…..

Today, I went to Organic market, limited choices of vegetables, no hair melon, radish, winter melon and others. The heavy and unusual rain affected the crop. Imagine, the situation is getting worst, what can we eat even we are full of cash?

Some of us might think go vegan, so challenging. You need to give up your “Favourite food” immediately. The mind is everything, you are what you think. Why not take a try not to restrict yourself from taking meat, seafood and diaries for initial stage? But to increase the amount of vegetables, beans, tofu, plant based ingredients in your meal. Our mind is more receptive to add on instead of completely cut off. Gradually, eventually, you are going to be a VEGAN.

Take a try!!! Small effort from us, we can make a huge impact together and prolong the life of mother of earth, bring happiness and reduce suffering to all beings.

Say YES!!!

The adventurer Sir David Hempleman-Adams has called on politicians to “grasp the nettle” on climate change.

The 60-year-old set off from Bristol in June to circumnavigate the Arctic polar region by boat, a trip traditionally taking about three years.

His team managed it in four months and one day which confirmed, he said, his “worst fears” about disappearing ice.

A government spokesman said the UK was committed to playing a major role in reducing global CO2 emissions.

“The UK’s commitment and leadership on climate action, internationally and domestically, is as strong as ever and we are recognised as the second best country in the world for tackling climate change,” a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy spokesman said.

Sir David believes the disappearing ice and rising sea levels will have global environmental implications unless politicians act swiftly, and fears this could open the Arctic route to commercial vessels.

The explorer set off on the Polar Ocean Challenge aboard the 48ft (14.6m) yacht Northabout aiming to circumnavigate the Arctic via Siberia, Alaska and Greenland in a single season.

Packed ice previously would have slowed progress on the 13,500 nautical mile trip.

But Sir David – from Box in Wiltshire – said after encountering little ice in the Laptev Sea north of Siberia, the yacht reached the Northwest Passage, where they found almost none for 1,800 miles (2,897km).

“I think we’re all a bunch of ostriches, and what we’re doing is handing it to the next generation to sort out,” she said.

He compared the loss of ice to the cutting down of the Brazilian rainforests and said the Arctic had reached a “tipping point”, which could lead to major flooding and famines.

“It’s an absolutely depressing thought. I know it’s a well-used adage, but the Arctic is the canary in the mine,” he said.

“What we’re finding now is the ramifications of all this global warming, and it will definitely have an impact on us down in the south.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-38488784

But the combinations of reasons for climate change combined is the real issue we should be tackling, so often you here of the ‘crackling down’ of emissions from cars and the oil and gas industry, approaching anything in this manner is never going to solve the issue completely, that is why I have created “The top 3 ways to stop climate change today”to outline the combination of effects we can all make today to make a sustainable future for us all to enjoy, revert away from destructive methods of production of everything on such a vast scale, protect our ecosystems and start repair the damage that climate change has had done!

1) Reduce your meat consumption

Now i use the word ‘reduce’ due the age old habitats running deep through most people, A vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is the most sustainable way of living and will greatly reduce your carbon footprint. A vast amount of greenhouse gases are released into our atmosphere annually due to the extremely enhanced demand for meat. The demand for meat is an incredibly unsustainable way of life and regardless of your choice on this matter it is estimated, that due to global population figures sky rocketing, we will not be able to supply the demand for meat in the near distant future. Making the decision to cut meat from your diet will directly impact so many different things, from reduction of waste into oceans creating dead zones around so many countries to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.

2) reduce your water usage

Water usage is a huge element in climate change, droughts are become a much more common occurance causing lack of crops and loss of ecosystems, helping prevent wasted water a few simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth – this can save 6 litres of water per minute.

Place a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush. You can get one of these from your water provider.

Take a shorter shower. Shower can use anything between 6 and 45 litres per minute.

Always use full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher – this cuts out unnecessary washes in between.

Fix a dripping tap. A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, or 5,500 litres of water a year.

Install a water butt to your drainpipe and use the water collected to water your plants, clean your car and wash your windows.

Water your garden with a watering can rather than a hosepipe. A hosepipe uses 1,000 litres of water an hour. Mulching your plants (with bark chippings, heavy compost or straw) and watering in the early morning and late afternoon will reduce evaporation and also save water.

Fill a jug with tap water and place this in your fridge. This will mean you do not have to leave the cold tap running for the water to run cold before you fill your glass.

3) be proactive and let people know!

Taking a proactive approach to anything will only spread the word faster and you telling your friends and family how you can help change the world and make it a better place! Community and discussion is the strongest power on this earth, researching how we can change for the better, discovering the news Eco friendly technologies and spreading the word far and wide, knowledge really is power when it comes to protect this planet and no matter why your doing it weather it be to protect a certain species, to protect your favourite spot or just generally to ensure that the generations after us can enjoy the true beauty that we are so privelaged to have at our doorsteps, start the conversation and play your part in creating a sustainable world for all,
Thank you for reading! If you’d like to read more check out my pages

www.oureco.blog

www.oureco.co.uk

Man oh man has it been a while since I last wrote here. “Time keeps on slippin slippin slippin” away from me (and honestly I forgot that I started this platform). I guess I haven’t really had anything to say; actually that’s a lie, I always have things to say. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure why I haven’t posted. Anyways, I’m back now.

I considered writing about the election. However, I figured people would be sick of election talk. I know I am. I’m sick of seeing the same things being said by people who voted for Trump. I’m sick of the people who have already been affected and will be affected by this decision being ignored by his supporters even though they are “not racist, not sexist, and not homophobic”. If you’re none of those things, why do I not see you denouncing other Trump supporters committing hate crimes? Why are you continuing to yell and scream about how you only care about his policies (however vague they may be) and trying to tell people you’re not socially like him, but not expressing remorse or disgust over, or even acknowledging, these hate crimes? But I digress. I said this would not be about the election and I am a women of my word.

Tonight I am going to talk about why I am not eating beef, and will try to cut back my dairy consumption by half. Tonight I am going to talk about why I will be looking more closely at which food companies use palm oil and bribe Indonesia, and subsequently buying less of those products.

As you may know, UN Ambassador of Peace, Leonardo DiCaprio, recently made a documentary called “Before the Flood”. Did you also know it was temporarily made available to rent for free on iTunes (and depending on when you’re reading this it’s still free)? I just finished watching it and I have never felt more compelled to take action (so good job Leo, Stevens, and Monroe). Truly a great documentary, very enlightening, and definitely makes you want to get up and do something. But if  you’re like me, you wonder ‘what can I do?’.

I have always believed in climate change. There has never been one moment when I doubted its reality. When I was younger I owned, and wore habitually, a green shirt that had a panda bear on it and it said something along the lines of ‘global warming isn’t cool’. I recycle as much as possible, I bring re-usable bags with me when I go shopping, the shampoo and conditioner I use are both organic and don’t harm the water supply when they’re rinsed down the drain, and I only use reusable water bottles. But there’s probably more I could be doing in my everyday life right? Apparently so.

Beef and dairy are two huge staples in the American diet, so naturally we are breeding and farming more cattle than ever. In 2006, about 30% of land in the U.S. was used for food production and it has only increased from then. And of the land used for food production, the bulk of it is used for cattle and to grow feed for cattle. Beyond the land usage and the land being bulldozed for cattle, there is the issue of methane production. Cattle produce methane, and methane as you may know is a greenhouse gas. One molecule of methane is equivalent to 23 molecules of CO2. As I’m sure you know greenhouse gases are responsible for the melting icecaps and the problems arising from the melting icecaps.

Now, for the sake of transparency, I will admit that I don’t eat that much beef as is. I’m more of a chicken kind of person. I consume dairy a bit more, but still, not a lot. However I am still going to cut beef entirely out of my diet for a year, and honestly will probably consume even less beef than I do now after the year of no beef. I am going to cut my dairy consumption in half (admittedly this one will be a bit harder because I do love cheese). Logic behind this? The less cattle consumed, the less cattle produced, the less methane and land waste.

Beyond my cattle crusade (because I already don’t consume that much), I’m going to start being more aware of what corporations use unethically produced palm oil in their products and stop buying those products. Palm oil is the biggest factor in Indonesian deforestation which puts a lot of animals in danger and homeless as well as releasing more CO2 into the air by burning down the forests (not to mention the fossil fuels used in harvesting and producing palm oil). The system of getting palm oil is corrupt in itself with companies bribing Indonesian government officials to burn the forests. So from now on, I will be moving towards being palm oil free, or conflict palm oil free.

Here’s why I’m so pissed off. We now have a president that does not believe in climate change. We have people in the senate who are being backed by big money from fossil fuel companies which means that their interests are obviously swayed in the direction of continuing to use FFs (votes being bought? weird). The reason we still don’t have a carbon tax or set restrictions on companies to be more eco-friendly and more transparent about how they effect the climate is in large part because of this. The people being backed by fossil fuel still adamantly deny climate change and now that we have a republican president, house, and senate, the prospect of getting things such as the carbon tax enacted look grim (even though the carbon tax would allow for reduction of other taxes, but people hear “tax” and are immediately pissed and they don’t research so obviously politicians aren’t going to promote something that will lose them votes). Again, I feel like I’m digressing. Back to climate change.

Here are the facts we know to be true (literally look anywhere, you can’t deny that this is happening).  The earth is warming. The ice is melting.  Sea levels are rising. These are facts. The reason we have more flooding, more natural disasters, and the severity of those natural disasters is increasing is because of climate change. Just because the weather happens to be a bit cooler than forecasted one day does not mean climate change is not real, to think that is to be short sighted and ignorant. The earth is in fact warming and this is going to royally screw over a lot of people, places, and things i.e. precipitation belts will begin to move causing droughts in places that are already too hot meaning that they will become entirely unlivable and entire populations of people will be forced to move (but America is really accepting of foreign refugees right? for another times..). If the ice keeps melting, more methane and CO2 trapped in the ice will be released, places like Greenland will continue to disappear, and species in those areas will go extinct. And when the ice melts, the sea levels will rise, flooding will continue in places like Florida (costing the taxpayer much more @republicans) and island nations who contribute to the climate change crisis the least will feel the effects the most when their homes are flooded  and destroyed.

Of course this is only a brief summary of how climate change is already affecting us and how it will continue. But this is already pretty long so I’m trying to shorten it a bit.

It’s time to really start fighting climate change. We haven’t waited too long, there is still time for us to act. But we can’t keep waiting. The Paris Climate Agreement was a huge step in the right direction. But there is still so much more that can be done. We need to stop treating our earth like a trash can and acting like there will never be any repercussions (especially because the repercussions have already begun). Environmental problems are really human behavior problems, and even though it can be difficult, we can change our behaviors. There is still hope, and while there is hope we must fight.

love and hugs

references and ways to get involved:

http://timeforchange.org/are-cows-cause-of-global-warming-meat-methane-CO2

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/facts-on-animal-farming-and-the-environment/

http://www.ecowatch.com/palm-oil-scorecard-find-out-which-brands-are-and-arent-helping-save-in-1882189657.html

http://climatetruth.org/press/releases/2016/10/17/interactive-database-tracks-fossil-fuel-campaign-c/

https://www.beforetheflood.com

carbotax.com

Click this link to sign the petition and Save the Great Barrier Reef

In their campaign to stop dangerous climate change, Greenpeace is taking on one of the world most urgent issues: the enormous expansion of coal mining and coal exports from Australia. Not only does coal expansion spell disaster for our global climate, but it threatens one of the world’s most precious treasures, the Great Barrier Reef. It has been suggested that Australia’s coal exports may increase by more than half within a decade. This is a huge step back for Australia, whose coal market is booming while the rest of us are looking to join the clean energy market, and making them one of the biggest carbon polluters in the world.

Australia is on the brink of turning the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area into an industrial estate. Plans to develop ports to export coal will damage the coral reef with sediment and other pollution, as well as ocean acidification and climate change once the coal is burnt. This industrial expansion would destroy vital marine habitat, including habitat for endangered Loggerhead and Olive Ridley turtles. Since people around the world have shown their support and signed the petition, the Australian Government have postponed their decision and announced a public consultation. If you want to join over a million others in helping stop dangerous climate change, as well as save one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, please follow the link and sign the petition.

Click this link to sign the petition and Save the Great Barrier Reef

If you like what you read, please like my Facebook page to keep up with future posts

• Click this link to Save The Arctic
• Click this link to Release Green Peace Activists
• Click this link to Stop Climate Chaos (fracking)
• Click this link to  Fight for Factory Bred Chickens
• Click this link to  Save the Amazon from Deforestation
• Click this link to Save the African Lion
• Click this link to Save Bees and Natural Pollination
• Click this link to Save Captive Marine Animals at SeaWorld
• Click this link to Save Angora Rabbits Being Abused For Fur

Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet, but deforestation is happening at an alarming rate. Trees are an integral part of our existence, providing vital oxygen and homes for both people and wildlife. Climate change degradation is amongst the various reasons for deforestation around the world.

Here are 15 images of the world’s most beautiful trees to show exactly why we need to protect our forests from deforestation and the air we breathe from climate change and pollution.

DID YOU KNOW? Some 46-58 million square miles of forest are lost each year—equivalent to 36 football fields every minute.

The Portland Japanese Garden, located within Washington Park, Portland, Oregon, USA. Photo by: unknown

Sagano bamboo forest, Kyoto, Japan. Photo by: Ingeun Nam

Canadian hemlock. Photo by: Steve Satushek/Getty Images

Grand Fir forests, British Columbia, Canada. Picture by: Image Source/Corbis

Maple Twins. Photo by: John Talbot

Angel oak tree, Charleston. Photo by: Mark Requidan

Wisteria tree. Photo by: Brian Young

Ariel of Amazon canopy. Photo by: Greg Armfield

Monkey Puzzle tree, Chile. Photo by: Tui De Roy/Minden Pictures/Getty Images

Hazel woodlands. Photo by: Dr Jeremy Burgess / Science Photo Library

Baobabs, Menabe, Madagascar. Photo by: imagebroker/Alamy

Ancient olive trees, Greek island of Thassos.
Photo by: Antonio Macias Marin/Getty Images

Red blossoms, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Photo by: Ulrich Doering/Alamy

English oak. Photo by: Stephen Spraggon/Alamy

Massive aged Banyan tree, India. Photo by: Aditya “Dicky” Singh / Alamy

How can you make a difference?

The paper industry, for example, is a big contributor to deforestation and there are alternatives to cutting down trees for paper.

• Recycling paper is by far the most common way to help save a tree.
• Look for paper made from other materials such as hemp or agri-pulp.

Also, by making more sustainable choices within your everyday life you can reduce the effects of climate change.

• See our tips for living more sustainably on the 1 Million Women Website

Don’t forget to head over to our website! We are daughters, mothers, sisters and grandmothers getting on with practical climate action to live better for us and the planet. Join the movement at www.1millionwomen.com.au

• Art & Culture: Awesome sustainable happenings in art and culture every week.

These incredible images of nature show exactly why we need to keep fighting global climate change! Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity and nature today. The impacts on nature are already starting to show as animals, plants, and the ecosystems they inhabit are under increasing threat because of:

• Rapid temperature changes affect the seasons, causing variations in season length which can lead to mismatches between key elements in an ecosystem.
• Irreversible changes to ecosystems, such as temperature and rainfall patterns, which enable the animals living in them to thrive.

DID YOU KNOW? If the Earth keeps getting warmer, up to one–fourth of all the plants and animals on Earth could become extinct within 100 years! See what else climate change is destroying here

Images from Pixabay

Some species are already responding to a warmer climate. For example, some North American animals and plants are moving farther north or to higher elevations to find suitable places to live and adapt to. However, what about our coral reefs, which face extensive coral bleaching beyond repair, or polar bears in the Hudson Bay area of Canada who are losing weight and getting less fit because the ice breaks up 2 weeks earlier in spring, robbing them of 2 weeks’ hunting. If the changes continue happening too fast for ecosystems and species to adapt then extinctions could occur.

How can we make a difference?

By making more sustainable choices within your everyday life to reduce the effects of climate change.

See our tips for living more sustainably on the 1 Million Women Website

Don’t forget to head over to our website! We are daughters, mothers, sisters and grandmothers getting on with practical climate action to live better for us and the planet. Join the movement at www.1millionwomen.com.au

• Art & Culture: Awesome sustainable happenings in art and culture every week.

…Dumaguete…

…Pangasinan…

Our first stop is Pangasinan Pangasinan as earlier this year its provincial board members have voted 7 to adopt a resolution on the construction of nuclear power plants from South Korea along the province’s coastline.

The group set up their exhibit in the San Fabian church and Pangasinan State University in Lingayen to engage the public for almost a week.
Most of the people that we  talked to are not aware about the resolution, they are even shock that their board members will agree on this. Some of them are familiar about the dangerous effect of nuclear energy. When we asked them if they know about renewable energy they said yes and pointed out the Bangui wind farm in Ilocos as an example.

At the end of our trip we gathered more than a thousand signatures, written in paper pin wheels, which we will deliver to President Noynoy Aquino calling his support in promoting renewable energy instead of nuclear. Its a good experience engaging the people and getting their support on something that the future generations will surely benefit.

AC Dimatatac

At the same time, this has also been taken up by the nuclear lobby in order to push forward their nuclear agenda on Philippine soil.

However, we here at Greenpeace believe that quick fixes, PR and rehash of old problems fall short of taking ‘genuine’ actions. Thus in the face of climate change, we here from what is known as the most-vulnerable least-prepared countries for climate impacts would like to push forward for a revolution!

An Energy [R]evolution!

In his song Quitin’ Time Robert Hoyt called on the people to: “Slam on the brakes and make a U Turn from the brink!”

No truer statement can be said of the Energy [R]evolution as the word ‘revolution’ itself comes from the Latin revolutio, “a turn around.” Thus by its nature it is a fundamental change in power structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time and now more than ever is a time for us to turn around from the destructive path of fossil fuel dependence.

The Energy [R]evolution is a rallying call to all of us to have a vision of a greener and peaceful future that is finally unbound from the spectre of runaway climate change.

It is about sharing the vision of a revolutionary way of producing, distributing and consuming our precious energy, in such a way that it would promote equity, lessen C02 emissions and push forward for a more sustainable way to live –a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature.

On the other hand this vision is obscured by the nuclear lobby in the energy sector that are pushing for government investment on nuclear power, by presenting it as a silver bullet solution to energy security, cheaper power rates and an alternative for coal.

When the true costs of nuclear energy are compared to the true benefits of renewable energy technologies, the choice is almost too obvious. In a world on a quest for energy security and solutions to climate change, investment in nuclear power makes little sense.

The real solutions to the energy security and climate change are available now. And nuclear power, the most dangerous and expensive source of electricity, is not in this equation. Instead, these solutions are ready to be delivered by renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The deployment of renewable power requires little to no fuel inputs in order to harness free and clean energy sources like the sun, wind, mini-hydro, geothermal and modern biomass which are widely available throughout the country.

The potential for renewable energy in the Philippines is vast and far greater than that of nuclear power or fossil fuels. Wind and solar energy plants in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan de Oro are already showing that these solutions are working. But we need more. Our renewable energy potential unfortunately remains largely untapped.

Any effective response to energy demand in a world facing climate change involves enormous expansion in our use of renewables and a complete abandonment of nuclear power. Our policy makers should move on from promoting expensive, outdated and dangerous nuclear systems.

That is why in response to this we are going out to sow the seeds of the Energy [R]evolution, as over the weekend we have started our Energy [R]evolution road show starting with Pangasinan as earlier this year its provincial board members have voted 7 to adopt a resolution on the construction of nuclear power plants from South Korea along the province’s coastline.

Stay tuned.

The revolution is underway…

Chuck Baclagon

Early this morning a handful of Greenpeace volunteers and concerned citizens together with Fr. Robert Reyes, Former Representative Nereus Acosta and Former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary, Bebeth Gozun braved Commonwealth Avenue, in Quezon City all the way to Batasan Pambansa, starting their march from Quezon City Hall, where Fr. Reyes was able to speak about the ‘real state of the nation’ in as far as the water crisis that Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon are experiencing as the Angat Watershed’s dam reached a historical low of 157.55 masl last July 16 despite the rains, triggering interrupted water supply in Metro Manila.  Prompting water utility companies to implement a water rationing scheme to address the dwindling volume of water in the reservoir.

Along the way we were met with other groups of various political persuasions, causes, campaigns and ideologies. What can be found to be interesting here is that the number of us marching for clean water and addressing climate change impacts is but insignificant as compared to the sheer crowds that flocked the way to Batasan Pambansa –in a way giving us an idea about how far we are still in the struggle for clean water and the need to protect and conserve the remaining water supply.

Our march ended when we were finally able to reach Barangay Batasan Hills as we were forced to stop right before St. Peter Parish as the Philippine National Police has blocked it with barbed wires and container vans in order to prevent the growing number of protestors from the groups that will be marching later in the afternoon from reaching Batasang Pambansa.

For our part Greenpeace is demanding that the administration of President Noynoy Aquino take immediate steps to address the climate impacts that are now affecting the Philippines every year. Climate change is undoubtedly the biggest challenge the Philippines faces today, and the vulnerability of our water resources to this phenomenon is a reality that can no longer be ignored. We hope that P-Noy’s SONA message will sound the alarm and catalyze genuine climate action and protection for our fresh water sources.

Chuck Baclagon

Where does water come from?  A question that has been asked of me unexpectedly in one of the meetings I’ve attended for a cause.  I was taken aback for it was actually the first time that I heard someone asked that kind of question.  I then began formulated uncertain answers such as “from the faucet?” or “from the purified water station near our apartment?” or rather “from the sea?”  Could be, right?  And from that moment on, I keep on asking myself, “where does water really come from?”  This is the question that all of us ought to know the answer.

We all know that one of the basic needs of human for survival is water.  We are all dependent on water, from washing of our clothes and dishes, taking a bath, cooking, and the like.  But the most important role of water in our lives is by serving as the fuel for us to live.  Without water our life is at stake, our life would be in danger.  Having this concern for humankind, Greenpeace and its Youth Solar Generation Pilipinas focused on the parched Angat Watershed which is the main source of water in Metro Manila.

Greenpeace and its Youth Solar Generation Pilipinas Team, in commemoration of the World Environment Day, organized an event to witness the current situation of Angat Watershed that has dried up due to El Niño phenomenon that has wallop the country for months.  The team left around 6:30 in the morning for Angat Watershed which is an hour and a half away from Metro Manila.  Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by the National Power-Angat Watershed Area Team or also known as the AWAT and they led us to the conference area wherein they feed us with information about the current situation of the dam.  Mendel S. Garcia, Chief, Angat Watershed Area Team, gave us a talk on managing the dam reservation.  The first thing to do in protecting our source of water is to implement stricter laws in the forest that surrounds the dam.  And I believe not just forest that surrounds the dam but for our remaining forest that has been the victim of illegal loggers.  We must be aware that it is important to preserve the forest for it serves as the habitat of species that most are already endangered.  Aside from implementing of laws, he also mentioned reforestation and agro forestry, tree planting, lobbying and provision of livelihood in protecting the reservoir.  In addition, Francis Dela Cruz, Greenpeace Public Outreach Campaigner, also gave a talk on the origin and the significant of the World Environment Day.  He emphasized that it is a must for us to take good care of the planet.  “Planet Earth doesn’t have planet B,” he reiterated.  He also encouraged campaigners and individuals to realize the importance of water before it’s too late.  “Stop polluting our existing water resources,” Dela Cruz said.  Based on the research, human beings don’t really care on their usage of water.  According to the statistics 2.2 centimeters of water in the dam recedes everyday, 120 liters are used by humans and 30 liters are wasted from leaks.  This goes to show that we are not that thrifty enough in the use of our water resources.

After the talk, AWAT took as to some focal points of the watershed for us to see for ourselves the current situation of the dam that provides water for Metro Manila.  It is so overwhelming to have been there but on the contrary, it is frustrating to see that the water from the dam is continuously receding and we are doing nothing to prevent it.  If this phenomenon continuous, there wouldn’t be enough water to satisfy all our needs in the coming years.  That is why being aware and being conscious of what is happening in our environment is very crucial.

The Youth of Solar Generation Pilipinas has much to say on what they have observed during the bearing witness Trip.  Jeffrey Wintson Lazaro, SG Pilipinas member, was alarmed by what he saw.  “It is an eye opener for us that we really must conserve water.  Coming from Bacolod City with abundant water resources and without experiencing this kind of water problem and shortages, I was so surprised to see the very little amount of water left knowing that it provides water for Metro Manila,” Lazaro said.

Aside from Greenpeace Supporters and Solar Generation members, some members of PETA also showed their support in commemorating the World Environment Day.  Patrizsa Lugartos, PETA member, has shown her concern by pledging for Greenpeace that she must conserve and use water wisely.  For her, it is her way to help all those who benefit the water from the dam.  As a Solar Generation member, I really find it depressing to see the dam being emptied due to our lack of concern not just for the water but for the planet as a whole. This only shows that we, as a stewards of this planet, don’t care that much.  But on the other hand, it is heartwarming to know that aside from me, having this concern for the world, there are also people who have the heart in voicing out their concern for the planet.  Buhawi “Buwi” Meneses, Bass Guitarist of Parokya Ni Edgar and Franco, also participated and he was also surprised of what has become of the popular Angat Watershed.  It was actually his birthday last June 4 and according to him, he considered the invitation to witness the watershed as a gift to himself before doing other personal matters.  As a resident of Metro Manila, he’s as well worried of what might have become if this thing continuous.  With him and the rest of the Greenpeace supporters and Youth of Solar Generation Pilipinas witnessed the alarming watershed.  If only the people of this planet work hand in hand, then the solution to the problem would be taken into action.

At this point, I realized that knowing the answer from the question “where did our water come from?” is merely significant.  If we know where, then it would be much easier for us to discern our actions in being stewards of this planet.  Let us act now before it’s too late.  We must remember, the clock keeps on ticking, and we can never go back once it stops.  Save water, save our planet.

Yhurri Mahinay / Solar Generation – Pilipinas

The news today out of Washington has been somewhat promising, but these are small steps in a very long march towards a clean energy economy — an economy with none of the potential for massive ecological destruction such as we’ve seen in the Gulf.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) Director Elizabeth Birnbaum submitted her resignation letter this morning. Also today the Obama Administration renewed a moratorium in the pristine Beaufort and Chukchi seas in Alaska for the next 6 months, canceled the pending lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Virginia, and suspended action on 33 wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Greenpeace welcomes any and all investigations of the root causes of the BP Deepwater Disaster. Furthermore, Greenpeace welcomes the President’s call to develop clean, renewable sources of energy. These are all positive steps.

But preventing another massive ecological disaster can only be guaranteed by a complete and permanent legislative ban on all new drilling off of America’s coasts.

To put today’s news into perspective: The Washington Post is reporting that BP’s oil spill in the Gulf is officially the largest in American history, and the company’s latest round of bungling attempts at stopping this massive flow have not been successful. Enough is enough.

In order to move forward from this tragedy in a meaningful way, Congress must:

• Ban all new offshore drilling so that no more of America’s coastlines are threatened with ecological catastrophes such as the BP Deepwater Disaster and oil spill;
• Place stricter regulations on extractive industries (coal and oil) to make them safer and more accountable for the damage they cause;
• And pass legislation that jumpstarts the clean energy revolution.

Also, Arctic Alaska must be taken off the table permanently. Harsh weather and ice-infested waters are the norm in the region, and the risk of blowouts is even higher than in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil spill “clean-up” in the remote environment, where the nearest Coast Guard station is a thousand miles away, is even more impossible than it is in the relatively more hospitable and accessible Gulf. As a result of today’s announcements, Arctic Alaska is out of harm’s way for a mere 6 months. Shell’s Arctic drilling threatens distinctive species such as polar bears, walrus, seals and whales, as well as the Alaskan Native communities who have relied on them for culture and subsistence for millennia. Alaska’s Arctic and its inhabitants deserve better.

We can not afford another catastrophe on the scale of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy — especially in Alaska where oil spill response infrastructure is virtually non-existent. We’re learning in the Gulf that there is no such thing as cleaning up an oil spill.

Half measures, loopholes, and giveaways to polluters won’t cut it this time. Now is the moment for action.

Because of today’s announcements concerning the suspension of pending leases in Alaska, we have happily closed our online petition calling on Interior Secretary Salazar to ban Arctic drilling. But your members of Congress still need to hear from you. Sign our petition to Congress telling them that now is the time for a permanent ban on ALL new offshore drilling.

The Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a disaster unfolding before our eyes. Eleven lives were lost in the initial explosion, and that incalculable loss is compounded daily as oil continues to flow.

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As I walked in the 5 hectares of land in Brgy. Mangumbali, Candaba Pampanga, I can feel the land crumbling under my feet. The land is so dried that Mr. Numeriano Alabado was not able to harvest any rice crop that he planted in his area. His fields are now full of bigcracks that if you’re not cautious, the soil might collapse.

Their water source is from UPRIS-Upper Pampanga River Irrigation System.Pantabangan Dam is the main source of their irrigation system, because the dam has stopped supplying water due to drought; their rice lands have been destroyed. Almost all the farmers in this town have lost their income due to extreme drought. All of them we’re saying that this was the first time that they’ve experienced this kind of phenomenon.

The local government provided them aid by giving them STW or Shallow Tube Well but its already late to be use for this season because of lack of water. For them, only rain could restore their devastated lands.

A.C. Dimatatac

We’re on our last day of our travel in the drought affected lands of Central and North Luzon. We went to Brgy. San Isidro in Naguilan, La Union wherein we met some farmers who are members of Pakisama, an organization which is into sustainable agriculture and supports capacity building of  farmers in the North.

Mr. Ronaldo B. Calica, a farmer whose crops are mainly corn, said that this is the worst drought ever. The sources of water in their area are the small creeks nearby and they are mostly dependent to rain. According to him, the last rainfall they had was when typhoon Pepeng hit the country last October 2009. After that, they didn’t experience any rainfall at all. He normally earns around 10 to 15 thousand pesos from his 1 hectare of corn but now it’s zero balance. He spent too much for the gasoline of his water pump and fertilizers but it was all for nothing because his land got dried up due to insufficient supply of water. He showed us his corn crops that are so small he can no longer use it.

On the other hand, Mr. Jessie Castillione, a farmer since his elementary years, showed us his vegetable farms that were also destroyed by the extreme drought. His crops are long beans (sitaw) and bitter gourd (ampalaya) and they all got dried up even though it’s near the creek. He also shared to us that his rice lands have gotten affected by the landslide caused by Pepeng. His rice land submerged into the sand and it would take time before he can plant any crops on it.

As we walked around their fields I can see how much they have lost due to this phenomenon and as I listened to their stories, I know they really put a lot of effort in trying to save their crops. All they’re hoping and praying now is rain, because that is the only thing that can save their source of living.

A.C. Dimatatac

]]> https://greenpeacesoutheastasia.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/chernobyl-day/ Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:35:36 +0000 Chuck Baclagon https://greenpeacesoutheastasia.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/chernobyl-day/ From the Nuclear Reaction blog

Twenty four years ago today, the Number 4 reactor exploded at Chernobyl. It was the worst nuclear accident the world has ever seen.

Two people were killed in the explosion. Thirty-seven died of acute radiation sickness soon afterwards. According to engineers who were there, dozens were killed while building the reactor’s concrete sarcophagus. More than 2,000 villages around Chernobyl were contaminated by radioactivity. More than 330,000 people were evacuated and relocated. Statistics predict approximately 270,000 cancers and 93,000 fatal cancer cases will be caused by Chernobyl. At least three million children required medical treatment. The effect on the health of the survivors and their children has been devastating: accelerated ageing, cardiovascular and blood illnesses, psychological illnesses, chromosomal aberrations and an increase in foetal deformations.

Twenty-four years later and how do things look? Not good. There are few signs of improvement around Chernobyl. Although at first sight nature appears to be recovering, scientific research has shown continuing impacts on the wildlife in the most contaminated areas. People have started to move back to the villages and fields they had abandoned despite them being dangerous places to live.

Greenpeace took samples in the village of Bober, outside the exclusion zone in 2006. The analysis revealed levels of radioactive contamination 20 times higher than the threshold used in the European Union to define dangerous radioactive waste. Unfortunately, the Chernobyl accident is no longer an issue in the public eye. The victims – especially in the Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia – receive little or no attention or assistance in tackling their health and social problems.

© Greenpeace/Robert Knoth

Annya Pesenko, from Belarus, is one of hundreds of thousands of Chernobyl victims. Bedridden and pain-racked with a brain tumour, she suffers because of a nuclear accident that happened in 1986, before she was even born.

Serious nuclear accidents took place before Chernobyl and continue to happen right up to the present day. The new generation of nuclear reactors now promoted as being safer than their predecessors have their own serious design flaws and safety concerns.

It’s way past time we admitted nuclear power was and is a terrible mistake. There are alternatives.

UPDATE: Greenpeace teams around the world have beem marking Chernobyl Day…

Italy:

France:

Turkey:

Posted by Justin on April 26, 2010 2:2

Bgy.Caingin San Rafael

After 8 days of camping out in Angat Dam to monitor the fast receding rate of the water levels, Water Watch Project takes on the surrounding agricultural lands.

The first farmland that the team head on is Barangay Caingin San Rafael, Bulacan. For those farmers who started planting rice last January, their farmlands have already been affected by El Niño. Mr. Leoncio Hernandez, a farmer with 3 hectares of land relay his story by showing his green fields in which the land is starting to dry up due to the scarcity of water. He said that rice crops can still be harvested but it will be mostly just ipas or empty shells. The water source of their farmlands comes from Angat Dam but since the dam stop supplying water for irrigation their rice land now suffers more. During the first week of April they were trying to save their fields by pumping what little water they can from a small creek nearby. But now even the creek is drying up. He said that if they won’t still have water this week, they won’t be able to save their rice crops.

A.C. Dimatatac

In any case, we found it prudent to do the trek after Cesar and company have the footage they need, otherwise they might not make it back to Manila in time to edit for the evening news.

Beau, AWAT head Mr. Mendel Garcia and I took the GMA crew to the headwaters, where the largest tributary, Matulid River, feeds into Angat.  As expected, we could only take even the inflatable boat so far. The water was so low that pieces of discarded fishing nets littered the water and some got tangled in the boat prop. Boat master JP was still able to dock, and we left him to handle the mess while we climbed up one side of the riverbank that used to be underwater to try and get a better view of Matulid farther up.

It was a magnificent view, but saddening at the same time, since all we could see even from that high vantage point was an almost empty river that had a thin veil of liquid passing over grey, muddy silt. Maybe Romi Garduce’s kayak team would have better luck crossing this area. We were hoping that the river wasn’t as bad upstream, in Anoling, which we hope to see if the kayaks are able to get through this silty area, or if we’re able to cross through Kamanoyo.

The GMA crew got all the footage they need, shooting from the dry riverbed in the headwaters. So after eating a hearty lunch back at camp, the news crew went back to Manila, while Roda, rangers Andok, Lando and myself went to Kamanoyo to try and cross to Anoling, guided by Bubot, a young Dumagat.

We were a bit worried because of the time (it was almost 3pm when the boat team dropped us in Kamanoyo). We decided that if an hour and a half has passed and we still haven’t reached Anoling, we would turn back in order to be able to trek down while there was still a bit of sunlight.

Kamanoyo didn’t look much like a body of water, which was characteristic of most Angat tributaries by this time. We were hoping that the mighty Matulid is still an exception.  We had a hard time finding a place to get down, as areas between the receding waters of Angat and solid ground in Kamanoyo was filled with grey quicksand. Kudos to the boat team for great navigation in waters that seemed to get lower everyday and was filled with sharp “tuods” (dead petrified trees that were in the waters) that could easily put an inflatable out of commission.

We finally got to solid ground by hopping and balancing on fallen, petrified logs. We probably looked like circus performers.

The mountain between Kamanoyo and Anoling is beautiful. I didn’t expect to see a patch of virgin forest so close to Metro Manila, but there it was. Too bad we were rushing because of the waning sunlight.

The trail was challenging enough, even with a guide. Luckily, we were able to reach the peak in about 45 minutes. Sadly though, what we found there was alarming – a large area had just been burnt down, apparently for “kaingin.” Even the rangers were shocked. The place was still smoking. If we hadn’t climbed today, AWAT would have only found out about this much later. It remains a mystery who the culprits are, but as you’re reading this now, Andok and Lando would probably be hot on their trail. Hopefully they’ll be brought quickly to justice.

After letting the rangers take a quick assessment of the kaingin situation, we continued on our trek down the other side.  In a little over a half-hour, we finally reached the tiny community of Anoling, which looked almost deserted.

Since it was fast becoming dark, we just made a quick survey of the surroundings and then decided we would have more time and resources to explore the river and the area better when we go back with Romi and the documentation team composed of mountaineers and rowers.

So after rushing back through Kamanoyo with barely enough sunlight to spare to rendezvous with the boat team and ride back to the Water Watch Camp, I retire to my tent for the meantime to give this tired shell of a body some rest. I expect more challenges tomorrow, with Romi and his mates arriving to lend a hand in the expeditions…

JP Agcaoili

Also, some runners wore masks of the 7 presidential candidates and some held placards with a message challenging the presidential candidates to take up environmental concerns in their campaign platforms, especially since these issues impact on basic needs: clean energy, clean water and safe food. Our participation in the UPBM Run for Trails 2010 is part of the Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) which aims to focus on the environment platforms of electoral candidates. This year’s Earth Run is very significant as we are in an election year, and we are also in the midst of a very warm summer in an El Nino year.

After the run, UPBM gathered all the runners for awarding and our very own Francis Joseph Dela Cruz gave a small talk about how important it is to conserve our forests. He also gave emphasis on the national elections this coming May that we should all exercise our right to vote and to vote wisely. He said that the current drought is a clear signal that securing our water supply must be a top priority for the next government which is why Greenpeace calls on the public through the Water Watch Project to seriously practice water conservation measures at home, such as reusing water, fixing water leakages and avoiding water wastage in any form. Presidential candidates also must inform the public how they will deal with this growing crisis during the first 100 days in office.

Jenny Tuazon