The need to engage people in conserving environment

September 24, 2011 will be remembered for the worldwide activities meant to create greater awareness about the urgent need to address the global climate crisis that has wrought havoc and disorder in many communities. The day was marked with colorful mass actions—biking, skating and marches in many countries, including the United States, South Africa, Colombia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Vietnam, Australia, Nigeria, Brazil, India, Turkey and Ghana.

The Philippines for its part went into “Tree Planting for Watershed Restoration, Agroforestry and Upland Sustainable Agriculture” at Sitio Panusugin, San Jose, Antipolo City. This was spearheaded by the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham), Junior Agham PUP Chapter, Kalingap Marikina Watershed, San Jose Chapel Growers’ Association, Philippine Climate Watch Alliance and Kalikasan.

The activity mobilized more than 200 volunteers who planted 200 bamboo seedlings for erosion prevention in certain parts of the Marikina forest and along rivers. The tree planting was part of the continuing effort to reforest the Marikina Watershed, where hardwood and fruit-bearing trees were planted last year.

The Marikina Watershed sustains life not only for Antipolo’s immediate communities but also for most part of Metro Manila. It is the metropolis’ source of potable water.

If we may emphasize, the tree planting activity was meant more than reducing people’s carbon footprints; more importantly, it was meant to  engage people into making concrete, progressive steps to arrest the intensifying impacts of climate change. By educating people on the realities and tragedies of the climate crisis, we must convince people that there is no greater way to address the crisis but to unite in challenging the big nations and corporations that emit substantial amounts of carbon dioxide to desist from practices that destroy the environment.

All men and women, regardless of country, race or religion, should help address the global climate crisis. The overall goal is to bring to the streets as many people as possible, in a show of strength, to demand a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emission.

The September 24 activities carried a deeper meaning for many Filipinos still haunted by Typhoon “Ondoy.” The tree planting also paid tribute to those who perished in that catastrophe, even as we  hope that it will  remind our government and people that the environment we conserve today  will be our legacy to the next generation.

There is no better time than today to nurture and protect our environment, the basis of our life, of our whole being.

—DR. GIOVANNI TAPANG, chair, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham), PO Box 268 Araneta Center, 1135 Cubao, Quezon City