(Happy?) International Biodiversity Day

May 22 was the International Day for Biological Diversity, this year focusing on Biodiversity and Climate Change. This is an acknowledgement of the fact that it's not just humans who are dealing with the issue of climate change. Animals and plants around the world have had to adapt to the rapidly changing climate as well, particularly in the polar regions, forests, coral reefs, and so on. Scientists fear that around 1/3 of all the species could die out by 2050.

A Forum on Biodiversity and Climate Change organized by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau was held on May 23 at the National Institute of Geological Sciences in UP Diliman, which Precious, KT and I attended. Speakers from different fields were at the forum to talk about various issues like the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change, landscape management, and the conservation of biodiversity.

People from academic institutions, the media, and organizations like WWF-Philippines were also at the forum. The presence of people coming from various sectors emphasized just how big of an issue climate change is, and the fact that it knows no borders, locally and globally.

A lot of people were concerned about the action plan of the government, although no concrete answers were given with respect to this. In summary, in responding to climate change, the following points were mentioned: 1) change in lifestyle, 2) programs by local government units, 3) implementation of national policies by national government agencies, and 4) development of a national action plan.

Well, we've heard it all before. I mean, anyone from SolarGeneration could've told them that, hehe. But I think the relevance of the forum is that we got to see just how concerned different people are about the issue, and their willingness to establish common ground -- they'll be having further discussions on climate change issues of concern everyone shares within the Philippine setting, and subsequently formulating recommendations and concrete steps to take.

Of course, we don't have to be satisfied with just sitting back while everyone else makes plans. That's why we're SolarGeneration, right? :)

Youth and Climate Change

Today, I presented in class a summary of SolarGen activities (i.e. skillshare and IPCC WG3 meeting activities) from April 27 to May 3 in Bangkok, Thailand. I had to be away from school for a week to be there and, naturally, my Environmental Science (ES) classmates and teachers were curious about what exactly I had been up to. Needless to say, it was a great opportunity to talk about both the issue of climate change and what young people (specifically SolarGen) are doing about it.

I launched into a narration of all the planning, painting (of banners), picture-taking (seriously, being in the presence of so many people from the media is an experience like no other, hehe), fruit-shake-blending (with the aid of solar power), and dancing (to the song It's Getting Hot in Here) we did in Bangkok. I would like to think all our hard work paid off in the sense that we were able to communicate the kind of future we wanted to the people we encountered (Dr. Pachauri who heads the IPCC, the Ministers of Energy and the Environment, and the Thai public in general).

So after talking about SG activities, considering that my audience included ES majors, I also talked about the different energy technologies, from solar and wind (go renewable!) to nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage (boo dirty energy and untried technologies!). I also discussed the key principles of the Energy [R]evolution (the Energy [R]evolution report is a really useful resource, by the way -- you can download it here). To close the presentation, I mentioned the key outcomes of the assessment report produced by the IPCC after meeting in Bangkok, and asked the question, "What now?"

For governments, one of the next steps later this year is meeting in Bali, Indonesia to discuss the next phase of the Kyoto Protocol (post-first commitment period from 2008 to 2012).

For us, as young people, we should step up to our role as major stakeholders. As young people today, we are the ones with the most at stake. Ten, twenty years down the road, we're the ones who will be dealing with the issue of climate change, and not the decision-makers today. It's us who will be facing the consequences of whatever they do or don't do. So we should stand up and act for the kind of future we want, one with clean, renewable energy powering sustainable growth. :)

(Offtopic: The glory of having written the first ever entry on the SG Manila blog belongs to me, heehee!)

What Does it Mean to Give? by Erika Sales, GP Supporter-Volunteer

I am involved with various people from different non-profits, with different causes and we assist them on fund raising or how to teach others "The Joy of Giving." When you do this practically everyday as part of your profession, you see and feel that people do not give to causes but to people who live for causes.

And that's why I Continue to Give to Greenpeace.

When I was invited to join the 4th Annual Trail Run in Baguio as volunteer, I called up Abi Jabines immediately and said yes to this opportunity. It was the perfect time to immerse myself with Greenpeace (GP) -- to give not just my PhP150 every month through my account, but to actually give my time, talent and trust to the organization.

This will never be possible without my friends who are committed to this cause.

I saw them in action in Baguio and was impressed. From their looks of persistence (considering they were tired and hungry) as they were setting up their exhibit and their level of enthusiasm as they talk to walking strangers. Their Direct Dialogue Campaign in SM Baguio was embraced by locals, gathering 33 sign-ups, exceeding their target of 20 sign-ups that day.

Yup, Greenpeace's greatest assets are its People.

I am more than proud that I am one of its Supporter-Volunteer.