Learning and Living the Green Life in the Philippines

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Earth Hour 2012

Switching off lights is indeed more fun in the Philippines, where millions join you in the temporary darkness. Smiles do sparkle in the dark. Family and friends, neighbors and strangers, all come together, to participate yearly, in cheerful mood. It must be the spirit of the "bayanihan." Group volunteerism, working unified, demonstrating "people power" --- that's where we Filipinos shine the brightest.

It has been, in fact, consecutive years already that the Philippines has been topping all the other countries in terms of participating towns and cities. Should this year be any different? I would love to see more of us joining than in the previous years, but if other countries do beat us in the numbers game, that'd be great for us all, right? It's all about sending the message to more people. We are all responsible for our planet.

 

Official Earth Hour 2012 Video

 

World Water Day 2012 : Regret and Resolve

I didn't know it was World Water Day yesterday until I read yesterday's paper today. Regrets.

It's not so bad as one I had when I came home one day and found my faucet running. Forgetfullness caused me accidental, unintentional neglect. I wasted water. I was guilty. From then on, I became more cautious to make sure all taps and even power consumers are off when we leave home. Resolve. We find ways to solve our problems and avoid new ones.

World Water Days aren't holidays of funfare. They are there to remind us of our responsibilities.We SHOULD and we, actually, CAN do something.

The UN cites a few examples of what we can do: "follow a healthier, sustainable diet; consume less water-intensive products; reduce the scandalous food wastage: 30% of the food produced worldwide is never eaten and the water used to produce it is definitively lost!produce more food, of better quality, with less water." 

Learn more about the world's water situation, visit the United Nation's Website:

UN World Water Day Website

View pictures as contributed by the Guardian, click:

World Water Day Photos from the Guardian

 

A green earth cannot be possible without water. Learn Green. Love Green. Live Green. 

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WORD FROM THE SPONSOR

 Surely God is my salvation;    I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense;    he has become my salvation.”  With joy you will draw water    from the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:2-3

VERTICAL CITIES CONFERENCE

VERTICAL CITIES CONFERENCE

Marcus Evans

Large Scale International up Coming Conference
Date: 5th to 7th March 2010
Venue: InterContinental Grand Stanford, Hong Kong

 

For details of the Conference follow this link:  http://www.verticalcities-lse.com

General Inquiries: Esther Wong - estherw@marcusevanskl.com

Overview of the Event from www.verticalcities-lse.com 

The epitome of Vertical Cities is an integration of buildings within a city life with important sociocultural implications. Vertical Cities is a collaboration of typical high-rise forms which includes retail malls and multi-use towers that stack and mix commercial, retail, and residential functions.

In a congested city, the main concerns are designing of sustainable high density built environments where the problems of urban sprawl, traffic congestion and pollution have threatened the prospects of biodiversity, greenery, livability and general well-being of the inhabitants. The solution to cope with high density cities is to build upwards. In the past, many countries have deployed tall buildings as a way to solve urban problems, while at the same time creating national identity for the country through a powerful skyline. Vertical cities are now a sought-after urban habitat in upcoming cities. Vertical cities are seen as the only solution to achieving economies of scale and to address issues pertaining to space, high land prices and density challenges.

 

Tour of the Fireflies Gallery of Heroes

It's a Bike Revolution... joyful, colorful, and meaningful.

 

 

Earth Hour : My Child's Hour

Earth Hour for kids, with kids and by kids.

My daughter is 6 years old and in the last 3 years, she's been with us, as we participated in some of the organized Earth Hour activities. She's very much "Earth Hour-aware". When we get home at night and she sees that most of the lights are off, with just the TV lights hinting that somebody's home, she'd remark, "O si Lola naka-Earth Hour." She has associated energy conservation acts with Earth Hour. And yes, she's knows the significance of Earth Hour and the ideals behind it. It's no surprise as her dad and mom espouse living the green life.

 

Beyond the Hour of the Earth Hour

 

Add more to the Earth Hour, your hour, our hour --- that is the call of this year's, 2011, EARTH HOUR celebration.

Winning the Environmental Prize

Come to think of it: everybody wins when something good is done for our planet, for its sustainability, which is ours as well.

Awards to endeavors that help address our environmental woes, improve our lives, and bring hope for the future, are very much welcome; thus, here I share one such award giving body's invitation. Support this undertaking. Spread the word. You might know of projects or groups who deserve to be recognized and you feel have to be emulated by everyone.

Preparing for the Rains

Having an umbrella won't just do for the upcoming rains, as forecasted by PAGASA. We're in the midst of Climate Change, and "extremes" is something we should always be ready for.