NatGeo: Before The Flood

Earlier today, I was able to catch Leonardo DiCaprio's recent documentary film, "Before the Flood" on National Geographic Channel.

It tackles about climate change -- the most important issue in our planet today that we all share.

It offers a comprehensive view as Leonardo DiCaprio traveled across the globe to understand environmental situations in developed and developing nations, as well as having meaningful discussions with experts, green movers, and world leaders on what we should do NOW to prevent further damage to our planet.

Its scope touched different facets that its viewing time lasted to an hour and thirty minutes. Nevertheless, it was informative, moving, and could spark voluntary change to each of its viewers.

Our climate crisis today is a product of our excessive human activity -- activities that all required fossil fuels from the depths of the earth, producing carbon that harms the fragile layers of the atmosphere. Thus, resulting to global warming, melting glaciers, rising sea level, destroying ecosystems both in land and water, and changing weather patterns that make drought and typhoons more catastrophic.

All of these are happening now, and it is expected to get worse as we continue to pursue advanced technologies and urban lifestyle that only aims to "make life more convenient" at the expense of spoiling the only earth we have.

While the number one culprit is the burning of fossil fuels necessary to sustain our daily activities, the documentary also exposed how the choices we make in supermarkets contribute to the ongoing deforestation in Indonesia to convert the lush rainforest to palm oil plantation. Aside from the danger of its carbon emission, the deforestation has killed thousands of its inhabitants, prompting volunteers to save and protect the remaining ones.

"The reason why people keep chopping forests to plant palm oil is because people keep buying the stuff."

But how are we going to avoid palm oil if almost everything in our grocery shelves contain one -- from cooking needs to producing shampoo, soap, junk food, laundry soap, and cosmetics among many others?

However DiCaprio said, "If these products have such devastating impact, why is the government not setting restrictions to prevent these big corporations from destroying the planet just so they can save money?"

And that's where corporate greed and government corruption comes along as the answer.

In the US, 'Climate Bill' hasn't been passed and there is an ongoing campaign by climate change deniers allegedly funded by fossil fuel corporations. The campaign tags climate change as a hoax, discrediting scientists and environmental advocates who devoted their lives to bring awareness and address this issue.

Unlike its powerful counterpart in Asia, China has changed its government policy after mass demonstrations over environmental concerns sparked.

Today,China's policy is towards renewable energy, moving away from using fossil fuels and transitioning to green growth. It is claimed that China has the largest wind and solar companies in the world now. And through media cooperation, The Republic Peoples of China can monitor carbon activity of factories through their smartphones.

So far, what has been done is a collective effort and commitment from 55 different nations all over the globe is to reduce carbon emissions, agreed during the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.

However, critics say its agreements does not include penalties and regulations to those who fail to comply. But more than this agreement is the call to stop using fossil fuels and start investing in renewable energy. The sun and wind isn't a scarce resource and putting our money to something that will not diminish, no matter how expensive is better than to ones not sustainable.

More importantly, solving the climate crisis is not all about changing government policies and ending the use of fossil fuels, it's all about changing our lifestyle. It starts within us, and it is up to us how are we going to save this place for future generations. After all, companies will not exploit our diminishing resources if not for the significant number of demand. We have to change our ways and be involved in this issue, and we have to do it now before it's too late.

Full documentary can be viewed here.

A number of articles can be also found here at www.beforetheflood.com written by climate scientists and communicators, as well as ways on how you can support the cause.

#climatechange #beforetheflood #natgeo #opinion #globalwarming #environment #greenenergy #deforestation

Growing Economy & Agriculture in PH

In two weeks time, the Aquino administration will be leaving the Republic of the Philippines to its 16th President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Before we witness the inauguration and officially welcome the change that was promised, I would like to write how I see my country at the present and what "change" I am looking forward from the next administration.

Throughout the six-year term of Noynoy Aquino as President, we've heard many times in the news about the positive growth of our nation's economy. From the "Sick Man of Asia", Philippines has earned the name of "The Rising Star in Asia." Even Steve Forbes, a business magazine executive have lauded PNoy on its efforts in maintaining a strong economic performance in the ASEAN region.

But despite the consistent reports, many if not all, still question the authenticity of the figures. Some don't understand how experts calculate such matters and arrive at such conclusions, while others simply cannot feel the positive growth that Daang Matuwid has brought into the table.

If we look at the Philippines from then and now, we can actually find traces that reflects our economic position that some of us may be actually enjoying:

If you happen to live in a metropolis, you may have noticed many high-rise condominiums and business towers, supermalls, and master-planned communities start to rear your city. Supermalls compete in bringing high-end international brands and restaurants, and houses several BPOs which provide jobs to many Filipinos, college graduate or not.

Flying across the 7,107 islands in the Philippines and to our neighbouring countries are now made affordable, even to university students who only rely to their weekly allowance.

And more and more individuals have access to owning cars and motorcycles that parade our not so modernized thoroughfares today.

Perhaps, these are some of the evidences of what our present administration is so proud about.

But if not for the shopping malls and other business establishments encouraging unnecessary consumerism and excessive materialism; of BPOs that guarantee employment and decent salary; of the few fortunate individuals, OFWS, and Filipinas married to foreigners investing in communities designed for modern living; of our booming tourism industry brought by discounted airfares; and low downpayment schemes and installment plans crafted by car and motor dealers, what else is there to back up the reported figures of our growing economy?

While it is thrilling to see businesses are thriving and a lot of urban development projects are happening around, it is frustrating to see that nothing much has been done for our agriculture industry.

Coming from a family whose main source of income is farming, I have witnessed how difficult it is for my parents to make ends meet. Once every three months, coconuts are harvested from my parents’ property. Though it is a couple of hectares, the income can barely last up to three months even with the additional income from intercrops such as bananas, cacao, among many others, simply because the buying price is low.

I find it ridiculous and unfair that businessmen get to dictate and set the price in buying our agricultural products.

It’s not a new story. It is a reality that’s been exposed many times that the poorest families in the Philippines come from the farming industry, and this problem in the agri sector does not only end with poverty.

Comparing the Philippines from other ASEAN nations, we have the most geographic advantage but we failed to develop and bring out its full potential to compete with other countries in time for ASEAN Integration as well as in Trans-Pacific Partnership as reported.

In short, we are left out even if we are keeping up with the global trend when it comes to fashion, architecture, technology, and culinary. Even our youth has not realized that there is future in agriculture, and numbers will show that we only have a few academic institutions and students interested at the said field.

If we think about it, Philippines is very blessed to be abundant in natural resources. But it is very ironic that we were not able to attain food security and sustainability over the years, despite having environmental assets both in land water that could feed an entire nation.

Worse, our farmers and farm workers who toil under harsh conditions only receive little or nothing at all. The demonstrations during the drought season that blocked some major roads in Davao, Kidapawan, and South Cotabato speaks how little is done to support the sector that feeds our country. Basically, the people who participated won’t tag along to the groups who lured them to protest if they had enough food on their tables, and if much needed assistance were provided to combat the anticipated El Nino phenomenon.

Having more than enough resources like ours, agriculture should be the priority as the backbone of our country, not businesses alone driving the wheel.

We are so glued to the wonders of urbanization as key indicator of development, that we forget that development is more than having high-rise buildings and shopping malls that offer leisure and convenience in one place, while we enjoy our favorite venti drink from Starbucks and wear stylish trends from Forever21 and Zara.

Urbanization is changing our agricultural landscape and it shouldn’t be this way. Our extensive lands and vast waters are godsend, and it is an advantage that we should use and strengthen through empowering our farmers and fisherfolks. Providing them the needed technological advancement, financial assistance, and introducing new farming initiatives and market opportunities does not only alleviate our agri industry from poverty -- strengthening this promising sector connects to many aspects that will ensure food security and sustainability, employment opportunities, stronger international trade, and an inclusive growth in our economy.

To the next administration, I am certain that the President and his chosen Secretary for Agriculture will make a comprehensive roadmap for the sector as soon as they assume in office. But let this piece just be a reminder not to neglect our farmers again. Over 15 million Filipinos including hopeful farmers have trusted their lives and future to the man known with “Tapang at Malasakit”.

May his “Tapang” truly lead and end oligarchy and not to favor businesses dominating in alsmost everything; and may his “Malasakit” reflect in implementing his pro-poor programs for the next six years, especially to our hard-working and dedicated farmers who deserve so much more than seeds and financial loans from the government.

#agriculture #philippines #opinion

Lumads in the City

It is known to many Davaoenos that every Christmas Season, our lumad brothers and sisters from the mountains of Paquibato and Marilog flock the busy streets of Davao to ask for alms and Christmas gifts. But to them, their short visit here is more than just asking for alms -- it is an opportunity to wander around the city, enjoy the colorful Christmas lights that illuminate the metropolis, and experience the things they don't have in the uplands. Every year, they do this even if they have to struggle with other lumad families in gymnasiums where they are housed temporarily.

With the help of the City Govermnment and well-wishers, they are given free transportation, temporary shelter, 24-hour security, 2 trucks of water supply a day, and food ration every other day.

While they enjoy these perks, it is apparent that their condition in the shelter areas is difficult and inhumane. They have to eat and sleep with other thousands of lumads even if the surroundings are dirty. There are no enough rest rooms which would cause sanitary and health problems. In Buhangin Gym alone, data shows that there are more than 2,000 lumads of 600 families staying there this yuletide season.

Apart from their temporary living conditions, another difficulty they have to endure is discrimination. Even if we don’t admit it, we, the luckier ones, have looked them down once or twice, or even more. It may be a form of ignoring or teasing them, and some may even have done cruelty or have thrown demeaning words to drive them away.

I chanced to interview one lumad named Maricel. According to her, they are humans too. They also get hurt every time people shoo them away.

For Davao City councilor Berino Mambo-o and other IP leaders, it is better for the IPS to stay in their homes and just wait for the Christmas gifts. But most IPs prefer to go down since it has been the city’s tradition and it gives them joy that cannot be found yet in the highlands.

While it is true that it is more ideal for our IP brothers and sisters to stay in the highlands and just wait for the Christmas presents from the government and well-wishers, it is obvious that the city lights and all that we have here are the things they keep on coming back for. It gives them hope to dream big and have a better life.

Yet with the difficulties and discrimination they face every time they go here, would it be best if the government would increase their efforts in providing them good quality and free education? With that, our IP brothers and sisters will be more able, responsible, and knowledgeable.

If they become more knowledgeable, discrimination will eventually stop. If they become more responsible and able, they have more chances to have decent work, earn bigger income, and have bigger chances to turn their dreams to reality. And all these are only attainable through education.