I know it may sound crazy but sometimes, I do stop to appreciate the beauty of a tree. Its branches are like arms reaching out to me as if saying “Come, stay under my shade. I know you’re tired. Rest for a while. The sun’s too hot.”

Its huge trunk engages me to hug it. It tells me, “I know people are more huggable than I am but try to hug me. Commune with life’s energies. Some say it’s a form of ‘healing.’”

Then, some of its leaves fall to my feet. They fell like confetti, as if there was a celebration. The last time this happened was when I was at the play “The Night Before Christmas.”

“I feel like a winner, with all the nature confetti around me.”

Yes, you are a winner, a champion of the environment if you realize the true worth of a tree.

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I was doing my usual internet surfing. I checked out Yahoo! Answers for the newest questions on the environment and guess what I found?! I found Matt Dillon asking “What are the most effective yet simple ways people can save energy?”

Looks like Yahoo! Answers is employing this strategy-celebrity question-to get people talking about a specific topic. It’s a good thing. Matt’s question, to date, has generated 2,734 answers (soon to be 2,735 after I answer it, haha). Note: Worldwatch Institute founder also gave out an answer. Well, for an advocate of energy efficiency, this is a laudable move. At least, Yahoo! is making something out of its popularity..

I’m sooo luvin’ Yahoo! now. Want to answer Matt Dillon’s question?

May 18, 2007 was declared as the Endangered Species Day in the United States. It was started last year with the aim to “encourage the people of the United States to become educated about, and aware of, threats to species, success stories in species recovery, and the opportunity to promote species conservation worldwide.”

The Endangered Species Act of the US is considered as the most successful conservation laws in the country.

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In the latest list released by WWF, the tiger landed as the most in-demand animal, meaning it is the most “bought, sold, smuggled, killed or captured for trade purposes.”

The most immediate threat to wild tigers is poaching for trade. Despite international and domestic bans, a thriving black market for tiger skins and bones threatens to wipe out wild tigers. China, with its booming economy, burgeoning human population and ancient traditions of using tiger parts as medicine and clothing, is the world’s leading consumer of tiger products. [wwf.worldwildlife.org]

Here are some advocacy videos geared towards saving tigers:

Other species cited by WWF as most endangered by international trade include red and pink coral, Asian rhinos, the European eel, African and Asian elephants, the figleaf mahogany found in central and South America, Asian elephants and great apes – including gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. [inthenews.co.uk]

Following the recent announcement of Halle Berry and boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey that they will become parents by the end of 2007, Berry was seen buying clothes for her little one (although as of press time it has not been confirmed whether they’d have a baby biologically or through adoption). Her shopping spree which reached $1000, included Pink organic foot pajamas and a kimono tee made from soybean fibers, at baby boutique Bel Bambini.

All the items she bought were intended for a baby girl. That got the people to conclude that the lovely couple would probably have a baby through adoption.

For other eco-stories of celebrities, visit ecorazzi.com.

In a survey made by the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific in 2005, it was found out that in eight major urban centers in the Asia-Pacific, the Philippines had the highest incidence of work absence due to asthma with a percentage of 46.6. If it affects adults in that severity, then it follows that the effects to children are even worse.

In a recent article entitled “Children with asthma have more emotional problems,” it was revealed that many children with asthma experience behavioral and developmental problems. The article was based on a study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, which collected data from a national health survey in the United States.

The good news is that there are people doing something to intensify research on child asthma. Watch this video:

On May 5, Saturday, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand will have an Asthma Balloon Day to raise funds for child asthma research. They will be having various activities across NZ all dedicated to widen the knowledge base on child asthma. To know more about this initiative, visit the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Website.

NZ’s move is a laudable one. I hope that the Philippine society will have the same drive to make a difference for asthmatic children. Air maintains life and gives nourishment. If the air that children breathe is polluted, then what nourishment does it give them? I’d classify that as junk food.

I hope that we can make solid steps to combat the primary cause of asthma in children - air pollution - to create livable communities, and the larger picture is a generation of healthy and bright Filipino kids.

I am a frequent bus rider. I use this mode of transportation at least five times a week. I am lucky if I chance upon an airconditioned bus. Most of the time I am left to no other choice but board a non-aircon bus, more popularly known as “ordinary,” here in the Philippines.

The traffic is excruciating. About half of the time spent in the whole bus ride is due to traffic. Sometimes, I doze off during the trip only to discover upon waking up that the bus has been snailing by. Also, the particulate matter emitted from other vehicles travels through my trachea into my lungs, lodging there forever (Read about ‘You are what you breathe‘ in this blog). Traffic contributes to the deterioration of our air. Another pervasive problem is that drivers do not have proper driving skills and they tend to idle in one area for more than 10 minutes while waiting for passengers.

Cognizant of all the disadvantages of this current transportation system, the bus rapid transit was introduced and its feasibility was studied.

When I was still working with the Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), I had the opportunity to be exposed in talks on the plan to promote BRT as a sustainable transport option in the Philippine capital. Of course, it is not an easy task as public utility drivers are sure to disapprove of it seeing it as a move that will only threaten their livelihood. But the BRT has illustrated benefits. See the Mexico success story in this video:

I can no longer wait to board on a bus, reach home early and have more time to hug my husband and little boy.

Sunrise

This is a picture of a ricefield in Laguna, Philippines. I took this shot at the beginning of the new year [literally]. I chose this photo for today’s entry to symbolize my vision for the future generations.

Just like in any special occasion, people always ask you what your wish is. This Earth Day, a day just as special as other days, I will loudly announce my wish and that is “for future generations to see more of this kind of sunrise in the decades to come.”

At the rate people are exploiting the resources today, I am unsure that the sunrise in the coming years will still be as clear like in the photo or will it be covered by smog?

If people continue to live without regard for the environment, maybe the next generations will no longer bear witness to the beauty of nature, the music of the vibrant animals, the bountiness of vegetation, the steady drops of rain water, the mild heat of the sun and soft cool breeze caressing their faces.

The sunrise stands for hope. Hope that our children will be wiser than us. That they relinquish their irresponsible stewardship of the earth and treat nature as their brother.

I dream of a world where there is clean air, nourishing water, fertile soil, gentle climate and harmonious living. I dream that dream for my bundle of joy:

I love you, Vito!

Earth Day 2007 is just a few days away. A lot of activities are going to happen on that day in several nations across the globe. However, there is one big question in my head, “what is Earth Day for?”

As I try to answer the question myself, I think that Earth Day is for kids, for the future generations, especially those who are underprivileged. Allow me to share with you the program that I conceptualized in 2004.

It’s called Adopt-a-Kid for the Environment, an environmental education campaign for streetchildren/sampaguita vendors in UPLB. The environment education program was constructed in an interactive way, through games and fun activities. That project earned me the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy 2004 award, which gave me the opportunity to go on an environmental field trip in Germany.

I successfully implemented it in February 2005. It has been sustained by my organization after I graduated from the university.

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Adopt-a-Kid for the Environment

By building a culture of environmentalism among young people, environmental efforts become more sustainable and long-term. “It’s time we hear their little voices.”

Each time I see them in the university, I always ask them who their environmental parent was. And it’s so amazing because they always give me the correct answer. When I ask them, “Why do you remember it well?” They reply, “Because they have made us see a very beautiful part of life. Before, we pitied ourselves because we’re poor but when we saw what you made us see, we realized that life is still beautiful.”

I remember Yangtze River from my Asian History class way back in high school. It was that particular lecture wherein my teacher emphasized the importance of river systems in the early civilizations.

China, whose civilization had been said to have stood the test of time, is currently facing a problem that literally stains Yangtze. Yangtze, pride of their civilization and the longest river in Asia, is now threatened because of worsening pollution. In Report: Yangtze Water Worsening, it was revealed that around 600 km of the said river is in critical condition.

Photo by Xinhua News

In 2006, according to Wikipedia, the baiji or river dolphin was already declared functionally extinct.

Today, it is feared that the river pig, also known as the finless porpoise, may follow suit because of the deteriorating river environment.I hope that this cultural wonder will not lose its beauty and wonder. The future generations should see the mother river of the Chinese people.

Great news for all Sanriotowners! Our favorite online community has launched a video-making contest at DreamStudio. The prizes are fabulous! A diamond pendant, a video digital recorder, and a PINK digicam! Now, I’m thinking of joining. Suddenly, I feel like shining!!! Hahaha.

I realized just now that my post yesterday about swimming with the whale shark can be considered a dazzling moment. Too bad, I do not have that much pictures. Hmmm. Anyway, i’ll think up of other moments, instead.

I really hope a lot of people will join. Mothers’ day is already this May and this pendant is surely a lovely gift to moms! Good luck everyone!