environmentalk

Newspaper and Prepaid Cards

Before we boarded the ferryboat that will bring us to Guimaras island, we were given used pre-paid cards.  It served three purposes : as receipt ( because they don’t issue official one); as control to track the number of passengers a ferryboat should accomodate (if a bundle of used cards is finished, the rest of the passengers board the next ferryboat); and as guide which ferryboat you should take ( I noticed the code of the ferryboat is written on the used cards and there’s a ”boatman” that directs passengers).  You have to surrender the card when you reach the wharf  for use of the other passengers.  What a creative way to recycle pre-paid cards!

On our way to the Trappist monastery, I noticed mango trees “decorated” with  old newspapers. We all know that Philippine mango, in particular Guimaras mango, is famous all over the world for its sweetness.. Guimaras is the mango capital of the Philippines. My mom, who incidentally is an agriculture graduate explained that the immature or unripe fruits are covered with paper ( any paper would do, some use brown paper bags) to protect them from insects and from “sunburn” ( the right term actually is sollar burn). The paper should be large enough to allow the fruit to grow to its full size. Mangoes damaged by insects are not saleable. When exposed to sun, the mango skin develops blotches which reduces its commercial value.  Mangoes should be “flawless” so growers can demand higher price. Again, what a creative and useful recycling practice!

Fish Kill

It was a beautiful garden wedding in a resort,  with Taal volcano as background.  The lake water was inviting but because we were all dressed up in formal attire, we decided to go swimming the following day.  No one in the group has tried swimming in Taal lake so the idea sounded exciting. 

Our excitement was replaced by frustration when we saw hundreds of small  tilapia floating and the foul smell was starting to be unbearable.  Fish kill, said the resort owner who has witnessed such happening almost every year since he put up the resort.  He owns fish cages, too so he knew more or less why such occurs as explained by Bureau of Fisheries experts in their area.  That particular fish kill I witnessed for the first time was caused by toxic gas emissions of hydrogen sulfide  (H2S).

This gas is produced through decomposition of organic matters in the lake such as uneaten fish feeds, fish feces and domestic feces that accumulate at the bottom waters.  The improper aquaculture practice by local operators in the lake such as intensive feeding and overstocking of tilapia  fry in fish cages had caused the fish kill.  

While fish kills are natural events, this can be prevented by practicing environmentally sound aquaculture.  The natural process that spread the nutrients in the lake cannot be controlled but by following the recommended cage density and feeding practices, the number of nutrients that trigger pollutants in the lake could be reduced.

I appreciated the learnings I got from the BFAR expert through the resort owner.  And by the way, hydrogen sulfide is partially responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs and flatulence.  So,  now you know the reason why you complain when foul odor lingers in the air.

Earth Hour 2009

Last time, I shared the ad about the  “Recyclables Fair”.  Another interesting information fell on my bed last night.   It was an invitation for my mom  from the Dept. of Energy about the EARTH HOUR 2009.  The invitation says that on 28 March 2009 at 8.30 PM, cities and towns across the world will turn off  their lights for ONE HOUR - Earth Hour- sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

The first step to this mass action is very easy and won’t hurt- turning off a light !  By doing this simple act, for just one hour, a strong message is delivered to the world about the urgent need to address climate change, and shows that it is possible for everyone to make a difference.

The Philippines will again join millions of comunities around the world as we literally “turn out the lights” for Earth Hour 2009. This event is a message of hope and action.  Imagine what we can do if we act together.

Why don’t we all join Eart Hour 2009  for the future of our planet?

I encourage you to visit www.earthhour.org for more information, and sign up!

The Curious Case of Bubalus Mindorensis, the Endangered Tamaraw

I have been to Mindoro, the home province of my mom, several times and  since then I have been curious how a live tamaraw looks like. This curiosity became stronger when I saw a head of the tamaraw displayed prominently in the sala of one of my mom’s friends.  To have  or own one is a status symbol, according  to my mom.  She said I better kill my curiosity about seeing a live tamaraw because it is now listed as one of the ten most endangered species in the world. Mindoro is synonymous to tamaraw because the animal is endemic to the province.  Not a single Tamaraw has ever been seen in other islands. That’s why Mindoro used to be the “Land of Tamaraws”.  But because it is in danger of extinction, my mom’s province might lose the symbol that made it popular to the world. Today, there are as few as 20 heads roaming in the wilds, according to my mom’s friend in the provincial capitol.  This explains the phrase “used to be”.

When they were young, their elders warned them to stay away from forests because  a tamaraw might attack them. It was impressed on them that  the tamaraw is wild, fierce and aggressive. Indeed, they are. When it corners you, according to my late Lolo,  it will pierce your body with its upward horns, described as “V” form horns .  In case you don’t know, the horns of the carabao that we know take a curved shape.  Now that you know, the moment you see a small carabao with a “V” shaped horns, take the direction that will lead you to a safe place.

Their being wild and aggressive is partly the reason  why tamaraw population declined.  They have been a favorite target of adventurous hunters.  My mom’s neighbor, a known personality in their town, was once visited by a popular actor in the 70’s to go on tamaraw hunting. ( Today, that actor still appears in a popular teleserye, but my lips are sealed.).  Because of this disturbance by humans, the tamaraws moved to dense forests. 

The rampant destruction of these forests- the natural habitat of tamaraws- is now the major reason for the extinction problem.  Very little is left of the forest cover of Mindoro, which I noticed every time I visit the place.  In our experiments we always end with a conclusion.  The conclusion for this sad plight of tamaraws is, the destruction of Mindoro’s forests led to the sudden decline of Tamaraw population.

As a Mindoreno, my mom is concerned.  I am concerned, too since I fell in love with the place despite its bald forests.  The best that my fellow Mindorenos can do ( I consider myself one already) is to ensure that the little that remains of Mindoro’s forests are protected and conserved.  With these forests gone, gone would be the pride of Mindoro that is Tamaraw.