Earth Day 2009 (22 April)

Happy Earth Day!

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE MOUNTAINS

On 15 April 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation no. 176 declaring the year 2002 as the “Year of Mountains” as well as the month of June of every year as the “Month of the Mountains” in the Philippines. The said Proclamation was the answer to the United Nations General Assembly’s call for the sustainable development of forest resources. 

For the commemoration of the Month of the Mountains to be more effective, I believe that the policies of the National Government with regard to forest resources (e.g. logging, mining, etc.) must shift from highly extractive to regenerative economics. To do this, the following are my suggestions so that President GMA would have a legacy once she leaves the Presidency: 

1. Delineate and specifically identify the metes and bounds of forest lands, national parks, and other protected areas. Once boundaries are identified, provide clear boundary delineations such as the use of improvised fences. This is in accord with the provision of the Constitution. The President’s job is to make sure that it is implemented before she leaves the Office.

2. Establish measurable targets for the annual reduction of forest cover.

3. Establish in specific terms (e.g. percentage points) on how much of the forest covers could be used and how much should remain.

4. Formulate the National Land Use Plan Framework. Sec. 20(c) of the Local Government Code mandates LGUs to prepare a comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) enacted through a zoning ordinance. Majority of the LGUs have yet to formulate their respective CLUPs. As the Chief Executive, she has the authority to call on these local government officials to implement the law. To help them craft their respective CLUPs, it would be better if the National Government has a National Land Use Plan which would serve as a framework for the local CLUPs.

5. With regard to minerals, the policy should focus on the use of minerals based on the concept of carrying capacity. At the rate we’re going, it is crucial for the National Government to issue a moratorium on the issuance of mineral permits and licenses.

I believe that if the President would follow these simple suggestions, we would be able to give flesh to the letter of Proclamation no. 176. And in doing so, the commemoration of the Month of the Mountains would be more than just lip service. 

KICK THE HABIT!

Today, the world commemorates the World Environment Day with its 2008 slogan Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy (to learn more about this, click this link). This recognizes the need to focus on greenhouse emissions and the ways by which these will be reduced. 

I believe that Professor Oposa, my Law and Environment class Professor last semester, has a very innovative way to reduce our greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles. He is promoting the use of ‘man-powered mini-train’ and calls it by the name of ‘karusel’. This YouTube video (click this link) shows the making and the launching of this ‘karusel’.

The Karusel Prototype

Photo from Prof. Oposa 

The use of this ‘karusel’ is one of the best solutions not only to the world’s urban problems but also to our very unhealthy sedentary lifestyle. However, doubts with regard to the sustainability of this man-powered vehicle will usually arise. There might even have apprehensions, or worse, adverse reactions from the riding public. 

Indeed, the need to change the mindset of many Filipinos is very crucial for the sustainability and success of this very promising ‘karusel’. The use of the CPR economics (I will write more about this later), as recommended by Prof. Oposa, will be very helpful in this regard.  

SHARK’S FIN DUMPLING, ANYONE?

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization estimated that more than 100 million sharks are caught annually[1].  Studies made by Baum and Myers[2] in the years 2002 and 2003 on shark populations established that several species of sharks have vanished at the rate of 49% to as much as 99% in a span of fifteen (15) years.  Other studies reveal an overall decline of 90% in shark population in the last fifty (50) years[3].

The decline in the population of sharks is due to several factors. One of these factors is attributed to the biology of sharks which have low reproductive capacity. The other factors are attributable to human activities. The marine ecosystem has already been destructed. Moreover, the popularity of shark products has resulted in over harvesting.

These factors led to the drop of shark populations which has been faster than ever before. Sharks occupy the apex of marine ecosystem. The drop in their population would mean real dangers to the balance of the marine ecosystem. One of these adverse effects is the increase in the population of prey species which in turn would reduce the number of their prey species. Overharvesting of sharks will lead to the collapse of the marine ecosystem.

Sharks are a public resource that should be protected for the benefit not just of the present generation but more importantly for future generations. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Department of Agriculture is empowered by the Republic Act no. 8550 to formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the conservation and management of fisheries resources (Sec. 65[n]). Moreover, the protection of sharks can be a good resource for eco-visitorism under the auspices of the Department of Tourism.

In this light, it is crucial that the killing of sharks be completely banned. Again, sharks occupy the apex of marine biodiversity. Since one of the laws of Nature is that every thing is interconnected, killing of sharks will adversely alter the balance of the ecosystem.

Calling on the DENR, BFAR, DA, and the DOT officials.

   1]Rebecca Regney, The Recent International Measures to Protect Sharks Are Not Enough,<http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/international_measures_to_protect_sharks_not_enough.html>, January 7, 2005.

                2] Facts Endangering Sharks: Fishing,<http://www.shark.ch/Preservation/Facts/index.html>

   3]Rebecca Regney, The Recent International Measures to Protect Sharks Are Not Enough,<http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/international_measures_to_protect_sharks_not_enough.html>, January 7, 2005.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

The world will be observing the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2008 with its theme revolving around Biodiversity and Agriculture. The theme is very appropriate as many countries in the world are experiencing crisis in food. In the Philippines, many families have to line up just to be able to buy cheap rice. It is ironic because our Department of Agriculture has just reported that there has been a rise in agricultural production. 

The Philippines is endowed with one of the highest biodiversity in the world. Many scientists even consider the Philippines as the center of the center of marine biodiversity in the planet. Sadly, this biodiversity is also the fastest to diminish. This problem is a result of the concept that is very prevalent in the Philippines- the tragedy of the commons.

The Visayan Sea is a good example of the Tragedy of the Commons. Because of the abundance of marine resources and the misconception that all of these resources are for free, people take everything from it to their hearts’ content. Since there is a conception that these resources in the Visayan Sea are not owned by anyone, everybody uses them to the point of being abusive to the environment. People worry that if they do not harvest all these resources somebody else would do so. Hence, instead of just harvesting within the sustainable yield of the area, it results in overharvesting.

In this light, it is urgent for the Philippine Government to declare certain areas in the country as biodiversity hotspots. These biodiversity hotspots will ensure that the resources in these areas are protected and set apart for the future generation. Moreover, the Government has to fastrack its determination of the maximum sustainable yield as required by the Philippine Fisheries Code. In this way, it will be ensured that the harvesting of marine resources is  sustainable. 

And most importantly, the people must have to change their mindset. Our generation is not here to exploit the resources that we have. Our generation is here to make sure that the generation to come will enjoy the same resources that we have today.