RP's massive Green Philippines against global warming
The danger from global warming is a big threat the earth is facing thus needs meaningful action since the longer the delay, the more costly would be its economic and human impact, environmentalists said.
Global warming according to science experts and environmentalists, refers to the warming of the earth's atmosphere. An irreversible atmospheric change caused by excessive release/emission of greenhouse gases in the air such as carbon dioxide and methane which allows sunlight to reach the earth but trap the resulting heat in the atmosphere.
The warming's destructive effects will call ocean levels to rise, floods, warmer climate, drought and super typhoons.
As an intervention to mitigate the problem, Press Secretary and Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye said in a statement the government, as embodied in its Green Philippines Environmental Plan, will engage in massive reforestation, preservation of our reefs & waterways, scrubbing the land and air of pollutants that endanger the health of the citizens & energy conservation with students playing greater role in the campaign vs. global warming and other climate change phenomena.
Sec. Bunye explained that in a directive issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Department of Education (DepEd) during the Earth Day Celebration, pointed out that the two weather phenomena will be incorporated into the public school Science curriculum subjects to educate the young to become responsible citizens who care and protect our ecosystem.
"Filipino students will take a major stand against global warming, climate change as they will be at the forefront of a massive green Philippines environmental programs," Sec. Bunye added.
In a telephone interview to DepEd RI, Division of La Union Superintendent Edna C. Leal, CESO VI, revealed that though they've not yet received the directive from President Arroyo, high school students here have already a background about global warming, climate change and caring the environment.
Supt. Leal added that whenever there are activities undertaken by the city & provincial governments, DENR and even private entities concerning environmental protection programs like tree planting, clean-up drive along the city coastal areas, essay & poster making contests and the like, selected schools in the city participated regularly and actively.
For her part, DepEd Education Supervisor I for Elementary and High School Science, Evelyn T. Lopico explained that Science 2 (Biology) for second year students, global warming is within the learning competencies/objectives under the subject matter "Ecosystem." It is also integrated in Science I (Gen. Science) for first year students under the subject matter "atmosphere."
On the other hand, Supt. Lopico added, changes in climate is also taught in the school curriculum for first year students (Science) under the subject matter, "atmosphere".
In other developments, Philippines is a tourism haven thus, Secretary Bunye stressed that the implementation of anti-pollution programs, "the focus shall be clearing away the barangays and cities' trash, establishment of urban parks & recreation areas, cleaning our water & industrial sites that are not only health hazards but eyesores."
(PIA La Union)