Green Efforts in Vain: Why our university sectors need to sit down and talk about long term Environmental efforts

(My November column in The LaSallian)

Commendable efforts from different sectors in the University need to be recognized in initiating projects that pushes for an environment friendly school. These efforts seem to be sincere in achieving university-wide transformation so we can claim a green campus. However, this will only be in vain if sectors in the University fail to understand a system-wide approach to a development problem. It will still be fruitless if no higher policy-making body, such as administrators, will properly set a vision and initiate reforms that will drive and integrate efforts in the University to realize an environmentally sustainable institution. More importantly, walls separating students, faculty, and administration need to be taken down. This illusion of having conflicting missions can be proven wrong because the mission of one is the mission of all.

 Under De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) is Lasallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE) which seems to be the example that Leith Sharp, Director of Harvard Green Campus Initiative, is mentioning about the usual response of universities to the pressures of environmental calls. In her paper Green Campuses: The Road from Little Victories to Systemic Transformation, she shares that the common solution that universities come up with is a committee or an organization that is immediately assumed to eventually provide goals and strategies that will effectively mobilize people to act for environmental welfare. However, its failure to understand the complexity of a University as an organization coupled with its severe limitations “quickly forces it to shift their focus from broad reaching systematic transformation to well-bounded projects with lower levels of participation, losing significant momentum and breadth in their organizational impact.”

 LIFE even has a bigger challenge of influencing transformational change in La Salle campuses because it is a separate organization that appears to merely solicit efforts from DLSP schools. It does not have direct influence in decision-making bodies or powers to implement mechanisms to reform cultural change relevant to environment sustainability. LIFE is using the schools as a medium to educate people for their propaganda.  But their venue for teaching, means, and expertise to teach are comparably less than the ones available for teachers in La Salle schools. What if LIFE finds ways to integrate their message through the teachers’ lessons? If they will not be able to find ways to intensify programs that can be felt every day, the level of success in LIFE’s projects will remain having little effect on one’s consciousness. It would be good if LIFE can have a visible local chapter in each La Salle school with decentralized power as its characteristic. This will allow them to be adaptive and highly responsive because they will be able to immediately see new opportunities for the school given limited resources, but still aligned with a vision set by DLSP.

 

G. F. Abito, author of Environmental Education, Training and Research in the Philippines, says that initiatives to solve development problems have tendencies to attack in a “piece-meal, segmented fashion.” As he was referring to government agencies, he mentioned the problem also exist in private institutions such as universities. It is evident that there are fragmented efforts in the University but we have to know the difference between project success and systematic transformation.

 The success of Zero-Styro by the Student Council (SC) is highly commendable given it needed a great deal of coordination among policy makers in the University such as the Canteen Committee and Administration.  The Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Office has its own project of producing seedlings from the fallen fruits of the trees in the University. They have now several hundreds of seedlings and young trees ready for planting but do not have definite plan where to give them. Some faculty members are also encouraging students to print on scratch papers. Imagine if the number of 1029 faculty members listed in the DLSU website required all term papers to be printed on scratch? It can be seen that there really are some efforts from different sectors. But are these little victories the start and end of its own cause? A vision and specific goal could have been provided by a higher and integrating body such as Vice Chancellor level administration that will integrate efforts from different sectors that will ensure environmental sustainability.

 Doing so is not easy because there is a big challenge of bringing down “inherent tension within the power structure of the university organization as a result of the delegation of and struggle for power.” Sharp mentioned this when she was describing the difficulty of realizing wide participation from students, faculty, and administration. If the University will be serious in making a genuine green campus, our President should initiate a dialogue with all the sectors mentioned and include environmental programs in the school’s strategies. They could also include LIFE so that the sectors can provide ideas on how they can involve themselves and be felt locally.

 Students have been acknowledged by Sharp to have the political power to be effective catalysts for institutional transformation to achieve environmentally sustainable universities. But they will just simply be a “match that can’t find the fuel” if they will not be trained with the proper skills needed. On the other hand, faculty members do not involve themselves much in campus operations because these kinds of tasks have been given to the administrative staff, having them focus on teaching and research. Few attempt to influence decisions made in campus like when U-Break was proposed to be moved to Monday. When Dr. Ricardo Puno was asked regarding the stand of professors regarding the move, as long as it does not unduly harm the welfare of professors, they are not against it. Even in Harvard, Sharp was only able to determine six faculty members who are willing to devote their time to university environmental issues because most choose to focus on their researches and teaching. If there is any faculty member in the University who is willing to do the same, make yourself heard! Send us a letter and we will echo your sentiment.

 Pursuing an environmentally sustainable institution is not just a question of wanting people to be aware. It is an organizational change that requires reforms of policies across different sectors in the University. But in order to do this, a prerequisite of understanding on how university processes and division of subcultures needs to be understood before a vision can be shared. We need a long term map from our top level administrators and at the same time decentralized power to smaller units in the University for them to be flexible and highly responsive to everyday opportunities given lack of resources. Most importantly, we need to integrate ourselves so that our small victories are gearing towards a bigger goal—to be agents of change that we want to see.

community whale "massacre" in Denmark

Horrible and barbaric, but there are far more horrifying stories out there that we should focus our energies on. This is only a part of it. 

Whale community massacre. A former colleague of mine sent an email regarding people of Denmark in the Faroe Islands killing hundreds of whales and dolphins in their bay. Who wouldn't be shocked and alarmed by the photos flashed before me?

No harm. Investigating further, I found out that it is a tradition in those islands to gather food stock for the winter since Viking Age (800-900 AD). It is a community wide effort regulated by national legislation according to website giving a detailed account of the island's whaling practices. The community do not see it as a horrendous crime. They claim that the level of their consumption is at a sustainable level. Out of 800,000 pilot whales, they rarely take 2,000 every year. Nick Aslam, the BBC writer, stated "Had I, they asked pointedly, ever gone to an abattoir in my country and seen the industrial daily slaughter of thousands of farm animals?" The meat gathered is shared among members of the community without charge. Surplus are given to hospitals and old people's homes according to the article of BBC. 

"Faroe islanders have been hunting for pilot whales for centuries, giving them valuable food stocks for the winter. But to animal rights activists, the kill is cruel and unnecessary." - BBC News

Office of Protected Resources (US government agency responsible for protecting marine mammals and endangered marine life), classifies pilot whales as "Low risk least concerned." Meaning they are not in danger of becoming extinct. The whale hunt is regulated by the Ministry of Fisheries of the Faroe Islands which is responsible for the administration and for coordinating Faroese participation in international scientific and conservation bodies.

Focus on more important things. For animal rights and environmentalists out there, I think better questions would be:

1. What are the pressing matters that need more attention? A group of people hunting on a sustainable level (which can be easily judged by their means) or companies with highly poisonous waste disposal system disrupting ecological harmony? 

2. There are a lot of endangered species already. What are we doing to reduce the count? 

3. Least corrupt country (Denmark) do regulate this kind of activities. Should our efforts focus more on the least credible and corrupt governments that deprive both human and environment life? 

Judgement. I think what keeps us from understanding their practice is our characteristic of being judgemental. Yes, what they are doing seems to be barbaric. However, if we stop from knowing more about this tradition, then we also stop ourselves from learning about far more important issues that can save our environment. 

In the Philippines, dogs are domesticated then beaten to death in sakos. Illegal logging in Isabela had been rampant during the political regime of the Dy's resulting to landslides. MWSI's irresponsible water project "enhancement" clogged drainages causing more floods. Squatter areas near bodies of water irresponsibly throw their trash and wastes there. Pollution level in Manila is at an alarming level. We have 50 "biologically dead" read article here  rivers already. 

See... a lot of work needs to be done. Before we judge them, I think it would be better to judge people in our country first.

Sources: BBC news, NOAA Fisheries, Whales and Whaling in the Faroe Islands, Truth or Fiction

Women on top

When HIllary Clinton tried to run head to head with Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential nominee, gender and racial issue were also the hot topics. If either of them will win as the presidential candidate (assuming a weak Republican candidate), it will be a first time for America to have a woman or an African-American president. 

However, as a lady, let's look more into the issue of gender. Look at the photo below (courtesy of NYTimes), even a young supporter who maybe doesn't know yet the word gender issue is showing implications of sexism in the array of past US presidents. But we are Filipinos. Therefore, let's us have a local look at gender issues in the arena of Philippine politics. Specifically women politicians in the country.

GRACE PADACA . You know her? No? Here's a photo.

 

Still don't know her? Maybe another photo will give you an idea...

Yes, she's handicapped and she's currently the governor of Isabela. She's also one of my idols. 

Before a radio commentator, now a dedicated government official who toppled down the political dynasty of Dy's in Isabela. Just like what happened in Pampanga, the people of her town got sick of the traditional kind of politics that Dy's were not providing. I'm proud of Isabelinos. 

Grace is a very inspiring person. Despite being a polio victim, she still manage to be a valedictorian when she was in elementary and high school. She's also a magna cum laude in college. Moreover, she received Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service. Because of her, what if I also run for position in my own province? To serve maybe, to make it a better place for my fellow Camileńos. Still a blur but I'm currently thinking about it. 

For the meantime, GO GRACE PADACA! I do hope leaders like her will follow her soon. I may follower her soon. I just need to make sure I will have the strong values so that I will not be eaten by our corrupt political structure. God help us find leaders like her in the 2010 election. 

"Change has come to America"

Barack Obama becomes USA's first African American president.
Credit to CNN.com http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html

Obama inspires historic victory

(CNN) -- Barack Obama told supporters that "change has come to America," as he addressed the country for the first time as the president-elect.

Sen. Barack Obama addresses a crowd of 125,000 people in Chicago, Illinois.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said in Chicago, Illinois.

Police estimated that 125,000 people gathered in Grant Park to hear Obama claim victory.

Obama said he was looking forward to working with Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin "to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead."

McCain on Tuesday urged all Americans to join him in congratulating Sen. Barack Obama on his projected victory in the presidential election.

"I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face," McCain said before his supporters in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much, and tonight, I remain her servant," he said.

McCain called Obama to congratulate him, Obama's campaign said.

Obama thanked McCain for his graciousness and said he had waged a tough race.

President Bush also called Obama to congratulate him.

Bush told Obama he was about to begin one of the great journeys of his life, and invited him to visit the White House as soon as it could be arranged, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

With his projected win, Obama will become the nation's 44th president and its first African-American leader.

Supporters in Chicago cheering, "Yes, we can" were met with cries of "Yes, we did."

More than 1,000 people gathered outside of the White House, chanting, "Obama, Obama!"

Obama's former rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton said in a statement that "we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people."

"This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait. Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world."

The Illinois senator is projected to pick up a big win in Virginia, a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic president since 1964.

Obama also is projected to beat McCain in Ohio, a battleground state that was considered a must-win for the Republican candidate.

Going into the election, national polls showed Obama with an 8-point lead.

Obama will be working with a heavily Democratic Congress. Democrats picked up Senate seats in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, among others.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell held onto his seat in Kentucky.

CNN's Ed Henry said there were lots of long faces in the lobby of the McCain headquarters at the Arizona Biltmore hotel as McCain allies watched returns showing Senate Republicans losing their seats.

Voters expressed excitement and pride in their country after casting their ballots Tuesday in what has proved to be a historic election.

Poll workers reported high turnout across many parts of the country, and some voters waited hours to cast their ballots.

Reports of minor problems and delays in opening polls began surfacing early Tuesday, shortly after polls opened on the East Coast.

The presidential candidates both voted early in the day before heading out to the campaign trail one last time.

Tuesday also marked the end of the longest presidential campaign season in U.S. history -- 21 months.

As McCain and Obama emerged from their parties' conventions, the race was essentially a toss-up, with McCain campaigning on his experience and Obama on the promise of change. But the race was altered by the financial crisis that hit Wall Street in September.

This made me do this ----->> O.o

I honestly think that branding a popcord as Poppycock would be a good marketing strategy. Come on! It gave me lot of misleading interpretations. Yeah, you know what I mean. Green as it may seem, I just can't stop thinking why on earth did the brand manager not thought of the different cultural connotation of such words. 

I looked it up in the internet if it means something in other countries. Guess what, in Dutch dialect pappekak, literally means soft dung, from Dutch pap pap + kak dung. So, it just doesn't only make people think of  men's genitals, but also poop in Dutch! Hilarious...

Undas sa probinsya

Summing up Halloween, All Souls Day, and All Saints Day... I think only one thing changed from our usual routine-we celebrated life more than death. 

Naka naman, ano ibig sabihin nun?! 

Instead of lingering from the stories of the dead ones, I and my family members talked more about what they did, what they were currently doing, and plans (not the serious one of course). The mood was very light, feather-like actually. 

First stop, my lolo father side in Camiling, Tarlac. The photo in your left was actually taken from there. It was near dusk so Diana, my younger sister, told us to pose for her sillhoutte shot. Ate isaw and good old Pop Cola. What was funny was that my aunt from dad's side brought this humongous sized album because she just came from her "around the world tour" even in the cemetery! LOL. I caught my sister's eyes gave the album a terrifying look then hurriedly excused herself that she'll get some more photos. Tsk tsk. Yep, I was left to tolerate the vast amount of photos of my aunt. It had a template I tell you. Her + background. Haha!

Next, we visited Mom's clan in Calamba, Laguna. They do not fail to serve great food every time we visit there! We had steamed prawns, lengua, calderetang kambing, pork bbq, grilled pla-pla, ice cream, nilatek na iniruban (a kind of rice cake), and caramel flavored cake (it's kuya carlo's bday today!!!). My cousins, aunts, and Diana (my sister) even hit the notes on karaoke after lunch. Party then eh?! Haha.