It’s Never The Nature; It’s Always Us, Humans

4.6 billion years ago, starting from the Hadean Eon, the Cenozoic Era, and up to the present day, the climate has drastically changed over time. There is global warming, collapsing biodiversity, depleted ozone layer  -  humans are dying because of our revengeful mother nature; her wrath has been sweeping people away. But it is not too late for us to do something to make a marked difference for our planet, our home.

During the month of national environmental awareness, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) geared up at the Audio Visual Room (AVR) of PATTS College of Aeronautics last November 10, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m to attain its vision of having a sustainable and clean environment where future kids can still have a green playground.

The seminar was attended by the PATTSeans and was graced by the presence of Dr. Emelita I. Javier (VP for Student Affairs). Mr. Bobby Tagapan (OIC, Director DENR MEO South) delivered his opening remarks, encouraging each student to participate in the combat to protect the environment. He enticed, "The climate crisis is not only happening in our country; it's a global issue that needs a worldwide movement." He used his expertise to teach the students that if we start changing our ways and recalibrating our minds, we can help save our dying planet. “Be aware of what you can do as students of PATTS and as a Filipino; you can help mitigate and lessen the destruction" - this was his last statement before ending the recorded video. Indeed, our footsteps toward a sustainable future could eliminate our carbon footprints.

As the seminar unraveled to the proper discussion, Mr. Niño Mieco A. Obordo (Information Officer MEO South) took over the stage and held the mic expressing his aura that echoes the depths of his knowledge about the topic. He discussed that our country, the Philippines, is most at risk from the climate crisis factors, such as extreme weather and climate hazards. Amidst his conference, he said, "We need to adapt sustainability, [...] our resources are not unlimited, it's bound to end." He also encouraged us to walk on our way to saving the environment and living a zero-waste life through the 7Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Before he reclined back on his chair, one phrase made the audience applaud their hands, "We need not only climate talks, but also climate actions."

As the program moved on to the open forum, an audience who mustered up his courage asked, "If Manila, Pasay, and some other areas of NCR will be submerged by 2050, just like Jakarta, Indonesia, are there any government plans for constructing or moving a new city to higher areas?" Then the speaker answered, "Not yet, but we are monitoring the sea level. Also, the 2050 projection is still a theory, [...] so I think we don't have to move on higher grounds." His answer reverberates that despite the warning of experts and scientists, there is still  illiteracy on climate change, disregarding what might possibly happen in the next coming years.

The status quo of mother nature right now is something this generation should be ashamed of because they do not inherit this world from their ancestors; they borrow it from their children.  Everyone should always remember that little by little, even our micro-efforts could have a macro-impact to have a world where pollution and global warming are mitigated.