Year-End Zero Waste Christmas Party

The end for 2013 is nearing fast. Truly, there is a hint of validity in the saying “Time flies”.

I can still remember how we crammed for our requirements at the end of our 4^th year in college last March, or how nulled I was realizing that I was about to enrol my last semesters last June and November. It seems only a few weeks ago that those memories and many more cherished ones have happened.

Looking back, this has been a year of hard work and learning. School has been demanding much of my time all throughout the year that there was not much more left for other things. Having said all that, I’ve grown and gained much knowledge and that is all worth the sweat, panic and sleepless nights for 2013.

Environmental Science and Engineering has made a big impact not only on myself but on my friends and classmates as well. I find myself smiling when I caught myself unintentionally thinking about the environmental impact of my actions. Whether I was throwing some candy wraps on the road or thrashing barely used coupon bonds, I find myself mulling over the effect that I would make on the environment if I did otherwise. And I am really happy to have found and develop that conscience.

Integrating Lessons into Tradition

I was really very happy with how the class Christmas party went for Environmental Science and Engineering. It was a testament to how much we’ve learned in class.

The food was all fruits. There was nothing bought from the supermarket, all were from the fresh market in close vicinity of the school. We also didn’t asked for plastic bags and held the goods with our bare hands.

We played games, laughed about and really just had a good time. After the tiring games, we ate and disposed our garbage properly.

The food was delicious, we can eat as much as we can without worrying about the sugar and fats that we intake. We were so full and yet we felt so light and energized.

It made me realize once again about how The 11^th Hour told that people should go back to being part of nature and use only the energy of sunlight to live day by day. Furthermore, Engr. Llorente concluded the party with saying that we should all appreciate our immediate surroundings.

It was a simple party, not in anyways grand, but it will surely go down with me as one of the most memorable, meaningful and unique Christmas party I’ve ever been a part of. It’s not about the material things eaten and given away, but about the people you spend these precious times with.

The 11th Hour

The Impact of The 11^th Hour

Watching a documentary film might sound as dull and boring to your ordinary youth but The 11^th Hour is probably one of those few exceptions. When I look back at the film, the structure was kind of ordinary – interviews, graphs, and loads of information contained in an hour or so film. Now one has to wonder, “Why is it ordinary yet so different at the same time?”

The News I Should Have Already Known

Whilst the film made good to expound the issues and concerns of the environment I’ve already knew from various different other documentaries, some things are relatively new to me.

I used to blame the higher government for not implementing policies improving our environment. They are the ones with power and they should lead us. I was proven wrong.

The United Nations, a central organization that handles most of the countries of the world, actually has an agency named The United Nations Environment Programme, which deals with the improvement, restoration and sustainability of our environment.

I absolutely think this is fantastic. Finally, someone with power and influence is taking actions. I believe and I pray that soon effects and results will arise.

Exploration

As I have stated many times before, “I will stick with what I know and then proceed”. My thesis is currently related to the Shell Eco Marathon, where we particularly build an all-electric car.

An all-electric car doesn’t burn gasoline and therefore leaves absolutely no carbon footprint. We have that technology right now. Nissan, one of the leading car manufacturers worldwide, has marketed the Nissan Leaf, available in US, Japan, and some European countries. Leading automotive TV show, Discovery Turbo, reviewed the Leaf as a car comparable to petrol cars performance wise.

If we can further explore this field, enhance and extract more performance from these cars enough to overthrow petrol cars, then it will surely be a huge step for our sustainable future.

With the use of programs like the Shell Eco Marathon, research and development continues to notch a higher level. Innovation continues to step up and very soon green will be the new norm.

Thinking About the Food You and I Eat

We should consider our environmental impacts even in the food we eat. Those supermarket stuffs - canned goods and instant foods, sad to say they are also a concern for our environment.

Imagine how the factories process these foods. They add preservatives and package them with those big machineries reminiscent of the industrial factories. The carbon footprint that is left with this mass production is massive. Not to mention the fuel needed to cover the miles needed for transportation and shipping of these products.

We should go green – fruits, vegetables, and meats produced in the local area. Not only are they more healthy but they cover less miles for transport. No preservatives and are fresh off harvest.

A Must-Watch

Everyone must see this movie. All of us are responsible for these issues so it is imperative that we be aware and responsible. No exception.

My Own Issue

It was stated somewhere in the film that it takes a sudden amount of consequence for us to finally take notice and proceed with actions. Then the question came to me, “Are we like frogs?”

When a frog is placed in warm water then heat it up slowly to boiling point, it dies without even noticing its environment is killing it. Will we be like that? People not noticing the gradual changing of the environment that is slowly killing us? Will we proceed as usual with our business not knowing that the environment is at its boiling point? Hopefully not.

Actions

A single person cannot do much but an accumulation can certainly make a difference. First off, I would like to share this movie to everyone interested. With the internet and technology of today, the voice of many can certainly influence others.

Second and more importantly, think about the environment in every little aspect of your everyday life then take actions. So that others may take actions too.