Looks deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
— Albert Einstein

MAYPAJO, Caloocan City — Senator Loren Legarda's call for immediate action against pollution is not only timely, it also makes as realize that until now, our laws on environmental preservation and conservation, particularly Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, are not being fully implemented.
This is critical as in the last century, scientists have already warned that human activity was pumping greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere at such a rate that disastrous climate changes were in store unless we drastically reduced the production of such gases.
But too many of us, who should have led in mitigating (if not preventing) the impacts of the global phenomenon, have found it more convenient to deny the dire findings of the experts.
And so, our planet continues to overheat and now the disastrous effects of that selfishness and shortsightedness are upon us.

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DILIMAN, Quezon City — In launching its 'Save from Extinction' initiative to repopulate six species that are iconic of the country's heritage, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has likewise launched a fundraising campaign that aims to raise ₱100 million to save endangered local fauna.
The six animal species that are the brink of extinction and are now targeted for repopulation are the Philippine eagle (Phitecophaga jefferyi), pawikan, tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), red-vented cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygi), dugong and Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis).
DENR has already raised ₱100 million but it is now seeking to generate the same amount from the public over the next few years to start initiatives that would save our endangered animals through conservation and breeding programs.
Environment secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga announced that individuals and organizations who want to help can do so by purchasing t-shirts and tote bags featuring the six species from DENR's partner SM retail brand Kultura. Another is through donation boxes in the 'Save From Extinction' kiosks or else by depositing their donations through Banco de Oro (BDO) ATMs, online banking and over-the-counter in BDO branches nationwide.
In acknowledging the project's importance to country's culture and heritage, the secretary enthused that "their work is just beginning, as the initial ₱100 million that the agency put together is not enough to get the job done."
Based on data from the 75-year-old global organization International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), each of the targeted animal species has a threshold number indicating that their population is coming back for endangerment status.
Yulo-Loyzaga continued that she would like to "surpass if we can" the thresholds set by the IUCN, which is driven by the mission to safeguard the environment and its ecosystems.
"I'd be dreaming if I say that these can be achieved in the next few years, but at least we put the foundation in place: breeding programs that can increase the population and keep (the species) away from extinction," she disclosed while advising donors to visit www.smsupermalls.com/save-from-extinction to obtain more information about the 'Save from Extinction' campaign

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