Global Effort for Global Warming

Darell James Mendoza
2006-15105

Global Warming – a phenomenon that has been taken for granted all over the world for years since the Industrial Revolution. It’s the result of our massive consumption of fossil fuels and other carbon-producing compounds that adds up to our greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which causes the “heating” of the Earth. There have been so many efforts that have been done to inform the world about this phenomenon but only few have taken actions and the others just neglect it thinking that it is just a scientific craze. But now that the signs and effects of it are now being experienced in some parts of the world, it’s not too late for us to act about it.

Greenhouse effect is the major cause of the increase of temperature of the Earth. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevent the heat to escape our planet. Due to our increase of carbon emissions worldwide, more greenhouse gases are accumulating in the atmosphere, therefore locking up the heat in the Earth. Because of this, the temperature of the Earth has increased significantly that is enough to slowly melt the polar region and raise the temperature of the seas and oceans. These effects cause the world climate to change gradually.

This documentary Signos – Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima made by GMA News and Public Affairs is all about the emerging threats of climate change here in the Philippines. Gathering the experts and researchers related to climate change, they discussed everything about it and how it will affect our country. Many issues have been brought up by the documentary like the frequent occurrence of strong typhoons, landslides, unusual and heavy rainfalls, and coastal erosion. There is also a threat to the health sector of the country because of the increase of the temperate in the surroundings like malaria, dengue and schistosomiasis. Our marine life is also in danger because of the climate and temperature change.

With this information we have right now and the personal experience I have encountered, I realized that we should act about it right now by starting with ourselves.

One effort in the online community is the Ecological Footprint Quiz. In this site, we can actually know how our daily actions and living can affect to the rising problem our planet is facing right now. For me, while I was answering the quiz, I have found out that I was actually not just answering it just to know my ecological footprint it but also getting informed on what should I do and not do to help our planet. The quiz implicitly gives tips on how to save energy and live “ecologically-friendly”. It also makes you realize on how you spend energy irresponsibly while answering it.

Philippines is one of the countries that is on the front row seats of the effects of climate change. Therefore it is important for us Filipinos to get informed and be part of the worldwide effort to save and preserve our planet. There is no one to blame with what is happening right now, first world countries or developing countries, we all have a share on the liability we had created. We need a global effort to save the Earth and by starting with ourselves, we can make a change. Energy saving and waste disposal techniques have been repeatedly taught to us but only some of us does it. Just by following those like, switching off the lights and appliances when not in use, using fluorescent bulbs, less use of private vehicles to save fuel, recycling of plastics and other materials, we can help lessen the carbon-production of the planet.

It’s not too late for us to act right now. Just like the ending statement in the of Signos – Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima,

“Tayo ang dahilan kung bakit nagkaganito ang mundo. Tayo rin dapat ang magwasto nito.”

There is no one who would help us to save our planet, but only us. We have to face the consequences of our doings and start solving it. It would be a long and hard process but once we have encouraged the world for our efforts, we could definitely correct our mistakes and save the planet not just for ourselves but also for our future successors.