Japan's Lesson On Economy and Environment

     As we watch the short documentary of Japan’s economy and environment, it said that Ginza, Japan was the economical construction place on year 1956. On that era, once you have refrigerator, television, and washing machine, you are big time citizen. In year 1960, the prime minister of japan, Hayato Ikeda, proclaimed the doubling of income for Japan’s economic growth. They built so many infrastructures and became the second largest GNP attained in year 1968.

     But in focusing their national income, they didn’t notice the pollution created by factories and mining projects. As their economy grew, the pollution gets heavier. It created an outbreak disease called “itai itai” that means “ouch ouch” in year 1968. This disease gives so much hurt mostly in woman. It is because of the sulfuric acid that released by factories. At the same year it the outbreak continues and created another disease. The next outbreak is called Minamata disease which came from Minamata. This disease gave the Japanese like epileptic syndrome because of organic mercury compound that came from mining projects. Another outbreak comes out in the next year, 1969. It is the Yokkaichi Asthma Outbreak. It is the disease like asthma that attacks at midnight that makes you sleepless. In it cause by the sulfur oxide and other pollution that created by factories.  

     As the Japanese reacts to the outbreaks, it created so many rallies and protests. Because of these phenomenons, Japan government amended a law for environmental pollution control in year 1971. As the Japanese alarmed to the situation, they started to build a healthy nation. One of it is the flue gas sulfurizer. It removes sulfur oxide to the fluid. Another is the selective catalytic reduction that removes nitrogen oxide to the water. In order to clean the mess and build the machines, it causes a lot of money.

     And as far as they cleaning their economy, they learn how the love it. It gives a lesson on how the conserved our planet earth. Don’t overuse it. We are the one who also suffer at the time comes. Heal the world. Heal the mankind.

Conservation Priorities

     One of the wetlands that must be conserved is the Malampaya Sound of northern part of Palawan. It said that Malampaya sound is home of the Irrawaddy Dolphins which is critically endangered subpopulation. The main livelihood near in Malampaya Sound is small-scaled fishing. And to conserve this place, the local communities must limit their fishing in there to for the sake of these endangered dolphins. 

     But some fishermen are unstable and not behaving properly, they still fishing in the area. To the local government need to banned the fishing in Malampaya Sound and migrate the communities near the area to some part of Palawan. As of today, the law of banning the fishing in the area is still continues.  

     Towards the cooperation of the people, they are continuously maintaining and sustainably enhancing the Malampaya Sound, making them to be aware and create a well-maintained place and purely beautiful natural resources.

Since Malampaya Sound is now developed, it becomes tourist spot and one of the wonderful places of the world. Let’s continue to save the world and conserve what God has given to us.

The Shell-Eco Marathon

     The shell eco marathon is an event that saves fuel, and saves earth. All of the car participants are eco-friendly. And fortunately, our school, Don Bosco Technical College achieve to jevent. And i'm proudly to say that i'm a cadet of one of the two teams that joined the shell eco marathon. I'm very thankful that even though i did little for the project, i'm still a part of it. 

     We do hard work just to finish our car. And when the day of the event comes, some of the student of the school come to the event to visit the place. We saw the track that will the cars will race, booths where students or tourist will enjoy, and of course the energy lab. It is a great annex where you can learn and appreciate the environment. 

     When the day of the race goes on, unfortunately one of our car, grigio didn't run. Next shell eco marathon, we will try our best to create a extravagant car. And i hope for great year to come for us and a continuously saving the earth.

Zero-Waste Christmas Party

   One of the days on December 2013, the 4 - ME celebrated a Christmas party including with some professors. we celebrated the party not so special, but full of happiness and so much appreciation. We celebrate it in our PN lecture room, with some foods that served for our get together.

   
   We also did this every year. But this time, we celebrate it with style. An environmental style of party that can apply in different parties. Which is called the "Zero-waste party". Unlike our past years, instead of using disposable plates, plastic spoon and fork, plastic cups, buying some drinks in a plastic bottle, we use our home plates, spoon and fork, and we just drink water than to buy drink in a plastic bottle and use plastic cups.  

   We used to it because of not much work after the party. But this year, it's not. Washing plates and against for plastics are worth it. It is not just for the environment, and it is also for us. We need to lessen the use of plastic for the good of mother earth, for the good of us.