A Pro-EARTH Crusader Meets An Eco Warrior

A PRO-EARTH CRUSADER MEETS AN ECO WARRIOR

by Antonio C. Antonio

November 27, 2014

“A Pro-EARTH Crusader Meets an Eco Warrior” seems to be a very intriguing title, isn’t it?  Sounds like a mix martial arts bout straight out of the UFC?  Sounds like war?  Well… please don’t be alarmed, it’s not what it appears to be.  It’s just a creative title to this little article.

Last night, a Pro-EARTH Crusader met an Eco Warrior at Rockwell, Makati City.  It was a high-energy meeting of two minds influenced and developed by the same superb learning institution:  The University of the Philippines Open University, Faculty of Management and Development Studies, the Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management program.

What brought them together was their common passion for arts (photography) although most of the discussion was on environmental issues such as: (1) The state of environmental degradation particularly in Metro Manila; (2) The sustainability of environmental advocacies; and, (3) The environmental challenges ahead.  Both of them exchanged notes and updates on our environmental situation… and, to keep the long story short, they both agreed that (a) there is a need for a more proactive approach towards environmental information, education and communication, and (b) a more dynamic and sustainable strategy in promoting participation and involvement in environmental issues and concerns. 

Both men noted that environmental matters have become too technical and complex for people to understand without spending a considerable amount of time studying and understanding.  We should consider that people, in their daily toil for more important concerns such as livelihood, simply have little or no time to spare for environmental matters.  This is the main reason why environmental issues have gone down in the list of priorities of people.  Making environmentalism simple and easy to understand should be the order of the day.  And the subsequent increase in the level of information and knowledge on environmental matters will certainly translate to more involvement and participation. 

In case you are wondering what environmental advocates and activists talk about… This is what happens when a Pro-EARTH Crusader meets an Eco Warrior.

Just my little thoughts…

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NOTE:  The Eco Warrior is Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.  Sen. Migz is known as a champion of environmental concerns, an advocacy he pursued in the Senate and among his top legislative agenda. In the 15th Congress, he chaired the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He also chaired the Committee on Cooperatives and 3 Joint Congressional Oversight Committees such as the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act; Joint Congressional Committee on Clean Air Act; and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Cooperatives.