Global warming is the most severe ecological danger mankind is facing today. It is a problem every human being needs to address and help solve.
“One way, us Filipinos, can help abate the effects of global warming is to promote and support organic agriculture,” said Ecological Society of the Philippines president Antonio M. Claparols.
“This country is rich with natural capital, we are rich in agricultural lands, all we have to do is enhance it and protect our soil by using organic fertilizers.”
Claparols said the Filipino farmers can benefit from the low cost of organic fertilizers and at the same time attain self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
“But to attain this, we need the full weight of the Philippine government,” he said. “Our political leaders must promote organic farming and stop the use of chemical and oil base fertilizers.”
Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are found to be damaging to the soil. To some extent it can cause topsoil to lose its fertility permanently.
“If we continue to use chemical fertilizers, we sacrifice long-term fertility for short term gain,” Claparols added. “And besides, organic agriculture is more effective in removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.”
According to a recent study on organic farming, healthy plants and soil can act as sinks for carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere, thus, helping the earth rid of gasses that harm the environment.