Direct evidence of global warming is now being experienced by people all over the world --heat waves, stronger typhoons, forest fires, famine, and drought among others.
All of us have to hurry and urgently do our share to stop global warming before 2030 for our planet and people, including us, to survive.
Contributing to effective, eco-friendly waste management is one doable, immediate step all can take to mitigate climate change and avert global warming.
Coupled with waste prevention measures, the regulation on the use of certain types of single-use plastics, as a start, will help mitigate climate change as greenhouse gas emissions are reduced in the manufacture, distribution, and use of products, as well as the management of the resulting waste.
However, despite existing legislation regulating the production and use of single-use plastics, the Philippines, Cebu included, continues to be a haven for the fast-moving consumer goods wrapped in single-use plastics which leak into water bodies, into our precious rivers, seas, and oceans.
What can we all do, now, this very minute, to avert global warming, through regulating/ managing our plastic wastes?
You may wish to refer to the following previous Perspective articles about various helpful initiatives and responses to ecologically and better manage plastics: Dealing with plastic waste, published April 27, 2017; Eco-initiatives, published August 18, 2018; and Regulating plastics in Cebu City, published December 5, 2019.
Just as I was writing this piece Friday morning, our eco-advocate and partner, Ms. Emma Azcarraga Ramas, founder/president of Bio Nutrient Waste Management Inc. sent this timely message:
“Please bring all kinds of plastic garbage (clean and dry) to be saved inside Laudato Si Plastic Ark van. See you 9 a.m. today in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. We begin cleaning nature as our First Friday Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Emma explained that this plastic collection initiative is a project of Plastic Credit Exchange, an international organization (more details about this project and partners in a next issue please).
You may wish to donate your clean and dry plastic items or sell the items, for P2 per kilo to "Aling Tindera" who has a small store near the Laudato Si Plastic Ark van, which according to Emma, is “parked near the exit gate of the church.”
Rather than throw away your own, your household, your school, your office, your church, your organizaton’s plastic waste just anywhere, please start to clean, dry and bring, donate and/or sell these to the Laudato Si Plastic Ark van parked at the Sacred Heart Parish in 242 Dionisio Jakosalem St, Cebu City.
Please spread the word around, among your household members, your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, your classmates, others.
Encourage, invite them as well to clean, dry, donate or sell their plastic waste items!
Can you imagine if everyone in barangays, offices, universities/schools, stores, and more starts NOW to clean, dry and bring their plastic wastes to the Laudato Si Plastic Ark van, then imagine how many water bodies, the rivers near you, the seas and oceans can be restored and protected from these harmful, non-biodegradable plastic wastes!
Urgently calling Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma!
Imagine if all parishes in Cebu City and province can be encouraged by Archbishop Palma to stop single-use plastics and/or to clean, dry, donate or bring/sell their plastic items to the Laudato Si Plastic Ark van at the Sacred Heart Parish!
Calling all city, town, barangay officials, DepEd, other government and private agencies, organizations, businesses, and industries to join this laudable, eco-campaign to save our earth!
Want to earn money from selling your plastics or earn points from the Lord for taking care of his earth and creations by cleaning, drying and donating your plastics?
The planet will also certainly, joyfully reward your wonderful contribution to avert global warming!