Bongolanon Falls, Kidapawan City
In the beginning was the earth. It was beautiful. Humans lived upon the earth and said, “Let us build skyscrapers and expressways.” And humans covered the earth with steel and concrete. And humans said, “It is good.”
On the second day, human looked upon the clear blue waters of the earth. And human said: Let us dump sewage and wastes into the waters.” And humans did. The waters became dark and murky. And human said: “It is good…”
So many environmental problems happened then…
On the seventh day, humans rested. And the earth was quiet and deathly still. For humans was no more. And it was good.
Shall we wait for such Genesis in Reverse to happen when everything comes to an end?
Ladies and gentlemen, is it really good when humans themselves become victims of their indifference on one’s great task to God’s creations? If we continually don’t care for the future generations, certainly, we can’t deny the fact of the upcoming vortex of losses!
Look around… What had happened to the diverse flora and fauna and the abundance of our natural resources, most importantly the water sources?
Now, life is at stake with the controversial impact of global warming. Sound familiar?
Earth is endangered! Moreover, life is threatened. Why?
Pollution is everywhere. A number of domestic, agricultural, and industrial processes contribute to water pollution. For example, heavy metal ions, oil spillage, suspended solids, excess sewage mineral ions, domestic drainage effluent, fertilizers, pesticides, and thermal pollution are among the major sources of water pollutants. All of which are brought by abusive human activities in the environment.
In fact, more than half of the 42 lakes and wetlands in the prestigious Living Lakes Global 2006 were polluted and destructed. Don’t you know that more than one of six people lack access to safe drinking water and more than two out of six people lack adequate sanitation. Based on the 2008 documentary, the Land of Plenty, 1 in every 5 Filipinos has no access to potable water.
Figures from World Health Organization since 2004 revealed that 3,900 children die everyday from water borne diseases. How much more in reality with the growth of population and industrializations?
Fellowmen, what have we done with the Philippine watersheds? Today, Laguna de Bay and Taal are in critical state due to unsustainable agricultural practices. This could be recently associated with the increasing number of biologically dead rivers like Pasig and contaminated river systems. Thus, all of which are attributed to undisciplined individuals who throw their garbage anywhere without thinking of the detrimental consequences of acid rain, eutrophication, and illnesses.
How much more nowadays? With the terrible and gradual increase of Carbon dioxide, less than one percent of water in the world is potable.
See. Could you feel the changes? Time magazine of 2007 mentioned that greenhouse effect, in turn, is a principal driver of the gradual warming of the planet as there is an increase of air pollutants like CFCs and varied greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Such problem depleted the ozone layer. Take a pick!
Water crisis! What have we done? With the 40% indicator of water stress, regional collaborations must be done in the face of population and water use increases. How much more when the world population tripled in the 20th century and next fifty years!
Are we going to wait for the time that life will be more threatened because of human’s abusiveness to life’s sources, for instance, the living water?
Indifference! Pollution…That’s enough!
Wake up, fellowmen! We’ve overlooked our great responsibility. We’re all stewards of God’s creations!
If we don’t care nature, we cannot survive. If we destroy it, we perish.
Is there a way out?
Yes, indeed. I myself, you…and you… All of us are the answers of the misdeeds and lapses of the past! What a challenge of awareness, stewardship, and transformational leadership to take green actions for better change and sustainable development!
How?
Water protection! If we protect our water sources from pollution and if we do collaborative responses in water conservation and sanitation, then, water is safe. Why we have to do this?
Water is life. Scientifically, all living things need water and it’s the most abundant compound in all organisms essential in life processes.
As water consumers, we could do many actions of environmental awareness and protection. Let’s stop water pollution! Discipline ourselves. Why don’t we impart information of solid waste management in our community? Dispose our garbage properly and avoid polluting our environment.
Our social responsibility in conserving and saving water and other natural resources must be acted in consonance with the environmental laws and moral standards. As mission partners, let’s support the sustainable and environmental sanitation and protection programs of the government and concerned organizations like Water Districts.
Fellow stewards, everyone’s good and sustainable actions could lead to water sanitation and that is essential to life’s preservation. Value water as we value life!
Chief Seattle once pointed out, “Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the earth…we did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.”
Certainly, every word, value, and action counts on this world. Now is the right time to share and act for our simple ways of sustaining and protecting today’s life and conserving the nature as environmental peace envoys. Such would indeed preserve life!
Friends, we could make a good difference in saving the future of the coming generations. Everyone can create positive change in the environment. Let’s plant trees as we plant and save lives globally. Be responsible. Love and respect the integrity of God’s creations. Do spread the fine and green flame of difference in the world.
Be the change what you wish for the world.
Think about this… Are you with me?
IVY B. YECYEC
BYEE 2001
> This oratorical piece was delivered by Erik Apura last 2009 during the MKWD Regional Contest.
