Image by Martin Reisch

The Paris Agreement is the global effort to reduce climate change by the end of the century. Our own President Duterte is already on board with the movement and has even installed a system of solar panels in the Philippines, specifically in North Cotabato. It is possible that he may begin asking his citizens to comply as well. Here is everything you need to know about the Paris Agreement.

 

2 Degrees

The Paris Agreement is all about keeping the world’s average temperature from rising by 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels until 2100. Some may think that this is such a small number for a global movement but the smallest increase in global temperature already has huge consequences. Such a climate change could cause higher seas, drastic weather changes, and food and water droughts.

It’s Completely Voluntary

The accord states that, in order to achieve the aforementioned goal, countries should reach their peak emissions as soon as possible – before 2020 to be exact. This is the time when carbon emissions need to begin to decline rapidly lest the whole planet suffer the dire consequences. However it is not stated how the government is to do so. It only provides the framework to start greenhouse gas reduction. The government of each involved country will decide how they will reach their peak emissions as fast as possible.

The idea is to create a culture of accountability. Because of this, no punishment is provided for breaking the agreement for all 195 countries that have agreed to it. But since there was no punishment, the US was able to withdraw from it. While they are not bound to follow it, their withdrawal has been subject to global criticism.

The Rich will Help The Poor

Part of the agreement is for richer countries to provide 100 billion dollars by 2020 to aid less financially-capable countries. The logic of this provision, in relation to climate change, is that the rich countries will be making up for their malpractices. These countries were able to attain their money by burning huge amounts of fossil fuels which also contributed to climate change. Thus, poor countries that do not have the budget needed to protect themselves from global warming suffer because of the actions of rich countries.

The amount of $100 billion per year is set to increase over time. However, like other provisions in the agreement, this is isn’t an absolute mandate.

Donald Trump and the Withdrawal of the United States

As previously mentioned POTUS Donald Trump has recently withdrawn the United States of America from Paris Agreement. He also claimed that climate change was a hoax created by the Chinese to hurt the economy of his country. Ever since he was sworn into office, Trump has been rolling back rules that limit carbon emissions and backing out of the Paris Agreement just further proved this.

Under the Obama administration, the US promised that it would reduce its carbon emissions by 28% by 2025. This amounts to 1.6 billion tons of carbon. Approximately 150 businesses as well as some states have already agreed to comply to this. It is clear that the United States would have played a key factor in reaching the Paris Agreement’s goal especially given that it is the world’s secpnd largest pollutant.

What Happens Next?

Since the US has withdrawn, the world is now looking to China to take the lead the agreement and the country has already taken up the mantle. Premier Li Keqiang said that “China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change”. Being that his country is the largest pollutant, their compliance with the agreement is what the world needs to see that the agreement’s goals are reached. They have already committed to reaching their peak emissions by 2030 so that they may quickly shrink it afterwards. Also, they will be investing $350 billion in renewable energy by 2020.

 

The Paris Agreement is a global movement and one of the biggest showcase of world unity in a long time. For it to succeed its mission, world leaders are making the efforts to reach peak emissions as soon as possible. In order for them to do that, their citizens must follow the changes and new acts they may implement.

 

Solar panels in the Philippines are extremely useful as they are able to utilize the harsh rays of the sun by converting it into renewable energy. It’s not exactly a good thing though that that both the temperatures and the sea levels have rapidly been rising, all because of global warming.

If you’ve never given a thought about why each year just gets hotter and hotter, then it’s time to open your eyes to what climate change has been doing to the world.

 

Uncharted Territory

According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the record breaking heat of 2016 has been continuing in 2017. In 2016, the heat was caused by carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This along with a strong El Niño is what caused the all time high heat.

However, even with the death of El Niño, the extreme temperatures have continued in 2017. Because of this, the director of WMO, David Carlson, described this year to be “uncharted territory” as it looks like the world record for global temperature will be broken again in 2017.

 

The Climate in 2016

For context on how dire the situation is for the world today, here is a summary of the climate in 2016.

Record high temperatures were set in these countries:

• In January a temperature of 42.7C (108.9F) was recorded in Pretoria, South Africa.
• In April a temperature of 44.6C (112.3F) was recorded in Mae Hong Son,Thailand.
• In May, a temperature of 51.0C (123.8F) was recorded in Phalodi, India.
• In July, a temperature of 54.0C (129.2F) was recorded in Mitribah, Kuwait.

 

The oceans also suffered from the heat with up to 50% mortality rate in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and 75% of the biggest reef in Japan experiencing coral bleaching. To clarify, coral bleaching occurs when the corals get stressed out due to extreme heat, and become in danger of dying.

Scientific research has shown that the last time the world was this warm was 115,000 years ago. The most dangerous greenhouse gasses, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, are all rising at an alarming rate and will cause even more severe global warming in the near future. The results include melting glaciers and ice sheets, causing a rise in sea levels and the possibility of coastal cities becoming submerged.

 

 

The Climate in 2017

According to Doha-based media company Al Jazeera, the NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information has reported three facts about the temperature in March 2017:

• It’s the 4^th warmest month in a database that started in 1880
• It’s the 2^nd warmest March, with March 2016 being the first
• The temperature during this month was 1.12C above the overall average temperature of the database.

In the same database, the warmest months were January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, March 2017, and February 2017. From these figures, experts say that 2017 will challenge 2016 for the warmest year in recorded history.

 

Donald Trump

While multiple experts such as research scientist Jeffrey Kargel and climate change scientist David Reay have called for immediate action to combat climate change, POTUS Donald Trump and his administration have chosen to cut climate change research programs. In fact, he has recently chosen to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, wherein countries are dedicate efforts to mitigate global warming.

Trump’s reasoning is that the terms in the agreement provide unfair environmental standards for American business. Because of this, he demands for renegotiation before rejoining. However, said the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy have stated that the terms in the accord are “irreversible”.

This greatly weakens that battle against global warming because America is the world’s second largest polluter; without their participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, the world’s climate and global warming are less likely to see major improvements.

 

Clearly the world is in a dire state with human emissions of carbon dioxide causing the rise of global warming at a dangerous rate. It will fall on China, the world’s leading polluter, to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement and each and every one of us to make efforts in reducing our carbon footprint for us to have a fighting chance at saving the world.

 

 

If you’re trying to think of a good science project and you live in a country where the sun doesn’t stop shining like the Philippines, then a solar panel and few cheap materials is all you need! With these you can create your own mini solar car. Here is how you do it:

 

Materials

1. A light wood or plastic frame; at least 6 square centimeters
2. 4 small axles or thin metal bars
3. 4 wheels
4. 4 eye
5. Adhesives and tape
6. 1 DC Motor
7. 1 small solar panel; just big enough to fit your mini car frame
8. 1 small gear and/or pulley
9. 1 large gear
10. Thin plastic tubes or drinking straws
11. 1 soldering iron

 

Creating the Body

Take the wood or plastic frame and create the basic body, at least 5cm wide. First you must figure out where to place the eye screws that will hold the axels. To do this, plot out four points near each corner on one side of the body that will serve as the bottom of the car; the points must be about an inch from the end of the length and ½ inch from the side. Note that these points MUST be parallel to each other. Firmly place the eye screws.

 

Adding the Wheels

Insert the 2 axles inside the eyes of the eye screws; 1 axle to hold the front wheels and another to hold the back wheels. When placing the axels on the screws, keep in mind that they must be able to rotate freely.

Then use plastic tubes or pieces of straw to be the spacer between the eye screws, and the wheels and gear that you will be placing on the axle. The tubes/straw will prevent these components from swaying from side to side.

Place one large gear in one of the axles. This will serve as the connection of the axle and the motor. Thus, this is an important step; fail here and the car will not run properly. As much as possible try to find a gear that is the perfect fit for the axle. If you cannot find one, then get a plastic gear with a small entry point. You can carefully burn the hole with a soldering iron to make it larger and fit the axle firmly. Whichever you choose to do, glue the gear into place on the axle.

Insert the wheels into the axles and adjust/replace your spacers if needed. Once you have the proper measurements, glue the wheels in.

 

Building the Electronics

Add a small gear or pulley system onto the shaft of the DC motor. Then glue this on to the top of the body of the car (on the other side of the axles) in a way the teeth of the small gear interlocks with the teeth of the large gear firmly yet smoothly. After you do this, move the car back and forth on the flat ground to make sure that the gears are properly working together.

Next, wire the motor to your solar panel and glue the panel into place. You could position this in any way that you want, depending on your design preferences. However, it is recommended that you keep it either horizontal or tilted so it could capture as much heat from the sun as possible.

Once this is done, you are finished constructing your miniature solar car. You must then test if it works!

 

Testing

The first thing you should test again is if the wheels can still rotate properly. Check it on the flat ground, rough ground, an inclined surface, or in your hand.

When you are sure that the wheels can rotate smoothly, look for a good heat source. Either good outside on a sunny day or use a strong lamp (at least 120 watts). If all the wiring is correct, then your car will run. Revise and correct the wiring or construction if your car fails to move.

 

 

The heat from the sun (or any other light source) will be absorbed by the solar panel which converts it into electric energy. This can be used to power almost anything, given that the panel can convert enough energy to handle it. In this case, it powered a small motor which was smartly connected to gears, axles and wheels hence allowing the car to move.

It’s time we all realized that we should be more sensitive on how we treat our environment – and the earth as a whole. We are, after all, the main cause of the degradation and pollution of the environment. We’re the ones who constantly pollute the waters (not just with waste and chemicals, but also with thermal pollution,) burn fuel that create harmful gases (which consequently destroy our ozone layer and puts our health and lives at risk) and so much more. These facts only point to one thing: we should change the way we treat the planet we live in.

There are many ways we can be good to earth. Reducing waste is one. Another is to actively support environmental organizations in various projects dedicated to nursing the environment back to health. Here in the Philippines, solar panels are slowly entering the current trend as it allows the use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. One way to know for sure that you’re consistently doing the environment more good than harm is by building a green home. If that’s not convincing enough, here are a few other reasons to go green.

 

Low Operations Cost

When a green building or house is being built, components such as materials used, furniture, and fixtures; features that make the consumption of energy considerably lower are incorporated into the construction process  to guarantee the efficient use of water, electricity, and other resources when the structure is finished; which effectively makes the building/house save up as much energy as it can. It is a well-known fact that as much as 80% of a building or house’s lifetime cost comes from the operating costs, this includes the water, electric, and other operating necessities of a structure. Hence, if you have a green building, you can considerably reduce the operational costs of your structure, and be able to save money.

However, it is worth noting that the construction cost of eco-friendly building or homes are more expensive than their non-green counterparts, but when it comes to the long-term costs such as operational and maintenance fees, the eco-friendly building is cheaper.

Energy Efficiency

The goal of the people that construct green buildings/homes is to reduce the overall dependency on nonrenewable sources of energy; which is why they want the structure to be as efficient as possible, and to eradicate any hint of energy that came from nonrenewable sources.  Consequently, they choose to incorporate solar panels to reduce the dependency on electricity that come from non-renewable sources. They also incorporate as much windows as they can to reduce the dependency on artificial light, and to ensure that the building only uses up energy in an efficient manner. They make it a point that for efficiency to be incorporated because it not only helps the owner, but it also reduces the dependency of people from non-renewable sources of energy, and most importantly, pollution.

Health Benefits

Aside from energy efficiency, people can also enjoy better health benefits when they live in eco-friendly homes and buildings. The primary difference of a green building from a non-green building is the materials that they use to construct the overall structure. The materials that eco-friendly construction companies use are non-toxic and they also avoid using plastic by-products. This is all due to the health hazards that plastic by-products have because they release carcinogens that not only cause breathing problems, but are also known to cause cancer.

 

Converting to a green home or building will ensure that you will have cheaper operational costs, energy efficiency, and some health benefits that you would not have otherwise obtained if you opted for a traditional structure. So, what are you waiting for? Convert to a green home/building now!

 

 

With the introduction of alternative energy sources and the reduction of solar panel prices in the Philippines, our country is on its way to being powered by renewable energy. In fact, several establishments in our country have become green businesses in many ways, including in terms of their source of energy. As they should.

You may ask why so. While fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) help power the world, they are extremely harmful in many ways. Extraction alone through drilling and mining negatively impact not only the environment, but also the health of workers and those living in the surrounding areas. Waters around the world are extremely polluted from the numerous oil spills to the point where a large portion of marine life is severely affected.

Another big concern are the greenhouse gas emissions when fossil fuels are burned. In our country, air pollution is extremely evident in the Philippines as smoke emitted from vehicles, public transportation, and factories make it difficult to breathe. It also pollutes rain water and creates something known as ‘acid rain’. In China, a thick layer of smog would sometimes cover the country’s capital due to coal combustion. Unbelievable!

These are just a few of the reasons why renewable energy such as wind, solar, geothermal should replace fossil fuels in time. Here are other reasons why it’s bound to happen sooner or later.

 

They’re Running Out Fast

Because we use so much energy derived from fossil fuel, plus the fact that they are non-renewable, these sources are finite. As of late it’s already getting harder and harder to new reserves of fossil fuels. While it’s unlikely to run out within the next couple of years, it definitely will not last us forever.

They’re Extremely Harmful

As mentioned before, many of these non-renewable sources of energy emit harmful and toxic gases that can affect one’s surroundings and health. For example, not only can smoke belching from the city’s public transportation prove to trigger asthma attacks, but prolonged exposure to these gases can trigger symptoms akin to being exposed to secondhand smoke. In certain parts of the Philippines, old jeepneys and buses are starting to be replaced by electric or solar-powered vehicles. The reason why is that many of these modes of transportation are old and outdated and emit harmful gases for the environment and its people.

 

That being said, renewable energy still has a long way to go before it becomes the primary source of energy of people all over the world. The important thing is that sitting around and waiting for the planet to save itself won’t do any of us any good. You can start with small things like refraining from using plastic if there are other alternatives, recycling to minimize trash, using energy-efficient alternatives to various items, and patronizing green businesses. Interested in how Solaric became one of the leading solar power products provider in the Philippines? Find out in this article by SEO Hacker!

 

 

With large corporations being largely responsible for many kinds of pollution, concerned businesses have become more conscious of their carbon footprint. Some are now putting more effort into going green. Business owners make this decision for several reasons: to help save the earth, to become more appealing to the masses, and for long-term cost-efficiency.

In the Philippines, the price of solar panels have dropped significantly over the last few years due to cheaper materials and popular demand. This is why they are becoming ever so popular in residences and businesses intending to go green. Here’s a quick comparison of pros and cons

 

Pros

Save Money

The primary benefits of utilizing renewable energy and other efforts towards sustainability are efficiency in energy consumption and reduced waste. Consequently, this also means you get to save a lot of money in the long run. Your electric bill will be considerably lowered, and a substantial amount could be saved by reducing the total number of paper that your company has to use.

Branding

Consumers are constantly looking for ways to ‘help the world, – in a way, it’s sad that many people only do this by choosing products that blatantly announce being environmental-friendly. Branding your business as being eco-friendly makes it more appealing to the masses – however, make sure that it’s authentic. Those caught greenwashing, which is – claiming to be more eco-friendly than you really are,  you will lose the trust and respect of the consumers.

Boosting Company Morale

When people search for a job, one of the first things that comes to their minds when looking for a company is its reputation. Having a reputation of being one of the few eco-friendly companies in a specific industry will definitely increase the overall respect and admiration that you receive from the community. Similarly, research shows that companies whose focus is directed at sustainability have employees that are more committed and motivated. Many people want to work for companies that care about the world, and are more than happy to contribute.

 

Cons

It Takes Time

Going eco-friendly is a process that takes up a considerable amount of time, effort, and money. The decision can happen overnight, but actually implementing and maintaining it takes quite a while. Consequently, choosing to make this decision will require you to put in constant effort to maintain and care for the changes that you’ve integrated into the company.

Initial Costs are Higher

Initial cost is for eco-friendly alternatives tend to be more expensive when compared to their mass-produced counterparts. Why? Because the production scale of eco-friendly products is still considerably small and currently aren’t the norm. Take this for example: solar panels are cheaper now, but you’ll still need to pay for purchasing the panels and installation. They don’t just come with a newly bought or rented office or commercial space like a normal power supply. However, in the long-run, the amount that you will save will eventually surpass the initial costs.

Eco-friendly household products such as those used for cleaning are far less toxic. You won’t be exposing yourself, the staff, and the customers to poisonous chemicals each time you spray. Other items considered to be friendly to the environment include solar-powered gadgets and sustainable products such as stainless steel straws and reusable bags in lieu of plastic.

 

Going green might sound too much of a hassle at first, but if you read and hear testimonies from people that are already in the “green” business, you’ll know that it is quite rewarding. Aside from benefitting your business and the environment, it’ll also help you grow as an individual that contributes to a good cause in the world.

Since renewable energy began becoming more affordable, the number of people making the switch from fossil fuel have considerably increased compared to the years before. In countries all over the world including the Philippines, solar panels are becoming much more cost-effective. More importantly, adapting solar panels and using solar-powered gadgets are a couple of ways to help save the earth while maintaining a lifestyle with technology that we’ve all grown accustomed to.

There are many adverse effects of our use of non-renewable energy, but perhaps the one with the biggest impact is pollution; every kind there is, is generally because of humans. We’ve discussed ocean pollution, but there is one kind is mostly unknown due to its inconspicuous nature: thermal pollution.

 

What is Thermal Pollution

Thermal Pollution refers to the sudden temperature increase or gradual drying out of bodies of water (rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans) due to human activity. Its primary cause is the use of these waters for industrial purposes, then returning the altered water to the natural resources with an altered temperature. Increased temperature in waterbodies causes the oxygen levels of the water to be altered in an immediate timeframe, which has disastrous effects on the ecosystems in and around it.

 

Causes and Effects

To explain thermal pollution further, let’s talk about its different causes and respective effects.

 

Being Used as a Cooling Agent

As mentioned above, water from natural bodies of water such as seas and lakes are used to cool down the machinery in factories. This alters the temperature of the water that is then returned to the source. This might not seem like a massive difference, but this will actually cause the temperature of the whole body of water to rise in a drastic manner. This leads to the alteration of oxygen levels in the body of water, which can degrade the longevity of the marine life, and can negatively affect the vegetation that is located around the body of water. By affecting the life quality of these marine species, it can ultimately obliterate the habitat if it is not properly controlled.

Soil Erosion

Another primary cause of thermal pollution is constant soil erosion. By having the weight of the soil come down on the body of water, it causes it the water levels to rise and be more exposed to the sun’s rays. It will eventually lead to a rise in the temperature in the body of water, which will have the same effects when the water is used as a cooling agent.

Deforestation

In addition to increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in our world, deforestation can also lead to thermal pollution. Cutting down the trees that surround a body of water takes away the shade that reduces the water’s exposure to the sun’s rays. The disappearance of the trees will lead to a jump in the temperature of the water, and will have the same effect as stated above.

 

Thermal pollution is real, and the world needs us to stop it – or at the very least, control it. Increasing awareness and getting more local people involved in petitioning against its causes are key to prevention. Consider joining a reputable environmental organization to learn more about how you can help save the earth.

 

 

It is no great secret that the world is experiencing a huge crisis – namely climate change, which is caused by air pollution. Ocean pollution is extremely rampant as well. For this reason, a number of pollution awareness campaigns have been created and conducted by the government to prevent pollution. In the Philippines, solar panels, induction cookers, rechargeable batteries, reusable water bottles, and other green products are being generated in order to resolve pollution gradually.

Here are some facts that tackles about how bad pollution is, especially ocean pollution, and how we can prevent and stop it completely.

 

 

What is Ocean Pollution?

With the ocean being the largest body of water on earth, it is home to innumerable cephalopods, crustaceans, shellfish, corals, marine mammals, fishes, sharks, and turtles. Sadly, the superfluous activities of humans have ruthlessly affected the marine life.

Ocean pollution, or also known as marine pollution, is the dispersal of destructive elements such as plastic, oil, industrial and agricultural waste, and chemical specks into the ocean. Proof of its negative effects on marine life include carcasses of beached animals with stomachs full of plastic, turtles whose shells were deformed by ordinary objects (such as six-pack rings), and many more.

 

Sources of Ocean Pollution

There are a number of reasons why the oceans are polluted, one of which is mining for materials such as copper and gold. Mining can greatly contaminate the ocean since it can interfere with the life cycles of the marine organisms and life.

Aside from mining, here are some of the main sources of ocean pollution:

 

• Illegal release of untreated raw sewage from households and factories
• Chemicals that are dumped from big and small factories
• Agricultural run-offs that goes into the rivers, streams, and groundwater sources
• Urbanization
• The increasing utilization of artificial organic substances
• Oil spills
• Acid rain that is caused by the burning of fossil fuels
• Human littering in rivers, oceans, lakes and other bodies of water
• Human waste thrown into bodies of water such as plastics, aluminum, glass, and Styrofoam.

What is alarming with the list above is that almost everything man-made is a harmful product or element that is greatly polluting the Earth’s water. Though there are several environmental organizations dedicated to marine conservation, it is undeniable that the Earth’s oceans are severely contaminated.

 

 

Effect of Water Pollution to Humans

For land creatures, humans spend quite a surprising amount of time in ocean waters. Swimming in contaminated water can lead to a wide variety of infections. Accidentally drinking the water may cause a stomach-ache, or worse – it could expose you to diseases such as typhoid, cholera, paratyphoid fever, dysentery, jaundice, amoebiasis, and malaria. Consumption of contaminated seafood, even when cooked, is also harmful for humans and other animals.

 

General Effects of Water Pollution

As ocean pollution is getting more rampant today, the marine life is also getting more and more endangered. Oil spills in the ocean can directly get on the gills of marine animals and feathers of seabirds. As a result, they find it hard to move and fly properly. In addition, it can also be difficult for them to feed their children.

The long term effect of pollution on marine life can ultimately lead to them in acquiring diseases such as cancer, behavioural changes, failure in their reproductive system, or worse – death.

 

Cleaning the Ocean Little by Little

As stewards of the Earth, we humans must do our part in cleaning the planet’s bodies of water. For this reason, we should do these things little by little.

 

• Throw your garbage in designated trash cans. Even those you leave on the shore are likely to get washed up into the ocean.
• Don’t dispose harmful chemicals and substances in the ocean.
• If you see anyone that is throwing litters garbage into any body of water, give them a gentle warning.
• Even when on vacation, do not partake in activities that will ultimately pollute the water.
• Educate your children, friends, family members, and colleagues about the current state of our oceans. By doing this, you are helping spread awareness of our oceans’ plight in your community.

 

 

Ever heard of the term ‘green technology’? Green technology refers to machinery and equipment used to reverse the negative effects of human activity on our natural resources. It is closely associated with the use of renewable natural resources such as sunlight and wind. Common examples of green technology include wind turbines and solar panels. In the Philippines, the prices of green technology are slowly becoming more and more affordable to encourage everyone to move into a sustainable lifestyle.

 

The Goal of Green Technology

Just like in any type of innovation, green technology has also was created with particular goals in mind. Its primary purpose is for humans to be able to maximize the use of new technologies without compromising our natural resources. This largely depends on being able to successfully introduce sustainable living to people.

Sustainable living means living in a way that attempts to lessen the use of Earth’s natural resources and reduce one’s carbon footprint. For example, electric cars are an ideal form of private transportation. Unlike in a typical vehicle, an electric car uses rechargeable batteries that stores electrical energy. This means there is no need to use fossil fuel to keep the car’s engine running, which lessens the greenhouse gas emissions.

There are other several simple ways on how to live sustainably, such as eating organic food, making less waste by practicing recycling and reusing, driving less, and opting for environmental-friendly products, among others.

 

Future Trends in Green Technology

Here are some of the green technologies that will enhance the condition of the environment by making it sustainable and efficient to live in.

 

• Alternative Energy – Countries such as Sweden and Denmark are already utilizing alternative energy to lessen the dependency on fossil fuels. The availability of sunlight and wind makes it easier for people to switch to renewable energy. In the Philippines, solar and wind energy are two renewable energies that are being utilized in both residential and commercial establishments.
• Vertical Farming – Vertical farming is a modern take to traditional farming. Food is produced in vertically stacked layers, to save space. It also aims to lessens the use of water and use of toxic pesticides.

 

Green technology is all about being practical and sustainable — being able to conserve and protect our natural resources so we can have a better future and preserve enough resources for the future generation as well.