The serious threats of climate change to national survival, calls for an urgent need for a “war footing” against climate change. It is a call for “total mobilization” of all sectors in order to abort the tipping point warned by scientists and climatologists all over the world.

1. War FootingAgainst ClimateChange:
Reduction of Carbon Footprints
By
Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz

2. War footing against climate change
The serious threats of climate change to
national survival, calls for an urgent
need for a “war footing” against climate
change. It is a call for “total mobilization”
of all sectors in order to abort the tipping
point warned by scientists and
climatologists all over the world.

3. Climate Change

4. Reducing Your Carbon
Footprint
Every citizen should work toward
reducing hisor her “carbon footprint” or
theindicator of how much each person
pollutestheEarth.

5. FOR SECTORS &
INDUSTRIES

6. TRANSPORT SECTOR
Improving road
systems that will
include bicycle lanes
and sidewalks.
Use bio-fuel blends
for gasoline and
diesel

7. POWER SECTOR
Tap potential rich sources of clean energy such as wind,
solar, tidal, geothermal and hydro power to gradually replace
coal and oil-fired power plants.

8. INDUSTRIES
Structures and buildings must be designed for
environment efficiency. Waste and water
management, and recycling, must be practiced.

9. FOR
INDIVIDUALS/COMMUNITIES

10. WASTE MANAGEMENT:
REDUCING METHANE
Segregate wastes from the source. Each household
and every office must have properly-marked trash bins
for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
A materials recovery facility (MRF) must be
established. RA 9003 mandates the setting-up of one
(1) MRF per barangay where wastes will be
processed.

11. Biodegradable Wastes
Biodegradable wastes such as left-over food may be
composed into fertilizers for urban food gardening; as
stock feed for biogas; and as raw material for “green
charcoal” production that may be used as substitute for
cooking gas.

12. Non-Biodegradable Wastes
Non-biodegradable wastes such as old newspapers, used
bond papers, soda cans and plastic bottles can either be
recycled or sold to junkshops and factories for extra
income.

13. RESIDUAL WASTES
Residual wastes such as styropor and plastic wrapper may
be shredded and used as fillers in bricks and tiles-making to
repair roads and beautification of sidewalks.

14. URBAN FOOD GARDENS
Urban Food Gardens may be created in backyards and open spaces
for planting of organic vegetables for food production, using compost
fertilizers from the MRF. Food gardens may also be set-up in rooftops
or roof decks, providing an added cooling system and insulation for
buildings.

15. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Use biodiesel for diesel-fed vehicles, and biothanol for
gasoline-fed vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions. Better yet, to
save money and exercise, why not walk or use a bicycle?

16. Replace all old flourescent lamps with
compressed fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which
cut power consumption by up to 90% while
getting the same amount of brightness.
Use biogas or ”green
charcoal” for cooking
instead of LPG

17. Practice energy conservation
measures such as shutting-off of
air conditioners before 9AM and
after 4PM.
Explore possibilities for wind,
solar energy use in homes,
offices and public places (e.g.
solar streetlamps wind
powered-water pumps).

18. PLANT TREES
Create carbon sinks by helping conserve forests and
plant trees to help absorb carbon dioxide.

19. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Communities must be primed and organized for disaster
preparedness with proper evacuation plans, refugee
management. Emergency food and water supply,
strengthened infrastructures that may serve as evacuation
camps, and education the public.

20. ADOPT A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE
The best things in life are free! Avoid using
objects that are energy-intensive like plastics.
Adopt a more organic lifestyle by doing, eating,
and being what’s natural!

21. Thank you….