1 Earth is a nationwide advocacy of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), a US government program intended to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.
The program focuses on the environment, with particular attention paid to marine conservation.
Last week, a group of around 30 youth scientists, beach enthusiasts, marine biologists, conservationists, and leaders converged on Sitio Lusay in Barangay Lawi, located in Jordan, Guimaras, where they played, swam, and interacted with locals to learn about the resident marine life, which is said to be slowly degrading.
The community is a breeding ground for pawikans, a type of sea turtle. Local residents have even conducted their own protection initiatives to nurse the young turtles – all without assistance from any government organizations.
The experience revealed the disadvantages of not having a sustainable tourism industry. Visitors to the Maria Islet, which is part of Sitio Lusay, contributed to the bleaching of underwater coral. This fact made the YSEALI visitors more conscious of their actions when enjoying the beach, along with realizing locals cannot do maintain the area alone.
As part of the event, a film about the Coral Sea was also screened. It provided a focal point for discussion and a learning opportunity.
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I am the proud father of Erin Larissa Canto, one of 25 young leaders selected from over 500 applicants to take part in the YSEALI Camp at Subic Bay. She is currently a third year marine biology student at the Iloilo State College of Fisheries.
SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) Camp is project of the Save the Philippines Seas movement and the US government, which seeks to encourage young Filipinos to become leaders in the field of environmental conservation.
Environmental protection and preservation are not only the responsibility of environmentalists, every Filipino has to take responsibility. Awareness of the huge problem impacting our environment should be the concern of every human being. Even the proper disposal of garbage would be a little way of making a difference./WDJ