Climate Reality: First Act of Leadership

It's been a long while! I've been very busy with my job that I haven't had the time to blog in ages, but here we are again, yay!

For the last 1.5 years, I've been teaching engineering subjects in college, and it's the perfect opportunity to share my passion - environment-hugging. 

Last Feb 2016, I attended VP Al Gore's Climate reality here in the Philippines, and it was an exhilarating experience. 

After the seminar, we were required to have 10 Acts of Leadership, and I was very happy to do my first act so I shared my new earned knowledge to my students (6 sections, about 40 students each), as I was teaching Environmental Engineering.

The most important part of the lecture I gave them is the effects of CO2 to our climate, and what we can do to avoid them. It's especially relatable because during that time, we were experiencing El Nino. Included in the lecture were some of the ways we can do to reduce carbon emission. 

So one of their final requirements in class was to reduce 50kg of carbon emission per group (with 3 members). I taught them calculations and directed them to some sites where carbon emissions can be computed so that they would know if their activities can reduce 50gk CO2 or if they need to do more activities.

Most groups did what I included in the lectures as examples. They changed their diet from eating beef to having a vegetarian diet. Some switched their lights and other appliances off when not in use.

One example of their activities

Moreover, I was surprised and awed by their creativity. One group amazed me because instead of personally reducing their carbon emissions, they wrote a letter of request to their dean for the whole building to participate. It was requested to switch off air conditioners and lights after 5pm, because most classes are until 5pm only. 

Another group went house to house to introduce their neighborhood to carbon emission reduction, and they made them pledge to reduce the usage of their lights and electricity.

Of course, while they were doing those carbon reduction activities, I also did my part. I use organic detergents, shampoo and conditioner, unplug unused appliances, and make sure to reduce the use of plastics.

Overall, I hope I made them realize what they can do to prevent climate change, and that they will reduce cabon emission even if they were not required.