ONE for the Earth

I'm no environmentalist and I'm not one to advocate for the Earth. But that doesn't mean I exploit it and all. In fact, I believe I protect our nature in my own little ways such as always seeing to it to throw my trash - big or small - in the trash can, and walking instead of riding jeepneys if time and weather permits.

However, our organization recently partnered with WWF. We volunteered to bring Earth Hour 2011 to UP and encourage dormitories to join and switch off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 on Saturday, March 26.

At first, it was just like any other project to me. But things changed after we've attended the first Coffee Conversations held at Fully Booked at The Fort last March 11. We were shown beautiful photos of some of WWF's projects. There were photos of whale sharks, tunas, coral reefs, etc. Afterwards, all of us in the room were asked to choose one photo and explain how we can help in preserving the different life forms we saw in it.

For some reason, it took me a long time to think of something to say. Yes, we were caught off guard (well, sort of) but Macky was able to come up with a whole plan and I thought, why can't I? So I ended up deviating and instead shared what we were planning to do in UP. But everyone in the room were able to say something simple, brilliant and realistic. That was when I realized we don't have to be like those hardcore environmentalists we see in TV to be called nature's advocates. I learned that we can all be stewards of our surroundings in our own ways.

I am currently heading this project and this must be the biggest thing I've done for the Earth so far. So I am calling on each and everyone of you to, at the very least, offer an hour for Mother Earth on Saturday, from 8:30 to 9:30. Altogether, let's make this thing the start of our commitment to save the nature. :)