Save Mother Earth Now!

Environmental obstruction through deforestation, air, water and soil pollution and careless waste disposal are the issues confronting Mother Earth and these were brought to the fore in the recent devastation wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in the Philippines.

So much talk and so much publicity, so many rallies and campaigns but so little has been done to help save Mother Earth. In fact, no significant change has taken place in our climate, soil and water. Massive tree planting is our ambitious move to improve the air that we breath. But how can the tree seedling survive if the soil, water and air they need are polluted? Through recycling our garbage and other waste materials, we can contribute in lessening pollution, Say's Annie Pascual Guerrero, environmentalist, an active advocate of Zero Waste Management Program. She emphasizes that waste disposal primarily does not mean burning or throwing our refuse indiscriminately. Plastics and styro products produce poisonous fumes when burned. They are non-biodegradable or do not dis integrate or decompose even after a long time . "We must learn to reuse and recycle our garbage and dispose them through proper segregation," Guerrero suggest. "There is even money in recycling and segregating," she adds.

Recycle, be practical! Here is some tips to lessen the garbage problem and minimized pollution:

1. Use plastic cups, styrophore trays/boxes or tin can may be used as pots for plant cutting or any seeds. Bore the bottom, put pebbles and fill with garden soil.

2. Do not throw plastic bags away. Use them as planters for bigger spicemen like grafted fruit trees, bougainvilleas and small species of palms. These are convenient for moving plants around or re potting plants in the future.

3. Wooden boxes used to pack fresh fruits like pomelos and oranges will make good planter boxes. Line the bottom and sides with plastic sheets or polyethylene sheets. Pierce the sheets with an ice pick and screw driver for water drainage. Fill the bottom layer with rocks, pebbles and sand, Position the plant in the center then fill with garden soil.

4. Do the same with old pails and basin. Fruit tree or vegetable seedlings grow well on these containers.

5. Styrophore chips and balls used as shock absorbers for electronic equipment, appliances and toys can be mixed with charcoal bits, fern chips and coconut husk for orchid potting-media.

6. Styrophore melted with rugby can be used as sealers of cracks on clay pots or jars.

7. Wood shaving, ashes from burnt firewood, table scraps, fruit and vegetable peels, animal manure, rotten food and other biodegradable waste materials can be buried in compose pits. It is a good organic pressing on the soil.
8. Do not burn dry leaves, mowed grass and paper. Add them to the compost pit.

9. Used motor oil can coat wooden benches and post for water proofing to prevent rotting of wood.

10. Do not burn plastic, rubber styrophore and old batteries. They emit poisonous gas.

11. Use animal manure for fertilizer, a good source of nitrogen. In a clay jar, half fill it with pig manure, add water up to 2-3 inches below the rim. Cover with dark cloth and allow to ferment for 6 to 10 weeks or until the liquid turn brown. Let all solid particles settle at the bottom.