GPSEA Lighted 2,000 Candles in Commemoration of Chernobyl Disaster

We just have a solemn, symbolic candle lighting ceremony last night in commemoration of the Chernobyl disaster - the worst nuclear power plant disaster - 23 years ago.

Greenpeace supporters, volunteers, allies and friends lighted more than 2,000 candles at Bantayog ng mga Bayani ground in Quezon City last night as part of the protest to the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

The activity was also part of this month's Greencafe and celebration of Earth Day.

There was a photo exhibit of the Chernobyl disaster for Greenpeace supporters and friends at 4 pm.

The attendees watched the Zero Hour - a Chernobyl disaster documentary video of Discovery Channel

It was raining while we were watching the video. It still was when we started to light the candles. But after watching the video I was more convinced that we do not need a risky, expensive technology as a source of energy.

We offered a moment of silence for the immediate victims of the disaster and to its "continuing legacy of deaths, cancers and contamination."

The candles were wet. The grass were wet. My back was getting wet. But it seemed everybody was moved to light the 2,000 candles.

Few more minutes and it was done. We spelled "NO NUKES."

Please see photos here.
Please see Greenpeace blog here.

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Photo credits: Greenpeace South East Asia

PGMA Finally Signed RE Bill

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally signed, on December 16, 2008, the Renewable Energy Law.

Von Hernandez - Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia in a statement said:
"Greenpeace welcomes this long-awaited enactment of the Renewable Energy (RE) Law. This signals that the Philippines is on track towards achieving an ‘Energy Revolution’ which can end our dependence on fossil fuels and move the country into a low carbon emissions economy which is a key solution to the problem of dangerous climate change. Given the worsening manifestations of a changing climate, moving our country away from this deadly and destabilizing addiction to fossil fuels is an unquestionable obligation.

"The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to be drafted within a year of the law's enactment must be robust enough to successfully fulfill the intentions of the RE Law. Greenpeace will continue to monitor the development of this policy to ensure that it remains true to its foremost aim to catalyze massive investments of renewable energy technologies in the power sector. In the end, The RE Law must be the means by which the country will be weaned away from dependence on dangerous fossil fuels such as coal.

"We hope that the Philippine government will not negate and squander this historic opportunity to chart an alternative, safe and secure energy pathway for the country, by insisting on building more harmful coal-fired power plants and pursuing dangerous nuclear energy. If the latter two should come to pass, then it would truly be a disaster for this country and the government will have frittered away a golden opportunity to transition the country to a clean energy future."

Last December 4, Greenpeace supporters and allies visited the senate to deliver a symbolical solar powered lantern and to thank them in passing the bill in the senate house.

Fourth Green Cafe

I miss the fourth Green Cafe today.

Today's Green Cafe is intended for children aged 5 to 12. There will be a one - hour discussion on Climate Change and the things that little kids can do to help save the climate.

Instead of solar coffee, solar chocolate will be served. There will be a solar-powered chocolate fountain also.