Dare to Make a Difference: Volunteer for Greenpeace

Our company's Monday Morning meeting is always exciting.

Last Monday, in one of our activities, I was able to share about my affiliation with Greenpeace Southeast Asia. I was glad to find out that one of my office mates has been interested to join Greenpeace. I was glad that another earthling wants to help us get the job done in a peaceful manner.

For her, and for everyone who wants to be a member, supporter or volunteer of Greenpeace, the video below is for you.



Please click here for the membership
guidelines.

Please see Greenpeace's On-street venues here.

Research Say 59% Will Go for Green Car

Almost 60% chose to buy green car over a dream car. Fifteen percent said they will buy a new car in the next 12 months. This is the result of Synovate research conducted across 18 countries in March 2009.

Here's some of what Synovate global research found.

Dream, green or in between?
Is green mainstream? Can the lure of the environmentally friendly vehicle outweigh the desire for all the raw power of the petrol engine? Synovate asked respondents to forget about money for a moment and tell us whether they would buy green, dream or in between.

The top answer across all 18 markets, if money were no object, was to buy a green car, with 37% of respondents saying this would be their preferred purchase. Thirty-one percent said they would buy their dream car and a further 22% claimed that 'my dream car is a green car'... meaning that 59% - or very nearly six in ten - showed the desire to go green.

"Car makers are producing more and more options that will appeal to this fast-growing group of green-inclined people," says Synovate's CEO of Motorsesearch, Scott Miller.

"But we cannot forget that cars are the ultimate product when it comes to an emotional connection with people. What you drive says more about you than you think. There will always be a group of people who do not want to compromise on dream cars for green reasons. The answer? The 22% who want both are the way of the future. Car makers will produce vehicles that are dream and green."

Some of the highest results for 'green' (adding 'green car' to 'dream car is a green car') were Thailand at 77%, Korea at 76%, China at 75% and Brazil at 72%.

Synovate's Director of Motoresearch for China Kelvin Gin, says it's not a surprising result for China.

"Last year's Olympic Games really highlighted issues with China's air quality, plus the Government has made concessions for both green car manufacturers and the people who choose to buy and drive them. In fact there is RMB10 billion (approx US$1.5 billion) up for grabs for investment in manufacturing greener cars."

Similarly the Brazilian Government provides incentives for people to buy greener vehicles.

"By law, all cars now have to be flex-fuel which has quite quickly made 'green' cars part of behaviour and thinking in Brazil," says Ari Gonzalis, New Business Director for Synovate Motoresearch in Brazil.

"Brazilians are also proud that the nation is a leader in developing alternative fuel that is cheaper and pollutes less. By making 'green' de rigueur, the Government has actually created a scenario where people's dream cars are green by definition."

Despite the 'fantasy' element of the question where money is no object, Synovate Korea's Motoresearch Head, ByeongHwan Je, puts the Korean lean towards green down to economics.

"Green or hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and, together with pollution concerns, this economical issue would be a big part of why Koreans put green over dream."

The nation most likely to simply elect 'green car' was Germany, with 58% choosing the environment over their dream cars.

So where can the dreamers be found? Overall, 31% of people would still choose their dream car green-be-damned, 35% of men and 27% of women. The single biggest result for dream car came from South Africa where over half of all respondents (53%) would go for their fantasy vehicle.

South Africa-based Richard Rice, Director of Global Motoresearch Sales & Marketing for Synovate, says that, in South Africa, the car is probably the closest product that comes to a visible expression of who a person is.

"Here a car is emotional. People love their cars... for the freedom, for the image they create, for what it says about their status. Consequently, that image is far more important than how environmentally friendly a car is.

"Compounding this is that many car buyers in South Africa are the first family members to even be able to buy a car, so in the excitement, green considerations will fall by the wayside. We'll go with however much power we can afford."

Similarly, 47% of Indians say they would go dream, something that Sumit Arora, Head of Synovate's Motoresearch group in India explains is due to the 'new' India.

"The Indian auto market is vibrant. Every year new 'dream' models are launched and major world players arrive. Luxury cars have started hitting good numbers.

"And what's driving this is ambition and aspiration. People now have more money; more choices and they are willing to spend. Ownership of big-ticket items is a reflection of success and conspicuous consumption is celebrated. These numbers will only rise."

In the United States (US), 35% would buy a dream car, 23% chose green and 19% say their dream car is a green car.

Purchase intention: Brakes on or gearing up?
Yes, we are all living in interesting times... many individuals are dealing with financial challenges, Governments are trying to manage copious economic challenges and car companies are facing make-or-break times. But through all this, there are still car buyers out there...

Overall, 15% of respondents across 18 diverse markets say they will buy a new car in the next 12 months. The new car purchase intenders were topped by India at 38%, Egypt at 24% and Turkey at 23%.

US-based Vice President of Motoresearch, Tim Englehart, says this is an indicator of where we are economically around the world.

"This clearly shows that car companies have great opportunities in the emerging markets of the world. It needs to be noted that this survey was conducted across urban people from the large cities so, while the results are not representative of the general population of the country, they are absolutely representative of people the car companies may wish to target.

"Many of these people will be first-time buyers and they may not be intending to buy a large family car. For example, a third of urban respondents in India saying they intend to buy a new vehicle is not surprising but this number would be growing with the introduction of a US$2,000 Tato Nano. This car has the entire industry buzzing."

In the case of Egypt, Tamer El Naggar, Managing Director and auto research specialist for Synovate in Egypt agrees there would be a large proportion of first-time buyers in the 24%.

"The dream of car ownership is being achieved by more and more middle-class Egyptians. There are more opportunities now as smaller and cheaper Chinese cars are making inroads in the market."

Least likely to be buying a new car are Australians and Germans with only 6% saying they will in the next year.

Peter Riley, Account Director of Motoresearch in Australia, says "One explanation for the low purchase intentions for new vehicles in Australia could be that just prior to the global financial crisis Australia posted record new vehicle sales. This is likely to have pushed the replacement cycle out. There is also a polarisation in the market between consumers who want to take advantage of low interest rates and great deals on offer, and those who prefer to remain cautious with their spending."

A further 6% of survey respondents across the 18 markets say they will buy a used car in the next year.

Englehart says the 6% is relatively small but car companies have an emerging opportunity in this market.

"There's a strong chance for a second bite at the cherry when it comes to their branded cars. Our survey showed that over half of all respondents (53%) agree they would be happy to pay more for a used car if it came with a manufacturer certification and warranty."

The highest agrees came from Turkey (79%), Korea (70%) and South Africa (69%).

You can see full result here.

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Disclosure: I thank the Synovate In:Fact Team for granting me the permission to publish the above articles in this website. The above articles were first publish here.

Increasing Marine Litters: Everyone is Responsible

Saving one plastic a day may help stop the growing global problem on marine litters.

The United Nation Environment Program (UNEP)heads "calls for worldwide ban on pointless thin film plastic bags" on June 8, 2009 in celebration of World Ocean Day. This was after a report brought out the growing global problem on marine litters. This is the "first-ever attempt to take stock of the marine litter situation in the 12 major regional seas around the world

"This report is a reminder that carelessness and indifference is proving deadly for our oceans and its inhabitants," says Philippe Cousteau, CEO of EarthEcho International and Ocean Conservancy board member. "Offered here are more than mere facts and figures. The time for action is now, and true change will require taking a bold and courageous stand. There are solutions that everyone, everywhere in the world, can adopt to make a positive difference for our water planet."

"From discarded fishing gear to plastic bags to cigarette butts, a growing tide of marine litters is harming oceans and beaches worldwide," said the report.

Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, said: "Marine litter is symptomatic of a wider malaise: namely the wasteful use and persistent poor management of natural resources. The plastic bags, bottles and other debris piling up in the oceans and seas could be dramatically reduced by improved waste reduction, waste management and recycling initiatives".

"Some of the litter, like thin film single use plastic bags which choke marine life, should be banned or phased-out rapidly everywhere-there is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere. Other waste can be cut by boosting public awareness, and proposing an array of economic incentives and smart market mechanisms that tip the balance in favor of recycling, reducing or re-use rather than dumping into the sea," he said.

Generation of Plastic and Styrofor

The desire for convenience gave birth to the generation of plastic bag and styrofor. Business and corporate areas are the big consumers of plastic bag and styrofor. People are too busy most of them rely to ready-to-eat, microwaveable foods packed in styrofor or plastic, sold in convenience stores.

In Makati,thousands of employees buy foods from jolli jeeps which pack foods in styrofor and plastic bags. I can emagine tons of plastic and styrofor consumed in Makati, alone, everyday. It is sad to think that those plastic and styrofor end as marine litters, contributing to marine pollution, increasing the rubbish thrown out to the seas and endagering "people's safety and health, entrap wildlife, damage nautical equipment and deface coastal areas around the world."

Let us Give Our Share to Save the Oceans

We can do simple, yet powerful things to save our oceans. We can start by just saving one plastic or styrofor a day.

When shopping for groceries I always bring reusable cloth bag. You can buy reusable bags at SM or Rustans Supermarkets. They have this program that when you use the reusable bag for shopping, you can earn points in their loyalty cards. Nakatulong ka pa sa environment.

When I have to buy stuff from drugstores or convenience stores I always ask the cashier/bagger not to put the stuffs I bought in plastic bag. I always carry a bigger bag so that I can just put the things I bought inside. Just don't forget to always ask for your receipt for security.

I always try to pack my lunch so that I can save one plastic bag and one styrofor a day. That way, I am also sure that the food I eat is clean (and delicious). I cannot emagine how the foods packed in plastic and styrofor are prepared.

We are always part of any environmental problem, and accordingly, we should always be part of the solutions. Everyone of us is responsible. Every simple thing that we can do for the planet can make a difference.

GPSEA Energy Revolution Bikeride

I was all set to join the Greenpeace Southeast Asia's (GPSEA) three-day Energy Revolution Bike Ride but changes happened in my work and schedule. I didn't able to join.

The 200-kilometer Energy Revolution bike ride which was started from Morong, Bataan was held on May 23, 24 and 25 concluding with a call to congress to reject Nuclear Energy.

Prior to the event Greenpeace generated more than 5,000 signatures in the petition condemning a nuclear future

As always, it turned out that the activity was a success. Some members of the congress are now, allegedly, not sure of supporting the revival of BNPP. Some have already withdrawn their signature from the list of BNPP supporters.

As thousands of our countrymen have already sent their messages to the congress to reject the proposal for nuclear power, it is our responsibility to watch, wait and take further action if necessary. We should uphold the massive uptake of renewable energy.

The bikers covered Congress gates with banners with the message “No to Nukes” and 1,000 pinwheels symbolizing renewable energy. The petition, which calls upon the representatives to reject the proposal to revive the BNPP, has been signed by five thousand people in last five days.

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Reference and photo credits to: Greenpeace
Southeast Asia

Anti BNPP Veterans Out To Support Nuclear-Free Philippines

Chuck Baclagon- the new Media Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia in the Philippines shared to me this video from Nuklus Band one of the veterans of the anti Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

NukLus band is an alternative and progressive rock band during the 80's.
They composed the song "Dambuhala Sa Morong" in 1980, that became the
battle-cry of the No Nukes Movement at that time, spearheaded by Nuclear-Free Phils
Coalition.

"It seems that the BNPP revival move in Congress is drawing more and more anti-BNPP veterans out into the broad opposition to the BNPP," said Chuck.

"It is our hope here at Greenpeace that the Philippine Congress would head the call to stop the madness of reviving the BNPP."

Today Starts the Largest Environmental Event in Asia

"Sustainable Production, Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Future" This is the theme of the largest environmental event in Asia -
- which starts today until March 22, 2009.

The event which is held at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City is organized by Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), and Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE).

You can learn and see the newest and latest environment-friendly products, services and technologies in more than 120 exhibitors who joined the event.

There will be an hourly raffle where you can win motorcycle, plasma TV, air-conditioner and other major and minor prices.

The show hour schedules are: March 19 - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; March 20 - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; March 21 - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; and March 22 - 10:00 to 5:00 pm.

GPSEA To Join Hundreds Who Will Stand Up Against BNPP on Sunday

The Greenpeace South East Asia will join hundreds who will make a difference this Sunday February 22, 2009 at Sunken Garden, University of the Philippines in Diliman Quezon City.

It could be remembered that the Philippine Congress recently proposed a House Bill to restore the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

"Nuclear power is the most dangerous and most expensive source of electricity. And it is not the solution to climate change."

This coming Sunday GPSEA will say NO TO BNPP by creating human banner as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Bataan.

The visual images of human banner will also serve as a solidarity message to the people of Bataan who will have a mass action on February 23 in Balanga. This action shall likewise serve as a statement of GPSEA's position on the proposal by Rep. Mark Cojuangco when the Committee on Appropriations House of Representatives meets on this legislative measure for the third time on February 24.



Greenpeace's position paper on House Bill 4631 and Senate Bill No. 2665, and other materials available here.

Doing Simple Things for the Planet

“Wastes segregation begins at home.”

Practicing proper waste segregation reduced our household waste to 20% - the rest being recycled.

Metro Manila disposes tons of garbage everyday and time will come that its landfills can no longer accommodate all its wastes.

Our household trash is ordinarily composed of old news papers and scrap papers; cartoons and card boards; plastic bottles and plastic scraps; Styrofoam and the inedible parts of fruits and vegetables that we consume. Instead that those trashes end up to the garbage collectors we managed to segregate and recycle. We piled the scrap papers and card boards in a big cartoon then we allocated a separate sack for our plastic bottles and plastic scraps. Our lifestyle here sometimes demands for the consumption of plastic bottled drinks. Nevertheless, we are trying to be responsible consumer by properly disposing our plastic trash.

I persuaded my siblings to put our biodegradable trash in a used plastic container. Some of it is now completely decomposed and I am planning to use it as an organic fertilizer. We are going to plant our vegetable here in the city. I believe it is possible though we have a limited space in our house. I can utilize our used plastic containers as pots.

Talk of doing simple things for the planet, huh.

Trash to Cash

Last month, my sister Inkgs sold our accumulated non-biodegradable, recyclable household trashes. She just turned our trash into cash.

SM Supermalls have launched their Trash to Cash Recycling Market every first Friday and Saturday of the month. They buy scrap papers and card boards; empty ink and toner cartridges; plastic bottles and plastic scraps; used lead batteries (for cars, UPS/Voltage Regulators); Aluminum; tin cans; busted rechargeable lamps; polystyrene; Styrofoam; junk cell phones and cell phone batteries (not for buying/recycling).

Even big businesses are exerting efforts to save this planet.

Possibly, we can change from being a “throw-away society” to a saving, protecting, and caring society by simply being responsible to our trash.

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Disclosure: This article was one of the entries to 2009 Philippine Blog Awards and is also posted at AsiaIsGreen and has inspired many to do simple things for the planet