A series of educational meet-ups have begun to further cultivate environment knowledge among the public.
Two sessions covering depletions of important fish sources in the Philippines and the Earth’s limits in regards to human influence on the environment are the first of a series of such meet-ups organized by the Haribon Foundation.
Coined “Haribon Meets U” or HMU, the sessions give members a glimpse into the on-going work of environment conservation both at the local and global scale.
On January 25, the latest installment of HMU took place in Cubao, Quezon City. Titled “Planetary Boundaries” the session covered the different limits, such as the amount of biodiversity loss or the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, that is allowable before humanity would be adversely affected.
Presented by Haribon Training Specialist Raiza Elumba, attendees were treated to eye-opening scenarios and scientific data validated by researchers around the world.
“It is important to understand ecological concepts and apply them to policies regarding natural resources,” emphasized Elumba.
Using the water we drink as an example, an astonishing 4,000 cubic kilometers of water per year is the proposed boundary in which humanity is allowed to consume. Before the industrial revolution, this number was at 415 cubic kilometers. Today, the number is at 2,600.
“Locally, watershed management is one aspect of policy that can help Filipinos manage water consumption better. At the global level, the UN advocates for water security including access to water and sanitation,” added Elumba.
In another HMU, members listened to marine researchers discussing the depletion of local fish species such as lapu-lapu and mameng in different locations in the archipelago. Such findings backed with the latest scientific data are not easily obtained via traditional sources such as libraries or even the internet. HMU provides the public an opportunity to gain access to such information.
HMU sessions so far have taken place in casual settings, such as local restaurants. Presentations like Elumba’s are conducted in a roundtable format, allowing for casual discussion to take place.
After becoming a Haribon member, individuals receive free access to the HMU educational sessions. Most of which take place in locations chosen by the members themselves. The next HMU is scheduled for February 2nd and will cover the topic of Philippine Eagles.
An integral part of Haribon since its formation in 1972, Haribon membership transforms regular citizens into biodiversity champions. They protect, conserve, and save biodiversity while forming lasting friendships with other environmental advocates. Be a Haribon member today by registering via this link bit.ly/joinHF, email: membership@haribon.org.ph, or calling +63 (2) 421-1209.
View more photos of this HMU on our Flickr page!
The Haribon Foundation 