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It has been said that the very technology that has
enabled man to manipulate and control nature has also polluted our
environment and rapidly depleted our natural resources. For the most
part, business treated air and water as free goods and looked at the
environment as a source of unlimited resource. Incessant focus on
the bottom line led to paltry efforts in pollution control and
environmental sustainability since activities for these were
generally viewed as additional effort and expense for the
organization. It does not help that the world’s economies continue
to pursue a goal of economic growth with its continuing demand for
depletable resources.
Not much effort is being been
done to transform the economy for the continuity and viability of
civilization. It is the obligation of the current generation to
protect the interest of future generations.
In an effort to contribute its
share toward a sustainable future for the country, De La Salle
Philippines has embarked on a “Million trees and beyond”
project. The project has for its rationale the following: “The
Philippines is faced with much ecological crisis especially with the
destruction of its many natural ecosystems. Focusing on the
terrestrial ecosystems, the country has lost most of its old-growth
forests with only less than a quarter remaining. Much of the
deforestation of our country’s forest reserves happened in the
last 50 years of our history. Within the last two decades, Filipinos
have experienced the negative effects of deforestation. It has taken
thousands of lives and has left many orphaned and homeless.”
The Philippine La Sallian Family
has deemed it timely and relevant to pursue the cause of the
environment. With the “Million trees and beyond” project, the
school aims to meet the following objectives: (1) provide a venue
for more proactive responses to environmental issues via tree
planting activities and reforestation programs that promotes the
propagation and caring for indigenous species; (2) draw out
mechanisms that will systematically involve the Lasallian Family in
sustainable reforestation and greening efforts in close partnership
and coordination with local communities; and (3) conscienticize the
Lasallian Family and people belonging to the various partner
communities on the importance of natural ecosystems such as forests
through tree-planting and reforestation activities that promote a
more practical “learning-by-doing” approach in environmental
education.
A lot of planning and
preparation, networking, resource allocation and follow through
activities need to be done to make the project continuing and
sustaining as well as create a good impact on the environment. The
school realized the need for close tie-ups and partnership with
local communities and governments to make the project relevant to
the overall greening effort as well as provide an avenue for active
involvement among the greater number of population.
Aside from the direct impact on
reforestation, the pro-ject aims to inculcate caring and nurturing
attitudes among the student body with the hope that they will carry
and continue this advocacy even when they have left the school
portals already. More than the trees planted, it is this attitude of
caring and nurturing that will contribute to the project’s
sustainability into the future.
It is a challenge for all of us
to be stewards of nature, not masters who will dominate nature. Only
with such an attitude will we be able to effect meaningful
activities to preserve the environment and ourselves.
Dennis teaches at the De La Salle
Professional Schools Ramon V. Del Rosario Sr. Graduate School of
Business. He welcomes comments at dennis.berino@dlsps.edu.ph.
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