WWF National Ambassadors Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Iza Calzado Lead 1st WWF Fundraising Hour

ACTION & EVENT-URE NEWS FEED: 

WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Iza Calzado shared their passion for the environment with mallgoers and encouraged them to support WWF’s Individual Donor Programme (IDP) during the recent Ambassador's Fundraising Hour held in Greenbelt 1, Makati.

WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson, Iza Calzado and Rovilson Fernandez with Chi-Chi, the WWF Panda. (WWF)

Everyone can now directly contribute to the sustainability initiatives of WWF-Philippines by visiting    WWF booths in selected malls all over the country or by going to the WWF-Philippines website at wwf.org.ph/donate. Potential donors can choose to make a one-time donation or monthly donations, which can help sustain various WWF-Philippines biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation programs all over the country.

The West Philippines Sea is also an environmental concern

The dredging of coral reefs to build artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea has alarmed conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In April 2013, poaching vessel F/V Min Long Yu destroyed 3902 square meters of seabed in the Tubbataha Reefs. Ongoing reclamation in a half-dozen reefs has now obliterated 1.2 million square meters – 310 times the damage wrought on Tubbataha.

Mechanical dredgers which cut, crush and compact corals have also stirred up sediments to smother adjoining reefs. This threatens the biological productivity of the West Philippine Sea – a spawning and feeding site for endangered sea turtles and high-value fish like tuna.

WWF urges DOE to seize the wind this year

World leaders gathered in Lima last month for the 20th Conference of Parties (COP 20), designed to set the stage for strong climate change agreements in Paris this 2015.

WWF’s latest initiative encourages the Department of Energy to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s power mix. Its first phase highlights windfall opportunities from wind farms. Shown are the famed Bangui windmills in Ilocos Norte, which simultaneously powers 40% of the province while drawing in thousands of tourists yearly. (Gregg Yan / WWF)

The 2015 United Nations Climate Conference is slated from 30 November to 11 December this year. Among the expected outcomes are Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), which are country-wide climate change mitigation and adaptation commitments.

Pinoy fishers are back to the seas with stronger fiberglass bancas

“My father has always been a Pescador, our term for fishermen,” says Cocoy Garcia, a 38-year old fisher, as we strolled around his stilt village in Culion, Northern Palawan. “I was nine when he first took me out. We caught baskets of squid that first night, lured in by the glow of our petromax lamp.”

Two Bancas for the Philippines project beneficiaries haul up a netful of fish aboard a newly-made fiberglass boat in Busuanga, Northern Palawan. Through strong public and private sector support, the project has enabled fisherfolk to build 800 fibreglass boats across Palawan and the Visayas. 
Artisanal or small-scale fisheries employ 90% of the world’s capture fishers, providing 50% of global yields and 60% of wild-caught seafood. The Philippines has 1.3 million artisanal fishers, comprising 5% of its labour force. (Gregg Yan / WWF)

Together, Cocoy and his father fished for decades. The old Pescador taught his son the age-old skills of the sea – how to read the tide, mend nets, overhaul engines, repair boats, where to find the biggest fish.

16 Philippine Cities Underwent Climate Change Adaptation Assessment

TADI NEWS FEED:

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation have completed Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts – a four-year, 16-city study to prepare the largest Philippine cities for escalating climate change effects.

Initiated in 2011, the study’s first phase covered the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo. Its second assessed Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Laoag and Zamboanga. The cities of Angeles, Batangas, Naga and Tacloban were evaluated in 2013. For 2014, Butuan, General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Santiago were covered.

The urgent need to protect the Coral Triangle's marine ecosystem

TADI News Feed:

Sydney, Australia – Coral Triangle countries are helping to avoid a natural and humanitarian toll in the Indo Pacific by conserving ocean habitats that are critical for the food security and livelihoods of more than a hundred million people, delegates at the World Parks Congress heard recently.

Tubbataha is at the heart of Coral Triangle.
Photo source: WWF Philippines

The Coral Triangle is a 6 million-km2 marine area that directly sustains and protects more than 120 million people in coastal communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.

WWF reports highest recorded growth of Tamaraw population

TADI NEWS FEED:

The tamaraw, the Philippines’ largest and rarest endemic land animal, is on a comeback. In 1969, the global population was thought to have dropped to less than 100 heads, threatening the species with extinction.

Today, due to strong conservation efforts, the tamaraw population stands at 382 – the highest ever recorded.

WWF calls to pursue renewable energy to solve power crisis

TADI NEWS FEED

With the Department of Energy’s warning that an impending power shortage will befall the Luzon grid next year, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reiterates its call for the Philippine government to pursue more actively mainstream renewable energy (RE) solutions to meet the growing demand for electricity. Especially if we aim for enhanced national competitiveness through increased control over the supply and cost of power, RE must be integrated as the primary solution to the power development plan of the Philippines.

The Giants of Ilocos Norte – The Philippines has immense RE potential. Shown are the famed windmills of Bangui in Ilocos Norte, which provides clean and unlimited power for 40% of the province. Renewable energy sources are perfect for developing nations. (Gregg Yan / WWF)

Based on the current power situation, there is already an adequate supply of grid-connected base-load power plants. The predicted shortfall that the DOE has stated will mostly affect intermediate and peak loads. Thus, intermediate or peak power plants are required to address coming needs.

WWF shares The Tuna Tale

“Tuna!” was all I needed to hear to wake up.

We’ve been wet and cold for 12 hours, looking for Yellowfin tuna. Around us, three other vessels are using their powerful strobe lights to turn night into day. Everyone furiously pumps circular hand-reels, hoping for a bite. The reels are occasionally exchanged for long-handled nets, used to pluck out fast-moving squid lured by the light. It’s a colourful carnival in the middle of the sea.

Splash! The first tuna is landed. It’s a handsome 36-kilogramme Yellowfin, dazed after being pulled up from the depths. Soon, we reel in another. Employing proper techniques, both fish are hauled aboard and gently placed in an ice-box to preserve meat quality. We head back before the sun rises. The night’s fishing is done.

New Tubbataha Ranger Station to rise soon!

TADI NEWS FEED:

Since 1996, WWF has been working to protect the Tubbataha Reefs. Its latest initiative with the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) is the construction of a new Ranger Station, with a built-in research facility for up to eight scientists to conduct onsite marine studies for months at a time.

The new Ranger Station features a hexagonal dome with a 360-degree view of the park. Research and enforcement capabilities shall be greatly enhanced. Barring unforeseen delays, the soft launch is slated for the summer of 2015. (Dylan Melgazo / WWF)

The station shall utilize green technology such as solar panels, micro-wind turbines, rainwater collectors and vegetable gardens to maximize self-sufficiency and capacity.

WWF Research Vessel Transforms Into A Sea Classroom

In 2012, I was fortunate enough to have boarded M/Y Navorca, WWF's Research Vessel in Tubbataha and Apo Reefs.  I was there for an expedition with Kara David of GMA and Atom Araullo of ABS-CBN to document Tubbataha and learn about Cebu Pacific's Bright Skies program with WWF.

It was a great learning experience to know how the value and we can really take care of the environment, especially our marine wonders.  So when I heard about M/Y Navorca being transformed into a sea classroom, I can't help but be happy about it because now, educators can learn first hand the value and process of environment conservation.  

SPIDER-MAN helps save the planet via EARTH HOUR!

TADI NEWS FEED:

WWF's Earth Hour 2014 broke all records of participation in its eighth year, as Spider-Man joined millions of everyday Super Heroes from across the planet in the world's largest celebration for the Earth.

 The event which has evolved into history’s largest environmental movement began its journey across more than 162 countries and territories from New Zealand, sweeping across Asia with Spider-Man and the cast from the upcoming film The Amazing Spider-Man 2, including Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx, sending a message to the world that anyone can be a Super Hero for the Planet.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 to support and join the Earth Hour

POTATO ON THE GO NEWS FEED (Movie):

This is definitely a welcome news for me as both Earth Hour and the Spider-Man franchise are close to my heart! :)

WWF Singapore and Earth Hour Global today announced the director, producers, and cast of the highly anticipated upcoming motion picture The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be coming to Singapore to celebrate this year’s global flagship event for Earth Hour, the world’s largest environmental grassroots movement, to be held at The Float@Marina Bay on Saturday March 29 at 8:30PM.

Tamaraw Conservation Efforts Highlighted in the 1st World Wildlife Day Celebration

TADI NEWS FEED:

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity for the international community to celebrate the globe's wild plant and animal life while redoubling efforts to protect them. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) welcomes recent achievements to safeguard wildlife, laments the losses and looks toward a future in which people can truly live in harmony with nature.

The ‘Tams-2’ Project aims to double wild Tamaraw numbers from 300 to 600 by 2020. Owing to aggressive public and private sector efforts, Tamaraw numbers have jumped from 153 in 2002 to 345 by April 2013. Shown is a Tamaraw bull in Occidental Mindoro, the Philippines. (Gregg Yan / WWF) 

The United Nations General Assembly set aside March 3 to raise awareness of the intrinsic value of wildlife and its contributions to sustainable development and human well-being. The day, which marks the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973, is also being used to underscore the need to fight wildlife crime.

Switch-off and then Kick-off the change! -- Join this year's Earth Hour!

FEATURISTIC:

Earth Hour in the Philippines is now on its 6th year.  And today, is the date set for this year's celebration of Earth Hour!

El Gamma Penumbra at Earth Hour last year

 

Earth Hour 2012

Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in 2007. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on 31 March, 2.2 million people switched off their lights to celebrate Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia. The power saved during the 60-minute switch-off was equivalent to removing 48,613 cars off Sydney roads for an hour. In 2008, Earth Hour became a global movement, and the Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country to pledge full support. From 2009 to 2011, the Philippines, with the most number of cities and municipalities participating in the cause-oriented activity, has been a four-time Earth Hour champion.

Help protect the environment through the WWF - UnionBank Affinity Card

 TADI ALERT:

Grab the opportunity to save the environment whenever you spend! The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) and UnionBank of the Philippines has released the WWF - UnionBank Affinity Cards to enable consumers and cardholders to develop a closer link with the environmental conservation organization’s cause.

The WWF-UnionBank affinity cards come feature four iconic species that embody the magnificence of our biodiversity: Panda, Dolphin, Green Sea Turtle and Whale Shark.

WWF's Panda Shop Now Open for A Merry Green Christmas!

TADI ALERT:

It's second of the "ber" months and I bet you've also noticed that we started hearing Christmas carols already and seeing Christmas decors everywhere!  And when early morning gives us a reason to stay in bed for minutes more or even an hour, it’s a sign that the cool breeze is near and the Christmas season will soon hit the city! And that gives us the signal to start preparing your holiday gift lists!

For the upcoming Christmas season, the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) invites you to have the environment in mind and spread the love for the planet by sporting and patronizing items from The Panda Shop, the conservation organization’s merchandising line.

Tweet Your Way to the WWF Reverse Run

ACTION & EVENT-URE NEWSFEED:

Can you help create awareness in helping the environment in 160 characters? Share with us your tips on how will you Reverse the Bad and get a chance to win free race kits in the upcoming Reverse Run on September 9, 2012 at McKinley Hill plus get a chance to meet and greet WWF Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez!

Here’s how:

WWF Philippines Announces Postponement of Reverse Run Due to Bad Weather

A&E BULLETIN:

WWF Philippines has announced that in the interest of everyone's safety, the WWF Reverse Run on July 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia is postponed due to bad weather.

The venue and most race routes are flooded as well.  Possible resumption of the event is in October 2012.  WWF will make announcements for updates about the run.

WWF would like to thank everyone for their support and understanding.

WWF Announces Reverse Run 50 for 50 Promo!

ACTION & EVENT-URE BULLETIN:

With just 5 days before WWF's Reverse Run and to herald 5 decades of successful conservation, WWF is giving away 50 race kits at a 50% discount!

Email wwfreverserun2012@gmail.com on or before July 20, Friday and avail of this special offer!