Alternative and Renewable Energy

One of the ways that we can show that we care about the environment is by supporting the use of alternative fuel.  Since carbon emission from vehicles using petroleum-based diesel and gasoline accounts as the main cause of pollution, it is but logical that something be done with regards to its use.  

One option is to use petroleum-based fuel efficiently.  From 8-cylinder cars, newer cars are being made with mileage in mind.  The vehicle that comes out more efficient is not wanting in customers.  But fossil fuels are irreplaceable and scientists are saying that there might not have enough supply for the next generation.  

This scenario led to finding alternatives to petroleum based fuels which are of similar quality.  Scientists now turned to plants as a possible source of fuel.  Fortunately for all of us, several plants are suitable sources.  The best argument for plant-based fuel is its renewability.  Coconuts, palm, corn, soya, sunflower, rapeseed, and jatropha have been proven to be perfect substitutes.  Since these are all plants, it follows that they can be replaced or renewed through replanting.

Coconut Tree

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/11/12720044_27838118f2.jpg

Oil Palm Tree

Corn

http://soilcrop.tamu.edu/photogallery/cornsorghum+/images/corn%20ears.jpg

Jatropha

http://aichannel.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/jatropha.jpg
Now we can rest in the thought that the supply problem has been solved.  Aside from this leverage that plant-based fuels have over  fossil fuels, the former have been found to approximate the latter if not surpass them.  Combustibility is another aspect that plant-based fuels is superior over the petroleum-based fuels.  Better combustibility leads to minimal or no emission that makes the vehicles more efficient hence more value for money.  Less fuel will be needed as the machines become more efficient.

It is unfortunate that majority of the Filipinos haven't embraced this alternative technology.  Though there is a law that supports the use of alternative and renewable energy, compliance by the majority is an elusive dream.  Supply problems make for higher pump prices.  It is my fervent wish that the government lead the initiative in easing these supply problems for the law to be widely implemented.  Perhaps we should first replace those aging coconut trees with new productive varieties. 

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Is The Air Really Cleaner in the Rural Areas?

During the incumbency of President Arroyo, "holiday economics" was a byword.  The Arroyo administration believed that shifting the observance of holidays to the nearest Friday or Monday would reduce disruption to business and production schedules and at the same time promote domestic tourism. Everyone was encouraged to flock to the tourist attraction of choice to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and be able to breathe fresh air, eat fresh food.  Once in the province, one doesn't need a car to go from one place to the other as there is the ubiquitous tricycle.  The tricycle is everywhere specially on smaller roads where jeepneys and buses are not allowed to operate.  But if we are to believe DENR Sec. Paje's report that one of the main pollutants of the environment is the tricycle, is the air really cleaner in the provinces?

The tricycle is the main mode of transport in the rural areas and parts in the urban areas where streets are narrow for jeepneys and buses.  84% of the country's population depends on the tricycles to bring them to school, work, and wherever.  There are roughly 2 million tricycles of which 70% have two-stroke engines.   The Clean Air Act of 1999 calls for the phasing out of two-stroke engines as they are prone to pollute the air more as they emit more particulate matter than four-stroke engines.  Two-stroke engines have lower fuel efficiency.  It is estimated that 15-40% of the fuel-air mixture escape from the engine through the exhaust port.  These "scavenging losses" contain high level of unburned gasoline and lubricant and increase the emissions of hydrocarbons, particulate matters and visible smoke. The government though cannot just ban the use of the existing two-stroke tricycles as banning will put a lot of tricycle drivers without livelihood.

Not all is lost for two stroke tricycles.  Low-smoke, environment-friendly lubricants are already available.  Lubricants are mixed with the gasoline at the ratio of 200 ml lubricant for every 4 liters of gasoline.  These lubricants, made from vegetable-derived esters (VDE), lubricate well, mix well with the gasoline that prevents unburned gasoline and lubricant, and make the engines perform more efficiently.  With the above stated advantages of vegetable-based lubricants, tricycle drivers can expect their motorcycles to perform better, have fuel savings, have cleaner engines and at the same time help in protecting and nurturing the environment.  There is no need to phase out two-stroke motorcycles if these biodegradable and environment-friendly lubricants are used.   And we could also start breathing fresh air again.



http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070725-78742/Holiday_economics_now_a_law


http://www.thepoc.net/breaking-news/breaking-stories/9751-denr-air-pollution-in-metro-worse.html


http://www.philsol.nl/news/03/CleanAir01-jan03.htm

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What Kind of Air Do We Breathe?

Image via Wikipedia

Two months ago, I had colds.  What struck me as odd was I was the first one to have it in the house.  Usually I was the last one to get it, that is after all the people in the house has been infected by it.  Days passed and I was already coughing.  I started taking medicines for both colds and cough so as not to be sidelined for so long.  The colds medicine worked but the ones for my cough did not.  I also observed a wheezing sound coming from my breath.  I immediately suspected asthma and my doctor confirmed it.  It was a bitter pill to swallow that I have asthma at this age, not when I was in my elementary days, but now.  Aside from my medication for hypertension, I am now taking one, rather inhaling one, for asthma.  I feel insecure if I don't have my inhaler in my bag when I leave the house.

What is asthma?  Asthma is the disease that affects the airways of the lungs and is caused by the on-going inflammation of these airways.

Asthma affects all ages, although it is more common in younger people. The frequency and severity of asthma attacks tend to decrease as a person ages.  Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children.  It cannot be cured but luckily, it can be controlled if diagnosed and treated early.  If you have parents who have asthma, chances are you will get it too.  Exposure to airborne allergens like dust mites, dander of animals and irritants like tobacco smoke contributes to making your airways sensitive when you breathe.

I asked myself why there are more cases of asthma nowadays.  Aside from the reasons above,  people tend to stay more indoor thus exposing them to indoor allergens like dust mites and molds.  People nowadays are also shielded from infection compared to the older generation thus the immune systems tend to be sensitive.  Lastly,  the air we breathe now is more polluted than before.  According to Secretary Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the air pollution measured by total suspended particles (TSP) in the air, in Metro Manila has worsen since last year. TSP is the total solid and liquid suspended particles in air. The major sources are diesel vehicles and coal-powered power plants.  Last year, TSP was 134 micrograms (ug)/Normal cubic meters (Ncm) which was already 48% beyond the normal standard of 90 micrograms (ug)/Normal cubic meters (Ncm).  Early this year, TSP was at 163.  Now I understand why I belatedly got asthma.  The air that we breathe is getting worse.

According to a World Bank study in 2007, pollution is already the major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in the Philippines.  More than 50% of the medicines bought or sold in the country is for the cure of respiratory diseases.

Sec. Paje said that the main pollutants are the jeepneys, buses and tricycles or the transport sector which accounts to 80% of the pollution load.  The remaining 20% is by industries.  The DENR, bent on cutting down the TSP by 30% in 2011, said that it will be stricter in the conduct of emission testing by the Land Transportation Office.  Installation of CCTV cameras in the emission testing centers to ensure that all vehicles undergo the testing is one measure that will be undertaken.  Aside from being vigilant, the government can also encourage more motorists to fill their fuel pumps with biodiesel or ethanol and maintain same vehicles with green lubricants from vegetable-derived esters.

Though as ordinary citizens we are not in a position to rein in the irresponsible practices of the transport and power industries, we can do our share.  We can start with the vehicles in our garages by adhering to regular maintenance program and being sensitive to ways that contribute to pollution.

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http://www.emedicinehealth.com/asthma/article_em.htm
http://www.thepoc.net/breaking-news/breaking-stories/9751-denr-air-pollution-in-metro-worse.html
http://www.denr.gov.ph/article/articleview/5827/1/39/

How big is your carbon footprint?

Image via Wikipedia

Do you know that one doesn't have to be a rabid green advocate to be able to contribute something to the preservation of Mother Earth? One just have to know the concept of what carbon footprint is.  It shows one's impact on the planet. Carbon footprint is what scientists call for the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities, whether directly or indirectly, and is expressed in tons of CO2 (carbon dioxide).  Greenhouses gases trap energy from the sun and prevent the trapped energy from escaping back to space.  As a result, surface temperatures rise and gave birth to the climate change/global warming phenomenon.  Carbon footprints are of two types – primary and secondary. When one drives his car or uses his appliances, carbon dioxide or other green house gases released directly affect the environment thus the primary carbon foot print. On the other hand, whenever one buys food and stuff, manufacturing and transporting these goods entail the use of electricity as well as vehicles that emit carbon dioxide.  This process 

releases greenhouse gases which are measured as secondary carbon foot print. Though 

you may not be directly releasing these gases, the indirect use of these products adds to the carbon foot print.

It is interesting to note that the average Filipino has a smaller carbon footprint compared to his First World counterpart.  This doesn't mean though that he is more environment-conscious than the Westerner rather his lifestyle is less energy dependent.  The most common appliances that can be found in a typical Filipino household are radio and TV.  These do not emit a significant amount of carbon emission.  Refrigerators on the other hand eat up a lot of energy as these have to be plugged in 24/7.  Air-conditioners, water heaters, flat irons and microwave ovens suck up tremendous amount of energy but these amenities are not yet staples in Filipino homes.

The challenge to all of us nowadays is to shrink the size of our carbon footprint.  How big is big?  Here is a link to a Carbon Footprint Calculator: http://www.earthlab.com/ecp.aspx.  Sheer awareness of how big one's carbon footprint is the first step to effect a positive change.  It also pays to use resources (electricity, natural resources and water) wisely, support cleaner technologies, practice public transport and carpooling, and switching to renewable alternatives when available.  To cite an example,  there are already available renewable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels (biodiesel, ethanol) and lubricants (ester-based  lubricants).   Going green is not a fad, it is a commitment.  A commitment of love.  As the saying goes,  "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/72761.aspx

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/special-report/10/03/08/pinoy-carbon-footprint
http://www.wwf.org.ph/newsfacts.php?pg=det&id=58