There are many ways to efficiently utilize our resources and properly manage our waste, but only a few know how.
This urged the Aboitiz Group and four sustainability experts to share their knowledge on resource efficiency and waste management during Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.’s Earth Hour activity dubbed “An Hour of R2R (Race 2 Reduce).”
Here are some of the creative ways we can do to help our environment, according to experts:
Have empathy
Environmentalist and Planet CORA founder Antoinette Taus insists that we must have empathy towards creation and the efforts that we put in everything we do. She said, “Everything we do, everything we use, everything we throw away is precious. It took a lot to make them, it took a lot precious resources that we are running out of.”
Convey the message clearly
University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication dean Elena Pernia claimed that communication of science initiatives formed a critical part of sustainability efforts—and medium is just as important as the message. “It is not just about the crafting of messages, but also ensuring understanding,” said Pernia.
Make it relatable
Laura David, associate dean for research of UP Marine Science Institute, shared that the institute developed a board game on disaster resilience and response that has a sense of familiarity and appeals to its target audience. The “anti-Monopoly” Resilience: Survive and Thrive traditional tabletop card game teaches players lessons on balanced development and sustainability.
Set a good example
The Aboitiz Group and its business units have long been strong supporters of the environment in its businesses and facilities. But understanding that “support” only goes so far towards effecting a real change, the company makes sure it walks the talk, too.
According to UnionBank sustainability officer Abby Bonita, the bank’s corporate headquarters in Ortigas Center is now fully powered by Cleanergy, AboitizPower’s brand of clean and renewable energy. In addition, it is now LEED-certified by the United States Green Building Council, making it a healthy, highly-efficient, and cost-saving “green” building.
Furthermore, the Aboitiz group, through the Aboitiz Foundation, spearheads the implementation of programs that promote environmental conservation and biodiversity enhancement. Through the active participation of Aboitiz team members across the Group, the organization ensures that it is doing its part in caring for the planet while building a sustainable enterprise that can be entrusted to future generations.
Among these initiatives include the R2R program; the A-Park Program, which aims to grow nine million trees nationwide by 2020; and the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an eight-hectare outdoor biodiversity park in Davao City that is home to the critically-endangered hawksbill sea turtle (pawikan) and 66 other species.