I was not into science. It was not my strength at all. In fact even in my younger years I did not find any interest about science because I find it hard and difficult just like maths. I was very poor in these two major subjects.
Even the little I know about climate change which I think also related to science.
I can still remember while being asked by my science teacher what is science to me. I answered that science is a study of living and non-living things. I don’t know if I answered it right but the answer was well-considered.
And if I were to ask about climate change, with even the least idea I knew about it well, I can say that it is the most seroius problem the world is dealing with today as the temperature is getting extremely high and hot and this largely affect the lives of the people all over the world. The industrialisation and the activities of the people are the major contributors to the environmental problem of the world.
The most common activity visible before my own eyes are illegal quarries and the poor trees cut down into pieces as roots are taken out of the sideways of the road. These trees are being sacrificed for road widening, infrastructures and building projects.
Development is essential to the lives of the people as it makes life easier and accessible. But sometimes questions are banging my head if there are other ways for developments without big trees being sacrificed? Seeing these lifeless trees just hurt me in silence. I am bleeding inside. I feel that these helpless living creatures have been deprived of their right to live and co-exist with human beings. These trees have been of great help and play a significant role to sustain the life of our mother earth and all of the other living creatures.
They give us shades for a fresher and greener environment. They absorb chemicals produced by fumes and gases. They provide free oxygen. They help combat climate change. They also help prevent air and water pollution and prevent soil erosion.
Trees provide food and shield from the harm of ultra-violet rays. They also serve as home to many birds of the skies and habitat to land and water animals. Trees have the cooling and healing effects to all living creatures.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
What pity me is that, I understand that it takes a decade to wait for a full-grown tree. It is not easy to grow a tree as it also needs proper handling with love and care, receiving enough rain and sunlight and good soil for them to survive, based on my planting experience.
Scientists and environmental experts work hard to combat the alarming effect of global warming and to prevent and spare the world from the wrath of nature catastrophes caused by abuse and destruction.
Climate change is harmful to health, bringing a lot of complications.
There are wildfires happening in some parts of the world and the abnormalities in the movements of volcanos that cause earthquakes and eruptions, drought, and melting polar ice and many other unusual activities of nature that we observed and experienced are signs to be alarmed.
We have been blessed by God in abundance by its beauty, food, shelter, peace and serenity this natural world brings and offers us. May we in turn learn to love and treasure this priceless gift as responsible stewards creating a livable climate and environment also creating beautiful memories in this wonderful world.
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
