Unless you’
ve been living in a cave for the past year, you’
ve no doubt heard about the increasing popularity of the "Eco-Chic" movement. Everywhere you go, people are trying to show how "green" they are. While I’d agree that this is a good thing (at the very least it gets us all thinking about things like preserving our environment) I would also argue however that there are a lot of things being done in the name of saving the planet that may not be everything they're cracked up to be. In other words, we can't always be complacent when we think we've arrived at an answer. Every now and then we need to ask ourselves... is this solution the best one or can we do better?
How does
Abaga Falls fit into this conversation you ask? Let me explain… For a while now I’
ve been touting the many benefits that come from taking a closer look at vital ecosystems and ensuring that we are doing what we can to preserve or even restore these systems. Why? Not just
because it's a nice thing to do, but
because there can often be some tangible benefits to humans when doing so. If you recall from the previous post in this series (
Talking the Walk- Part 1) I address a number of specific benefits that can come from "thinking" out side of the box" and questioning the norm. Let’s face it, whenever people are impoverished, the health of the environment always takes a back seat. Understandably so. So the question remains how do we raise people up and instill a sense of stewardship for their land? There are many answers to that question, but certainly pride can be a major factor. If people are proud of their surroundings, there’s a very good chance that they will take great strides to care for them.
Now back to the original conversation. When we look around at all of the efforts being undertaken to try and strike an equitable balance between the health of the planet and the well-being of man, the discussion always seems to boil down to the concept of energy. Whether it’s traveling to work or farming the food we eat, or producing the various goods we consume, energy is a basic building block to our existence. What’s more important in my opinion however, is how we produce these basic building blocks.
Renewable energy source? With all of the Eco-talk being thrown about lately, I’m sure you’ve heard that term at least once before. A renewable energy source is exactly what it says, a feasible source of energy that for all practical purposes, never goes away. This is why things like oil and gas are not considered renewable energy sources, while things like nuclear and hydro-electrical are. Can you see where I’m going with this? As someone with a renewed passion for saving my boyhood playground, let me just offer the following… we may be sitting on a significant source of renewable (hydro-electric) energy without even knowing it. Sure Abaga Falls and its surroundings may appear to be the iconic tropical paradise captured in postcards and travel brochures, but I’d be willing to argue that it is so much more…
But isn’t the development of hydro-electric power in this area an old idea you ask? The short answer of course is yes. The nearby city of Iligan receives most of the electric it uses from a number of hydroelectric plants that have been strategically placed along the Agus River and operating there for many years. But, is there a possibly a better way to produce even more energy with less effort in this area? And if so, is there any benefit to pursing such a strategy? That’s really the true meaning of conservation isn’t it? Trying to do more with less. In the grand scheme of things, attitudes like this can not only benefit the planet, but the people as well.
Stay tuned. In my next installment of this series, I will delve into the nitty-gritty of this very concept...
Over the next few weeks I will be submitting several reader surveys (see the upper right-hand corner of the blog site) in order to get a better understanding of just how the overall consensus of our readers feel about certain topics related to Abaga Falls and the surrounding area. Please feel free to take a moment and cast your vote.
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past year, you’ve no doubt heard about the increasing popularity of the "Eco-Chic" movement. Everywhere you go, people are trying to show how "green" they are. While I’d agree that this is a good thing (at the very least it gets us all thinking about things like preserving our environment) I would also argue however that there are a lot of things being done in the name of saving the planet that may not be everything they're cracked up to be. In other words, we can't always be complacent when we think we've arrived at an answer. Every now and then we need to ask ourselves... is this solution the best one or can we do better?
A safe, healthy and prosperous New Year to all of our friends and family.
