I need my stunnas, the future looks bright

I decided to start the application process for Teach For America.  This past month I’ve been thinking and rethinking my next year.  I will be graduating from college, and want to move in a productive direction, of course, that’s left me scared out of my wits — “what am I going to do?!”

After doing more course work and traveling, I’ve realized that I want to play a role in development; be it planning, education, or organizing.  Planning in the sense that I want to be the voice that makes sure that local environmental and social impacts are top priority and will remain so for generations and generations to come — making sure that local ecosystems are left unaffected, and that the local people are receiving the full benefits of development without negative externalities.  All of this done in a manner that sustains itself for the long-term and at lowest monetary and social costs.  I also want to play a part in education.  Sharing and facilitating the things that I’ve learned to empower others is one of the greatest rewards I could get from higher education.  And lastly, being that cohesive piece of building partnerships, gathering resources, and gaining trust is such an important role in what I’m going to school for (environmental sustainability and social justice).

Of course each of these things would be at its optimum if it also allows me to pursue my passion of traveling.  I have such a great interest of seeing the rest of the world.  I’ve spent most of my life on the sunny California coast, and a significant amount on the east coast, but there are so many more places I would love to experience; from Centro America, to South America, South East Asia, the Middle East, India, Africa, and on and on.  I must also not forget that seeing the rest of the U.S., i.e. Hawaii and Alaska, and the South would be awesome as well.  By going to these places, I would learn so much from how things are done in different parts of the world, then take those experiences and add them to my mental toolbox so that I could use them with the other “parts” that I have gathered.

Anyway, I started this blog talking about Teach for America.  There is still much I need to learn about the organization, but I love what they stand for:  providing quality education to underprivileged schools around America.  What an awesome opportunity to spread my wings and put this mind to work.

Ecological Paper

Starting work on a project that will require paper.  The most important features of the paper will be durability and price, but also as ecologically friendly as possible.  Tree-free and non-chlorined bleached paper is preferred.  I’ve noticed that some paper-products are made from hemp and cotton, although I feel that using recycled materials uses less water in manufacturing than raw hemp or cotton.

There are some codes we need to know about in paper-labeling, they are:

PCF (Process Chlorine-Free) — fiber is recycled and unbleached, or bleached without the use of additional chlorine or chlorine additives

TCF (Totally Chlorine-Free) — indicates virgin fiber (including virgin tree-fiber) that is unbleached, or bleached without the use of additional chlorine or chlorine additives

* In both PCF and TCF, bleaching is done with benign elements.  It is important to note that the recycled material in PCF may have been bleached with chlorine or chlorine derivatives.

ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) — virgin or recycled fiber bleached with chlorine dioxide or other chlorine compounds.  Cleaner than gas bleaching, however still creates environmentall hazardous toxins.

PCW (Post-consumer Waste) — material collected from end-users and recycled.  Diverts solid waste from landfills.**

**Fibers can only be recycled about 7 times before needing to add virgin fibers, so look for high PCW proportions.

For the project, I think PCF or TCF will be fine, and of course, a high PCW level.

Source: Ecological Guide to Paper

Livin la vida pilipino

Hangin around the islands has been a blast, but my dome can’t get past a few ‘improvements’ that could better the quality of life in this seemingly developing world. A few ideas that have come to mind include waste management, street cleaning, and mandatory smog inspections on automobiles.

Island life is rad — total chill laid-backedness. When you need transport, you flag a bus down and it’ll stop for you unless it’s just too full, fruit and snacks are sold on every corner, there are no 7-11’s, the sea is unbelievably clear, sea creatures lurk, the animals run free, the people are friendly as ever, there’s nothing lacking here but a few minor details. Unfortunately, some western models of improvement would put lanes on the roads, cut-out tricycles all together, and install air conditioners in every building (ahem ‘hk’). But those things are not necessary; rather, they take away from what living on an island is all about.

Perhaps my ideas would need a major push as well, but as far as I can tell, they are feasible. Street cleaning can be done with grey water (or perhaps sea water?). Waste management would need some infrastructure such as bins, garbage collection vehicles, and a landfill, but such models already existing in the west could work here as well. And the smog inspection is a major must. Frankly, the streets out here are too narrow for the capacity of putt-putting motos making and idling their ways down the streets. A mandatory filtration system can minimize the exhaust of these vehicles.

Well, I’m heading to Cebu tonight on an overnight boat. Apparently, I get a cot cuz the ride’s a little ove 5 hours. Sorta not looking forward to it, but ready for some rest nonetheless. Once in Cebu, making a b-line to the airport where we’re flying out to Palawan Island. Once there, going to check out an underground aquatic system and other things that dub Palawan the 7th wonder of the world. Stoked!

I hope some more ideas come to mind regarding this wonderful country. Oh, I guess I should add a note about the notorious corruption of filipino politics and authority. Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough to not have experienced this yet, as the folks here have been nothing but warm and caring.

Maganda!

Promoting Campus Sustainability

As JUST mentioned, I have finished my semester in Hong Kong as well as my first experience of living in a dorm. This gave me an idea: promoting sustainability in school dorms.

The dorms can be equipped with composting and recycling bins, incentives for turning off lights (or timers and sensors, but I think this concept needs a little more research), low-pressure water spouts and heating, bike racks to promote cycling, and paying for air conditioning.

I’m sure there’s more ideas out there, please feel free to add!