18 August 2023, San Juan, La Union. Under their tagline “Grow Green“, the story of “KMC Cares” Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program engagement in environmental conservation activities – specifically surfing, coral planting, and the mangrove planting of 20,000 seedlings from the Aringay, La Union community backyard nurseries – is a heartwarming testament to the power of community-driven initiatives for the preservation of our natural environment.
Welcome gathering at San Juan, La Union, under the shade of Umbrella (Talisay) and Duhat fruit trees planted 31 years ago.
The fact that KMC Solutions chose to engage in these activities after days of heavy rain and thunderstorms underscores their commitment to environmental conservation. It shows that they understand the significance of such efforts in mitigating the impact of climate change and safeguarding our planet’s future.
FEED Ambassador Celso Jucutan is also an environmental lecturer at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Bacnotan; as well as the co-founder of various youth leadership volunteer organizations actively immersed in environmental conservation.
The presence of Celso Jucutan, FEED Ambassador, and Anne-Marie Mananquil Bakker, FEED’s Director of Partnerships, at the community gathering highlights the collaborative nature of these initiatives.
Ate Delilah being acknowledged for her active community leadership in helping to spread the need for backyard mangrove nurseries, enabling larger scale plantings for greater storm surge protection and livelihood opportunities for Sitio Coconut Grooves, Bgy Dulao, Aringay, La Union.
The acknowledgment of Ate Delilah, head of the fishing cooperative in Sitio Coconut Groove, Brgy. Dulao, Aringay, La Union – whose family played a pivotal role in the early mangrove planting efforts – emphasizes the intergenerational commitment to conservation and the long-lasting impact it can have on communities.
Fishing cooperative leader Ate Delilah (pictured in maroon in the rear) planting 7,800 mangroves to date for KMC Solutions, with her children and grandchildren, following the legacy of her mother.
The story also reflects the resilience of both the participants and the mangroves themselves. Despite the scorching heat and then heavy rains, KMC ecowarriors remained determined to fulfill their mission.
Snorkling 101 with FEED.
Surfing 101 with La Union Surf Club, Inc. (LUSC) certified surf instructors.
This determination and adaptability mirror the qualities exhibited by mangroves, which are not just ordinary trees but keystone species that form a climate resilient component of the intricate ecosystems that offer essential services to La Union province, “Surfing Capital of the North”; also, as a microcosm of what our planet needs to restore.
Mangroves are marvels of nature, showcasing ecological resilience, biodiversity, and their vital role in protecting coastal communities from the effects of climate change, such as typhoons and rising sea levels. However, it is essential to recognize that they are under threat from various factors, including deforestation and coastal “development”.
By the way, it is no easy task to traverse fish ponds full if typically brackish waters, sandy and murky, full of barnacles and other hazardous objects that cut many of the participants feet not used to these conditions…local kids of Sitio Coconut Grooves run freely without slippers, but wet booties and slippers are needed for protection if one is not used to rains and heavy mud conditions that prevail during the rainy season. It still remains the best time for planting, increasing survivability up to the minimum 85% FEED and partners always aim to deliver.
The call to action in KMC’s narrative is clear: through increased understanding and concerted conservation efforts, we can ensure a future where these invaluable ecosystems continue to thrive and provide crucial services to both humans and the environment. By safeguarding mangroves, we are safeguarding the future of our planet, and this message resonates strongly with the global environmental conservation movement.
Whilst several parts of the ECOSURF program are fixed (i.e. coastal and coral planting, beach cleanup and surfing), other parts are flexible to allow those who have not experienced the outdoors or seaside immersion or fish pond experience for planting, to absorb as much of nature as possible.
KMC Cares truly earned their native boodle fight lunch after having snorkled, surfed, beach clean up in the direct heat along the Eastern shoreline and shading themselves after under the Talisays planted decades ago. Everyone was grateful for the native food prepared by the local communities who sourced from the market earlier that day, also a part of the community based approach critical to FEED and partners’ environmental awareness work.
Coral Propagation carried out with Ocean Quest Global certified Jongky Surf School surf instructors.
In conclusion, the story of KMC Solutions’ environmental activities serves as an inspiring example of how individuals and organizations can make a positive impact on the environment. It emphasizes the need for ongoing efforts to protect and preserve our natural world for the benefit of current and future generations.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful partnership, FEED and partners. We hope that our little contribution to the environment will soon translate into an impactful outcome for the community.” – Erickson Avila, CHRP, CCBP | People & Culture Senior Manager, KMC Solutions
From all of us at FEED, we can tell you that is already has. The acknowledgement alone of high quality mangrove seedlings propagated in the communities backyards, is testament to their awareness of the need to build self- and climate-resilience.
Kudos to KMC Solutions ecowarriors for your outstanding display of humble leadership in action – May the Forest be with you always!
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GPS Coordinates
About KMC Solutions
KMC Solutions is committed to providing premium office spaces and high-performing offshore teams for both Filipino and Multinational companies. KMC started out with only 2 floors in a single building, now we have the largest collection of coworking spaces in the Philippines with 49 floors across 20+ buildings. We are proud to be trusted by some of the most innovative startups & partners and established global brands when it comes to doing business in the Philippines.
For more details, visit: https://kmc.solutions/
On Carbon Sequestration – How Much CO2 can our trees absorb?
Trees are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” as they are able to store carbon and produce oxygen, which is essential to many life forms. Trees also stabilise soil and reduce air temperature and humidity, whilst also reducing flooding and improving water quality. Without trees, most fauna and flora would not survive, what more humans?
It is widely accepted that a typical tree can absorb around 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year when in fully grown status, meaning that saplings, seedlings and younger trees – whether mangroves or primary or secondary forest trees – absorb around half, so conservatively say 11 kgs per year (also widely used by most international forestry agencies around the world).
So, over a lifetime of a tropical tree (100 years), one tree can absorb around 1 tonne of CO2. Although this figure seems large, it should be measured in perspective: to date we humans generate around 40 billions tonnes of CO2 each year on Earth. Which means, that we need to plant 40 billion trees annually to offset these emissions.
Even if we could, though, land availability for agriculture and farming, including livestock production – one of the largest, increasing land conversion threats worldwide aside from urbanisation – would be significantly reduced. Which then translates into water and food security challenges, among others, but not limited to e.g.: urbanization and lack of city spaces leads to housing and commercial developments in critical watersheds, thereby threatening our fresh water supply and declining forest cover; or agricultural pollution threatening crops and livestocks, affecting poultry, dairy, pork and beef food production systems, and so on and so forth.
Thanks to our Fleet Management ecowarriors, and every other FEED partner and patron who enable community based reforestation to take place. If we estimate the carbon sequestration of Fleet’s 5000 upland native Philippine trees have the potential to offset* 5,000 tonnes of CO2 in these trees’ lifetime.
*A CARBON OFFSET IS A REDUCTION OR REMOVAL OF EMISSIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE OR OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES MADE IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR EMISSIONS MADE ELSEWHERE. OFFSETS ARE MEASURED IN TONNES OF CARBON DIOXIDE-EQUIVALENT. ONE TON OF CARBON OFFSET REPRESENTS THE REDUCTION OR REMOVAL OF ONE TON OF CARBON DIOXIDE OR ITS EQUIVALENT IN OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES. (WIKIPEDIA, 2022)
NATURE IS SPEAKING (Narrated by Julia Roberts)
What can I do to stop climate change?
“As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity.
The good news: We are not alone. People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do.
In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.” – David Suzuki
Check out some of the ways you can take more climate change action.
For example, Climate Action groups are the local solution to a global crisis. Right now people just like you are coming together to develop practical, local solutions and make their towns and cities more climate-friendly. Are you ready to join them? Find out what’s happening near you.
More here: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/what-can-I-do-to-stop-climate-change
Contact FEED
In 2015, the Philippine government submitted to the United Nations the country’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. The carbon dioxide reductions will come from the sectors of energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry. Join us! Help us reverse the Earth’s “hothouse climate” tipping point.
Tree-Planting with FEED
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.