25 March 2023, San Juan, La Union. As the world celebrated Earth Hour on March 25th, 2023, FEED together with their long-time tree-nurturing partner, Bluestone, gathered for a whole day of stoke for surf and for mother nature with the ECOSURF program as their way of committing to the preservation of the planet.
ECOSURF was first launched by FEED back in 2019, as an integrated program that both tackled climate change action through youth and volunteer (public at large) planting engagement whilst enjoying surfing. It includes planting of salt-tolerant Philippine Native trees—Bitaog, Botong and Talisay with a brief but meaningful lecture by sir Celso Jucutan, Environmental Science Lecturer at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) North Campus (NULC) both in Bacnotan, San Juan, La Union; and also FEED Ambassador since 2018.
Followed by coral propagation and planting, and fun surfing lessons with Jongky Surf School’s certified surf coaches and coral ecosystem advocates, trained by FEED coral propagation partner Ocean Quest Global.
Thank you always, Celso Jucutan, for imparting your knowledge to the eco warriors!
Surf basics for safety measures before surf lesson via one of Jongky’s Surf School’s professional surf instructors, Ronald Pansit.
Fun under the sun! Welcoming dry season with surf lessons as part of ECO Surf Program in partnership with Jongky Surf School.
Native Trees and Coral Reefs as Integral Part of Coastal Ecosystem
Bitaog, Botong and Talisay are all known for their ability to tolerate high levels of salt in the soil and air, they can also help to prevent soil erosion and provide proper shade and habitat for wildlife. It is the same for coral reefs, its diversity provides important ecosystem services such as coastal protection and fisheries.
But due to careless development that often involves removal of natural vegetation to make way for infrastructures such as massive buildings and roads combined with land-based pollution– water waste drainage, trees and corals alike have been reported to deplete over the years resulting to damage in coastal ecosystem.
Planting our Bitaug, Botong and Talisay trees in this beloved Surftown.
The heat of the sun can’t stop them from protecting the coastal ecosystem!
Education, Awareness and Fun in One
Bluestone Insurance have been FEED’s partner in conservation of the environment since 2020. Now on their 3rd year, they experienced again another Ridge to Reef ECOSurf Program. 25 participants were extremely stoked to experience once again riding the waves of San Juan, La Union and with this activity they were able to appreciate the power of the ocean, the importance of it and the life it brings.
After the fun and fruitful activities, the participants enjoyed a sumptuous boodle fight.
This consistent experience of the company’s employees through their CSR, encouraged them to be more interested as individuals and city dwellers in learning about and preserving the coastal ecosystem through coral propagation and native tree planting, and above all, mindful tourism.
Thank you Bluestone as always for your true passion for the protection of our precious environment, May the Forest be with you always!
| Jen Carag | Elizabeth Anne Labanon |
| Clarence Gamboa | Raymond Tan |
| Jhon Razen Patriarca | Ella Sace |
| Zab Pacleb | Cristina Apillanes |
| Jane Penano | Mae Magsino |
| Charmain Addie Pabalan | Diane Pamela Quiambao |
| Mark Angelo Padayao | Ioni Mendoza |
| Shaira Mae Arevalo | Neil Clyne Neo |
| Carmylisa Rivera | Leela Andrea Manalo |
| Alvin Cojena | Camille Joy Willy |
| Claudine Soriano | Lynchille Magat |
| Jeremiah Nicolo Agapito | Reymond Subia |
Videos
Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
Related Articles
- Bluestone Add 315 Trees to Start their Sierra Madre Reforestation Program (18 Feb 2021)
- Bluestone’s Insurances Expand their Sierra Madre Forest (13 Mar 2021)
- Bluestone’s Third Tree Planting Provides Additional Forestry Livelihood for Local Community (25 Jun 2021)
- 4th Tree Planting Accumulates 1,160 Trees in Bluestone’s Sierra Madre Forest (28 Jul 2021)
- Bluestone Continues to Plant Trees for Every Home Loan Customer – 5th Planting (15 Jan 2022)
- Another 727 Trees Planted in Bluestone’s Sierra Madre Forest (15 Aug 2022)
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.
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.