Philippine Eagle severely threatened by habitat loss

Photo courtesy: John Smart

“Biodiversity is important to Man” I stated, during a discussion with business acquaintances last week. I was shocked that more than half the group asked, “Why?”

Here are the 3 reasons why biodiversity is important to Man.

Satellite image Super Typhoon Haiyan before landfall

Image: Kochi University, Tokyo

Friday 8th November, 2013, the most powerful typhoon to make landfall ever recorded swiped at the southern shores of Samar Island and smashed, like a freight train on steroids, into the town of Guiuan, Samar, and the city of Tacloban, Leyte; it pushed before it a storm surge - a wall of water - some 5 meters high (higher by some accounts). This “natural disaster”, that has possibly claimed upwards of 10,000 lives, should be a wake up call to the World because the cause is anything but natural. At the moment, only one person has shown the passion and dedication necessary to say it like it is . . .

Engineers off to survey wind turbine site

Image courtesy Martyn Willes

During the month of March, PhilCarbon has had a team of engineers in the field (literally) surveying for sites for Mindoro’s first wind farm in Bulalacao. An estimated 20MW wind power capacity may be installed in 2014 if the famous Bulalacao breezes check out.

Twenty sites are being surveyed in Bulalacao from which three will be chosen for a eighteen month wind analysis. A anemometer will be installed at the three best sites and the analysis of the wind data will dictate how many wind turbines can potentially be installed. According to Bulalacao Mayor Villas, “the wind turbines will be one of two renewable energy resources for Bulalacao . . . we are also seeking funding for a small hydro electric plant in one upstream location.”