Banaue Rice Terraces now Endangered

The often called “Eighth Wonder of the World” is in the endangered list and the Philippines is racing to beat the deadline on 2009 given by the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Center.

This is to speed up the rescue of Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province which is now dying out.

UNESCO included the Banaue Rice Terraces in 1995 as one of about 180 other World Heritage Sites that should be preserved for future generation’s enjoyment and appreciation.

In 1999, the Rice Terraces of Ifugao was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger due to deterioration of the terrace clusters which was mainly caused by socio-economic problems.

The lack of maintenance due to apparent disinterest of Ifugao youth using the traditional rice farming practiced by elders and ancestors caused damage to terrace walls and irrigation systems. Also, the lack of zoning and failure to prevent the construction of houses ruins the heritage landscape.

source: Philippine Star

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Hundreds pose nude on Swiss glacier

Eager to raise awareness on the effects of global warming, hundreds of naked people pose for a photo session for Greenpeace on the the Aletsch glacier with US photographer Spencer Tunick.

With a soaring 50 degrees temperature, A “living sculpture” was formed by naked people at Switzerland’s Aletsch glacier Saturday to draw attention about climate change which results to shrinking of glaciers.


New York artist, Tunick was known for his pictures of nude gatherings in public settings worldwide co-organized with the environmental group, Greenpeace.

source: sfgate

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Rain forecast to fall over Luzon next week

PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) reported a possible rainfall on the next few weeks over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

According to PAGASA’s report, a low pressure area is now forming within the Philippine Area od Responsibility.

This rainfall may perhaps solve temporarily the water crisis within Luzon triggered by natural climate change and man-made global warming.

source:

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Mt. Bulusan Erupted Early this Morning

Bulusan volcano send out a 5 kilometer high ash in the sky of Sorsogon early morning of Tuesday (July 31).

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs, )Bulusan's latest volcanic activity was recorded at 9:37 a.m.

A four-kilometer permanent danger zone has been already implemented and is at alert level 1. Alert Level 1 means there is a possibility of an upcoming stronger eruption.

Watch the flash report from gmanews.tv

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Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in the Philippines on August

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the year's second total lunar eclipse which will occur this August of 2007.

This happens when the Earth is situated between the sun and the moon.The moon passes through the portion of the earth's shadow which produce a total lunar eclipse.

Filipinos will be able to witness this total lunar eclipse on Aug. 28 which will be visible in the country and other parts of the world.

The eclipse will begin at 3:52 p.m. and will end at 9:22 p.m. The moon will rise at 6:08 p.m. and set at 5:16 a.m. the following day.

The first total lunar eclipse of 2007 happened last March 4.

source: philstar.com

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Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza now DENR Secretary

Environmentalists were shocked over Lito Atienza’s appoinment as DENR Secretary.

After Malacañang’s search for possible replacement for the vacated positions on government-owned and controlled corporations, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Former Metro Manila Mayo Lito Atienza as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary.

The new DENR Secretary replaced Angelo Reyes who will move to the energy department.

According to the president of a non-government organization that runs the Arroceros Forest Park, it would be a disaster for the whole country because of Atienza’s track record.

In Atienza’s mayoralty days, a part Arroceros Park was converted into the City Schools Division office and was closed to the public.

The former mayor seems to be not surprised of what his critics has to say. He said he is ready to face intrigues regarding his qualifications as head of DENR.

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