Leorenz Jamias – A Transient Life

Today WWF launches its first ever emoji-based fundraising campaign to help support the organisation’s work to protect precious species and their habitats. The launch of the campaign, which will be run on Twitter, comes just ahead of Endangered Species Day on Friday 15 May.

FL Philippines -Earth Hour Celebrations - By Gregg Yan  WWF  EH2015 Global (Earth Hour) As nations and individuals around the globe gear up to participate in the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, WWF’s Earth Hour kickstarted the countdown to the 2015 event with the release of the official campaign video today. Set to the international hit song ‘Pompeii’ by British rock band Bastille, the two-minute video demonstrates how Earth Hour is empowering individuals and organisations around the world to take action on climate change.

Over the last seven years thousands of people from over 100 countries have taken part in Blog Action Day, creating global conversations on poverty, water, climate change, food, the environment, Power of We and Human Rights. A common thread within posts, across the varied Blog Action Day themes of the last several years that have always aroused great passion and empathy is Inequality. The Blog Action Day community are not the only ones concerned about inequality. If you take a look at your news, documentaries, top political or social concerns or even the conversations you have with your family and friends, inequality is a hot topic. Whether it is economic, racial, gender, disability, faith, sexuality, health, education, political, social status or age, inequality unfortunately seems to be on the rise, affecting more people and limiting the opportunities they have, in many different ways. For Blog Action Day 2014, let us think about and contribute to the global discussion on ...

It’s More Sun in the Philippines – As the world’s second-largest archipelago, the Philippines is composed of 7107 isles – making it difficult to connect all islands to the grid through power transmission and distribution lines. Installing solar panels will make many small islands energy self-sufficient. (Gregg Yan / WWF ) With the Department of Energy’s warning that an impending power shortage will befall the Luzon grid next year, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reiterates its call for the Philippine government to more actively mainstream renewable energy (RE) solutions to meet the growing demand for electricity. Especially if we aim for enhanced national competitiveness through increased control over the supply and cost of power, RE must be integrated as the primary solution to the power development plan of the Philippines.

A boat braves an armada of plastic bags in Manila Bay, the Philippines. Plastic accounts for half the world’s marine debris. Reducing our reliance on plastics will save marine life. (Jürgen Freund / WWF ) In fully-furnished homes, you’ll usually find television sets, tables, chairs, coffee tables, desk lamps, sofa sets, refrigerators, rugs, plus curtains. These same items – even the proverbial kitchen sink – have all been retrieved from the sea. Because of improper waste disposal, untold amounts of garbage end up in our oceans to harm marine life.

International Celebrity Chef Bobby Chinn addresses the crowd at Hamilo Coast in Batangas. “As seafood consumers, we all have a responsibility to ensure that the fish we eat comes from sustainable sources." Coral Triangle Day is celebrated every 9th of June and highlights the need to conserve the region's marine resources. (Gregg Yan / WWF-Philippines )

Typhoon Yolanda destroyed about 30,000 bancas, depriving some 145,000 artisanal and commercial fisherfolk of their livelihoods. WWF promotes the evolution pf boat-making technology to ensure that tomorrow’s bancas are ready to weather the waves of the future. (Gregg Yan / WWF-Philippines)

In a first of its kind partnership, Spider-Man will be the first Super Hero ambassador for Earth Hour, the global movement organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), with a message to inspire individuals to use their power to become Super Heroes for the planet.

It has been weeks since; yet, the images of the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda(Haiyan) remains with us. The picture of homes and livelihoods torn down, of villages and farmlands ruined, and of families hungry and in grieving will forever be etched in our minds. We all know there is still a lot needed to be done. Even with the strength and resiliency shown by our fellow Filipinos in the aftermath of all these, the survivors still are in need of a continuous stream of support as they venture to rebuild what has been lost. For my part, I sought out alternate avenues to try and provide support for the survivors. In my own way and by the use of my blog, the power of the internet, and the strong connections of social media, I was fortunate enough to come across one great opportunity to do so through the help of the generous people at Canva. I always believe a Company that gives back will see prosperous years ahead. I know it will come for the kindhearted people of Canva. I a...

Two great European New Wave bands Wang Chung and Naked Eyes will perform a one night only show in Manila at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resorts Wang Chung and Naked Eyes will be having their first concert in the country entitled Back 2 Back Throwback on December 5, 2013 (Thursday) 7pm at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino for the benefit of the recent super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) survivors thru Oplan Damayan Yolanda and for the kids of Gabay sa Landas Foundation.

Everyday we hear news about inequality, injustice, and violence directly affecting people from deep poverty, issues particularly against women, lower castes, indigenous people, the disabled, and minorities to name a few. We have seen and, for some, even experienced human rights violations. I believe we can better defend and protect our Human Rights if we first get to know, to learn, and to acknowledge what they are. From there, we can continue from the aspirations and achievements laid before us as we strive to be better men and progressive citizens of the global community. We all can share and inspire about positive and lasting change in society. And, ultimately, leave an enduring legacy for our children and future generations. Together with participants for Blog Action Day, let us unite with the rest of the world by posting about Human Rights in order to raise awareness and trigger a positive global discussion around this important issue that impacts us all.

I experienced Earth Hour this year through Greenpeace Philippines along with the Great Work Movement and Care for the Earth Ministry of Malate Catholic Church. We celebrated at the fronting grounds of the Remedios Jubilee Mission Center, Our Lady of Remedies Parish Malate Church. At 8:30PM this Saturday 26th March 2011, we switched off the lights with the rest of the world for Earth Hour while committing to actions that go beyond the hour. Why do I get involved? Earth Hour has done and continues to do a lot to raise awareness of sustainability issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It is a celebration about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet I'd like to share with you some memorable scenes from the event through a quick recap and a gallery of the photos I took. I'm not a professional photographer, mind you. I'm not even a good casual photographer, so please bear with me o...

This year the world comes together on World Aids Day to commemorate the theme of 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. People are taking action to tackle HIV prejudice and to protect ourselves and others from HIV transmission. This day is a chance to raise public awareness, and hopefully breakdown some of the unwarranted stigma that surrounds HIV. In my discussion with friends about AIDS/HIV on one occasion or another, I've noticed that many are still quite at a loss. Some are very much mum about the issue. I could tell that a lot are afraid and would rather not face the issues surrounding it. I want to share some key points with you, together with our family, friends, and colleagues. I've looked into trusted organizations and online sources. Hopefully, the information here helps us to start of in the right direction on the facts and issues surrounding AIDS and HIV.

From my previous post regarding the challenge on Facebook to unfriend coal and to start using renewable energy sources for their data centres, we find an ally to help us voice out our concerns. Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace International, is taking up the charge. Greenpeace had previously started their Cool IT Challenge , which focuses on Climate leadership and that encourages IT companies to apply their technological know-how and innovative spirit to solving the climate crisis. The campaign urges IT companies to put forth solutions, mitigate their own carbon footprint, and advocate for significant policy changes in the mutual interest of business and the climate. In Kumi's open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, he asks him to take responsibility for the company's growing energy footprint and show some climate leadership.

Anthony Burrill, in conjunction with Purple Monkey Design in New Orleans, Louisiana created a limited edition of 200 posters, screen printed with oil from the Gulf of Mexico disaster. The oil was picked up on the beaches of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The posters were then printed at Purple Monkey Design in New Orleans, Louisiana. Inspiration can definitely sprout through taking from disaster and turning it into a piece of art. The message here is indicative of the issues on corporate and environmental responsibility. And, given the disaster's impact to the surrounding area and to the people living there, the combined art and message themselves are truly invaluable. It is simply ingenious. I'm also reminded of how some Filipino artists made use of the volcanic ash fall from Mt. Pinatubo as a medium for their artistic creations. Though we would rather favor these events to never have happened; however, we still can derive a measure of positive and uplifting assertion by means ...

I must confess. After receiving the email about the topic for this year, I was at a bit of a loss on what I would be able to contribute. I searched the internet and I had some ideas thrown at me from various sources. I know there are a lot of issues surrounding water. I was able to gather some of interest. Still, I just could not wrap my head around it. I started to write even though I had no idea how my blog post would turn out. A few minutes later and it was then that it dawned on me. I had taken water for granted.

Last February, Facebook announced it was building its first data center, in Prineville, Oregon, in the northwest of the US. It will be a massive data centre, which is packed full of the latest energy efficient computers to serve the hundreds of millions of friends connecting on their near-addictive social networking website. Unfortunately, it was soon found out that they plan to operate the place with energy from Pacific Power, a utility fueled primarily by coal.

As the image appeared on my screen from clicking on a site link, I had to laugh from the sheer candidness and truism of this. Now, if only we actually could take heed and follow through with the fascinating guerrilla stenciling by artist Peter Drew, we'd all be a bit healthier and the environment would be much cleaner. Peter Drew's street art focuses on the politics of climate change and touches base on individual responsibilities and lifestyle adjustments. This particular piece comes from his love of bikes. He believes the world would work better if more people used theirs. I concur. Share the message across about your love for the environment, your concern for climate change, or your yearning for better health and fitness. You can print out the image as a poster or plaster it on a t-shirt. Peter Drew gave the image a Creative Commons license so feel free to download it in a hi-res version through Carlton Reid. Of course, using your bike more would even be better. ...

Earth Hour began in 2007 when 2.2 million people in one city used their light switch to have their say. And for the past four years since then, it has been building up support and has clearly been doing a lot to raise awareness on climate change issues. With nearly 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organization. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It is also about giving people a voice on the future of our planet, and the chance to send a message of hope to world leaders. During this year's Earth Hour, a new global climate change initiative by the WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature was introduced.

Do you long for a cleaner, more livable world than what we have now? Do you want to ensure a future of prosperity, health and progress not just for us but also for our children and the children of tomorrow? It all starts with hope. But to hope is definitely more than just wishful thinking. We all have to do our share now and get ourselves involved. Hopenhagen is the platform where you can act and create a positive outcome in the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December 2009. The mission should you choose to accept it is to help connect every person, every city and every nation towards a movement that's powerful enough to influence change. Because if there is enough of us involved, the leaders of the world will listen.