GabLifestyle gives you a look into the Ateneo Environmental Science Society, in the second of two features on university organizations working to mobilize today’s youngest generation to try and make a mark in the global environmental crusade.
When was your group established? Please give a short background on how the organization was formed.
The group was established in 1994, originally named the Ateneo Community of Environmentalists (ACE). One of its main purposes was to give students majoring in Environmental Science (ES), which was then newly-established, an opportunity to congregate and function more as an organization. They were looking for [a] place in [the] campus amidst all the business- and socially-oriented organizations. Given that reason, the ES majors, with the help of the ES faculty formed ACE, which eventually became the ESS. At first it was difficult to get people involved in environmentally-concerned projects and exposure trips (“ecotours”). But after 6 years of striving, ESS became a probationary organization during the SY2001-2002 [under the] Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA); by the end of the year, through the hard work of the ESS officers the organization officially received accreditation.
How many members does your group currently have (excluding alumni members)? How does one join your group? What are the qualifications?
Usually, there are around 100 to 150 members. They can join simply by expressing interest and signing up; and the major qualification is passing a screening interview to see if they are actually committed to the cause.
What is the message that your group wants to communicate to the campus community? Why?
Sending her message through her action
The Ateneo Environmental Science Society is urging everyone to take that simple step in becoming more environment-friendly. Our organization wants to communicate the need for environmental protection, awareness, and sustainability. Simply put, we have to take care of our environment because it is the only one we have. Mankind needs to save the environment, because nothing will be left without it—everything is literally connected to the environment, in situations both obvious and less obvious. Man needs to use whatever means he has, and take that greener step towards balance with nature.
How many projects does your group pursue each year? Please describe these projects.
Another active day for ESS volunteers
We have approximately 10 to 12 projects per year. Each project is geared towards making members (and even non-members) more aware of, and engaged in environmental preservation. The activities are mainly separated into two categories: internal or in-campus projects and external or outside-campus projects.
The ESS Week and EcoCamp are the highlights of the internal projects. ESS Week is an umbrella project that encompasses several mini-projects aimed to spread cause awareness. The EcoCamp consists of activities during which grade school and high school students are given the opportunity to learn more about the environment through debates and quiz-bee [competitions]. For external projects, Ecotours are outside activities in which members are taken from the confines of the campus walls and exposed to more hands-on efforts, the most basic being picking up trash along the coastline and such.
Does the student body help or support your group? How?
The Ateneo campus is slowly making progress to become “greener.” In fact, even the administration is taking steps to become more environmentally friendly – something clearly manifested through the creation of the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition (AEMC). This is a project of the Vice President of the Ateneo, and is focused on the implementation of in-campus environmental campaigns. Examples of these are the Bring your Own Baunan (B.Y.O.B.), and the Clean As You Go (ClayGO) movement. The administration has also opened the Ateneo grounds to the eco-friendlier Electronic Tricycles (E-Trikes).
Moreover, the students themselves are becoming more environmentally concerned, showing increasing engagement in environmental activities by [means of] supporting environmental campaigns and by joining organizations like ESS. These activities and organizations help them in showing their love for the environment through tangible, measurable ways.
Name some of your previous projects. Were they effective? How so?
One of ESS members’ Pawikan Sanctuary visits
An annual ESS project involves members visiting the Pawikan Sanctuary in Morong, Bataan. This two-day event allows the students to have direct participation in the protection and preservation of the Pawikan, an endangered species, by guiding the turtle hatchlings to the ocean, therefore helping them through what is actually one of the most dangerous periods of their life. By safely reaching the shore, these turtles are immediately given a higher chance of survival.
Last year, ESS played a vital role in creating the Philippine Youth Environment Network (PhilYEN), together with Earth Day Philippines and with the participation of various institutions. PhilYEN is envisioned to be the umbrella network of all youth organizations in pursuit of environmental advocacy. Ateneo de Manila University served as the host for its inaugural conference last November 19-20 2009.
The said projects were certainly effective in spreading the cause, and in endearing the environment to the community.
What projects do you have lined up this year? Who will this endeavor involve?
Student shows how being informed can mean everything
This year, we have three flagship projects: EcoTours, EcoCamp, and ESS Week. EcoTours is basically composed of 3-4 outings (including the Turtle Walk and the International Coastal Cleanup). The said outings are held in places like Bulacan, Batangas, Bataan, and other far-away places. Aside from being a means for more hands-on, out-of-campus exposure, these activities can also serve as a form of getaway from the routines of academic life for the members of the organization.
In-campus events for this year include the weekend-long EcoCamp (with its EcoLogic Quiz Bee for grade school students and EcoDebates for high school students).
Another is the ESS Week which includes projects like Earth Visions: Eagle’s Eye, Be GuiltlESS!, and EnviRun: Leaving a Print.
Earth Visions is a creativity contest and online exhibit following the theme of Climate Change/Biodiversity. This is open to various forms of media such as photography, drawing, comic strip, advertisement, poetry, and any other means to portray current environmental issues.
Be GuiltlESS! features a number of mostly interactive booths that inform and educate the Ateneo community about environmental conservation, protection, and rehabilitation – all done through active individual involvement.
Finally, EnviRun: Leaving a Print is a race to different areas involving different tasks for each team. The activity has an environmental twist, as each area or pitstop carries a theme that complements the global environmental movement and highlights specific environmental issues.
Additional projects include the Drayberde, ESS Magazine, and the ESS Christmas Candy.
Drayberde is a project that caters to public utility vehicle drivers, who are brought to the campus to be oriented about clean living and driving. The program includes providing information on proper maintenance that will benefit the vehicle, AND the environment.
The ESS Magazine is the organization’s official publication, [equipped] to spread awareness and promotion of the ESS, its activities, and its message. It will include various contributions of articles, artworks, and photographs from ESS members.
Lastly, the ESS Christmas Candy is a weeklong event during which candy canes, cupcakes and chocolate-covered apples will be sold. Part of the proceeds will go to tree planting activities.
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