Saving the world, one blogpost at a time

Saving the world, one blogpost at a time

Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth

“We don’t have to raise our concerns on the streets or promulgate laws to be considered as one [environmentalists]. What we need is change within ourselves and we could be environmentalists in our own simple ways,” says Ronald Jariol of the Far Eastern University—Tamaraw Volunteers.

As the Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth blogging competition progresses, more and more young people reveal a genuine depth of understanding on different environmental issues, and on the crucial role they play in making a difference for the planet.

“And the youth are ready to take on the challenge.”

Since mid-July, voice after voice has been raised as different youth and their organizations joined the Coke Barkada community (www.cokebarkada.com), creating an online hub of youth environmental activism. In their own words, members of organizations such as the Rotaract Club, Aiesec, Ecomarts and the Tamaraw Volunteers from schools such as Roosevelt College Marikina, Far Eastern University, De La Salle University Manila and STI College Muñoz shared the different things they know they can do to help save the earth.

From “acting sustainably,” to “sweeping instead of hosing down the driveway,” one need not look far to learn of practical tips to conserve our natural resources and use practical and efficient alternatives to the potentially environmentally harmful conventions we’ve been accustomed to. Instead of browsing through forums about the popular trends and the showbiz gossip that are the staple fare of online portals young people nowadays frequent, one will find anecdotes and stories of youth organization-led activities such as tree-growing, and of the gatherings of student groups in forming alliances for causes such as clean air.

As active young people are in today’s online community, we find that through the Coke Barkada Web site and blogs, they have found a voice through a medium that comes as second nature to them, in a platform that encourages interaction, encouragement and inspiration from their peers.

Posting their insights online not only allows young people to touch base with one another and share realizations and ideas, but the blogs themselves also serve as a platform for involvement, with the different blog posts garnering reactions of additional insights and pledges of support and encouragement. “Oh? Ano na? Hindi pa ba kayo naiinspire sa mga totoong kuwento ng mga kabataang may pagmamahal sa lupaing kanyang tinitirahan?” reads one of the comments on the blog post of the head of one of the student organizations involved.

The youth’s creativity also becomes apparent, not just in thinking up ways of saving the Earth, but also in sharing them with everyone else. One organization came up with a blog post of mythical creatures that protect the environment. Through these characters with matching profiles and illustrations, they were able to relay the different ways in which to protect the air, the Earth, the waters and the forests.

From awareness and conviction is born involvement and interaction. From simple words and insights typed on computer screens can be born a movement of committed and socially conscious young people, coming together, learning from each other, and realizing that as one person, they can make a difference, but as many young people together, their voices resound, and that their convictions are held steadfast by each other.

Changing the world, they say, begins with acts of random kindness. Saving it, would involve heads, hands and hearts fired by youthful energy and enthusiasm. These posts shared online with the rest of the world are testimonials to the potentials that abound in young people. Read, and be inspired.

The Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth is a blogging competition that will serve as the first round of eliminations for the student organizations participating in the Coke Planet Project 2007. The winning organizations will get to participate in the eco-adventure race to be held at the SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 20. To read the blogs, visit www.cokebarkada.com.

Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth

“We don’t have to raise our concerns on the streets or promulgate laws to be considered as one [environmentalists]. What we need is change within ourselves and we could be environmentalists in our own simple ways,” says Ronald Jariol of the Far Eastern University—Tamaraw Volunteers.

As the Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth blogging competition progresses, more and more young people reveal a genuine depth of understanding on different environmental issues, and on the crucial role they play in making a difference for the planet.

“And the youth are ready to take on the challenge.”

Since mid-July, voice after voice has been raised as different youth and their organizations joined the Coke Barkada community (www.cokebarkada.com), creating an online hub of youth environmental activism. In their own words, members of organizations such as the Rotaract Club, Aiesec, Ecomarts and the Tamaraw Volunteers from schools such as Roosevelt College Marikina, Far Eastern University, De La Salle University Manila and STI College Muñoz shared the different things they know they can do to help save the earth.

From “acting sustainably,” to “sweeping instead of hosing down the driveway,” one need not look far to learn of practical tips to conserve our natural resources and use practical and efficient alternatives to the potentially environmentally harmful conventions we’ve been accustomed to. Instead of browsing through forums about the popular trends and the showbiz gossip that are the staple fare of online portals young people nowadays frequent, one will find anecdotes and stories of youth organization-led activities such as tree-growing, and of the gatherings of student groups in forming alliances for causes such as clean air.

As active young people are in today’s online community, we find that through the Coke Barkada Web site and blogs, they have found a voice through a medium that comes as second nature to them, in a platform that encourages interaction, encouragement and inspiration from their peers.

Posting their insights online not only allows young people to touch base with one another and share realizations and ideas, but the blogs themselves also serve as a platform for involvement, with the different blog posts garnering reactions of additional insights and pledges of support and encouragement. “Oh? Ano na? Hindi pa ba kayo naiinspire sa mga totoong kuwento ng mga kabataang may pagmamahal sa lupaing kanyang tinitirahan?” reads one of the comments on the blog post of the head of one of the student organizations involved.

The youth’s creativity also becomes apparent, not just in thinking up ways of saving the Earth, but also in sharing them with everyone else. One organization came up with a blog post of mythical creatures that protect the environment. Through these characters with matching profiles and illustrations, they were able to relay the different ways in which to protect the air, the Earth, the waters and the forests.

From awareness and conviction is born involvement and interaction. From simple words and insights typed on computer screens can be born a movement of committed and socially conscious young people, coming together, learning from each other, and realizing that as one person, they can make a difference, but as many young people together, their voices resound, and that their convictions are held steadfast by each other.

Changing the world, they say, begins with acts of random kindness. Saving it, would involve heads, hands and hearts fired by youthful energy and enthusiasm. These posts shared online with the rest of the world are testimonials to the potentials that abound in young people. Read, and be inspired.

The Coke Barkada’s Countdown to the Race: 10 Things We Will Do to Save the Earth is a blogging competition that will serve as the first round of eliminations for the student organizations participating in the Coke Planet Project 2007. The winning organizations will get to participate in the eco-adventure race to be held at the SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 20. To read the blogs, visit www.cokebarkada.com.

SOURCE: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_sept19_2007