By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

INDEPENDENCE from fossil fuels by using local flora for biofuel development is a key component in reducing ozone-depleting carbon emissions, according to the head of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

In a press conference on climate change, ICRISAT Director General William Dar also pointed out that the Philippines has enough locally available plants that can be used for soil conservation and managing food requirements.

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Dar stressed that the impending global climate change has changed the economies of many countries, especially those in the arid and semi-arid tropics of which the Philippines is included. He said that there are warning signs pointing toward food supply problems, storms, flooding and droughts that could adversely affect a nation’s way of life.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

AN EXECUTIVE from the Asian Development Bank said that an Asia-wide action to alleviate the effects of climate change is not only an obligation but also a moral imperative.

Speaking at the Carbon Forum Asia in Singapore, ADB vice president Ursula Schäfer-Preuss said the private sector should cooperate in reducing the effects of global climate change.

She noted in her speech that Asia today accounts for 27 percent of the world’s energy-related greenhouse emission, compared to just about 10 percent in the 1970s.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

GREENPEACE is calling for the Senate to pass the Renewable Energy Bill in an effort to fend off the effects of climate change.

The group, wearing alarm clocks to signify the time pressure to pass the bill, held a short rally at the Senate building in the hopes of convincing legislators make an effort before the upcoming First National Communication on Climate Change to be held in Indonesia.

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Jasper Inventor told INQUIRER.net that the bill has been languishing for years, despite strong support from different senators and congress.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

TEAM Sinag has finished 11th out of the 21 participants in the Challenge category of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge (WSC) in Australia.

Here’s a photo of the Sinag solar car crossing the finish line in Adelaide.

The Philippine team also finished 20th out of the total 38 participants in the WSC, an international competition for developers of solar-powered vehicles.

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By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net

THE SINAG solar car has traveled 633 kilometers as of the second day of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge in Australia. This would be the longest distance yet traveled by the first Philippine-made solar car.

According to the Sinag Team website, Sinag is in 29th place out of 37 cars after they passed the stop at Dunmarra, which is the second stop during the 3,021-kilometer race.

Team Sinag has also avoided failing along the race, despite 10 other vehicles being towed.

The team’s next stop is Alice Springs, which is another 600 kilometers from Dunmarra. They would reach Alice Springs by October 24 where they will be displayed for a while.

The event, which started last October 21, will end in October 28. It will run from Darwin to Adelaide.

Team Sinag is composed of 15 students from the De La Salle University. This would be the first time that the Philippines will join the World Solar Challenge. It joined under the Challenge category.