Pala-isip

An interesting concept on using roads as solar panels. Only problem is, it's ridiculously expensive. Estimated cost to make all of US roadways solar? US$35 Trillion. So right now, it's just a dream. Full article at http://www.americainfra.com/news/solar-roadways/

Read this editorial in the Philippine Daily Inquirer about global warming. It mentions that sea level will rise because of global warming. What got me concerned was the report that rice yields in the Philippines could drop by 50 to 70 percent by 2020. That's a scary and sad at the same time. The Philippines was always considered to be a rich country pretending to be poor. Rich in the sense that the Philippines has abundant natural resources. From rich soil, good climate, mineral resources and rich ocean resources. Unfortunately for the Philippines, years of abuse and exploitation by the government has denuded the forest, polluted the oceans, gave away mineral rights for bribes and neglected all the potentials of the country. To read that rice production will drop by 50 to 70% is shocking. Considering that the International Rice Research Institute or IRRI was established in the Philippines. A lot of Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand envied the Philippines in the 1970s becau...

Just read this on the Inquirer today. UP studies shows that Manila is getting hotter. Here's the article . The article shows that the average temperatures of Manila has risen 2.96 degrees Celsius for the month of May. UP says that this is due to lack of vegetation, converting natural land to asphalt and concrete. Other man-made factors are use of motorized vehicles, airconditioners and other power generation equipments. Now you don't need a study by UP to know that Manila is getting hotter. You can definitely feel it if you've lived in Manila long enough. I used to remember where we can play outside during the summer under the sun and enjoy a cool breeze in the night. But not anymore. With so many hi-rise buildings, almost no spacing for homes, traffic, pollution and the city government turning everything into concrete. It's no surprise Manila is getting hotter. What's with the clean and green when your definition of green is to pave the sidewalk and paint the walls...