Initially after I read the subheadings in the Philippine Daily Inquirer frontpage of yesterday's issue (March 7, 2007), I just couldn’t believe my eyes and I have to re-read it at least twice after that. The article placed in the right corner of the paper announced how the very credible international consumer survey company AC Nielsen, in its report “Online Consumer Opinion Survey”, collated results that shows that Filipinos who have access to Internet has the highest awareness rating on the issue of global warming. Yes, Filipinos topped the survey conducted among online users from 47 countries, with over 25,000 users covered. This is entirely relevant to us since this should show that in actuality, Filipinos are generally knowledgeable about Internet use and had been using it in a very useful manner. Awareness of environmental issues makes it all the more pleasant where despite its urgency as a social issue, global warming is to me the least understood among the problems that hound the world today. War in Iraq and weather catastrophes are issues that should top recognizance among the general population, around the world, but topics such as global warming often takes a backseat, mostly because its so technical and scientific in nature and the every John and Jane wouldn’t have much time to ponder about. Remember what they say about short attention span.
Maybe one can imagine how it would go if people on the streets are to be asked about the subject of global warming spontaneously; to be sure we’d get funny faces and empty stares.
I would have expected Americans to be most rationally aware of global warming, with Al Gore having had a very popular run with his campaign againts it, through a popular documentary and frequent public speeches on this subject. Or even Europeans whose icy weather could be most radically affected if the onset of global warming strengthens in the future.
Yet, the online Filipino can claim to be surfers and readers of significant subjects online, and not merely the usual stuff individuals often dig in the net, like social networking and pornographic materials.
I think this is an achievement in every sense.
I'm not surprised at all. When it comes to awareness, we Pinoys are quite up there with the best of them. It's the Action that we are not known of, especially our Leaders. Now that the some of the Major causes of Global Warming are Man-Made, what are we going to do to save this planet for the futere Generation. We here, are forcing our Govt. to make this the number one issue and may be become the Number one issue this coming campaign and every party is coming up with their best effort for the solutions. Awareness Plus Actions will give us results...
Comment by vic — March 8, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
While its true that we are aware of the burning issues about our environment, we are sadly lacking in positive actions. Our forests continue to dwindle, no thanks to the loggers and the slash and burn farmers. The Pasig river is still decaying and our marine resources are slowly drying up due to rampant destruction of corals and overfishing.
BTW, you've been tagged...
Comment by snglguy — March 9, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
I'm not surprised at all with this news, Major Tom. We Pinoys are very good in a lot of areas, and not just in the awareness level issue. It's just too bad that our government is "bulok" and that's what's pulling us down as a nation.
Sad, but true.
Talking about global warming, it looks and feels like spring here in Switzerland. It has been a snowless winter.
Comment by Jayred — March 10, 2007 @ 1:29 am
I'm not surprised about that either. I think we Filipinos are great users of the Internet as well as great readers of newspapers and yes, tabloids. However, doing something about global warming is another thing.
Comment by Toe — March 10, 2007 @ 10:39 am
I agree with Snglguy. Awareness is one, action is another. The way we abuse our environment is a clear indication that we don't care about global warming.
Comment by Abaniko — March 10, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Well, understably the US as one of the worst polluters together with China aren't into this. They didn't even sign-up for the Kyoto Protocol.
Al Gore's movie was just made recently, though a lot of sceptics criticizing it.
*Off topic...why I came.
Just read the news over at Snglguy. Congratulations! Keep it up! 
Comment by ipanema — March 10, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Wow! That's wonderful news!!! Got here via snglguy... Congrats by the way. I'm not surprised with regards to the warming issue, to be honest. There is too much money being spent on the information drive and too much noise from eco-activists! I may be on the minority about this actually, as I'm a tad bit sceptic. I have to say - I've been doing a fair share by segregating my rubbish: bottles, papers, etc. and I also cycle to work if it's not too nippy, but I'm always suspicious that there is something more to it. The current hype on the subject is turning it into what some people call as 'Climate Porn'... funny you mentioned the porn bit on your post. LOL! It's like one of those untested vaccines the West is stuffing into the Third World. And by the way, recently Bush although he didn't sign the Kyoto, is an advocate. It feels like a convenient way to scare the developing countries from 'developing'. I blogged about it yesterday. LOL!
Comment by howling — March 10, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
To vic: You're so right to the point bro, it's esactly what we need. I observed that in America or even in Canada, as well as in European countries like the United Kingdom, candidates there presents encompassing agendas and plan of actions and supplement that on how to actually implement them. And when they get voted into their respective positions, it seems that the the health care programs or social security strategy are actually implemented. Unlike here where empty promises is the norm. And environmental issues are among the issues that is high on their list. Senatorial candidate Migs Zubiri is initiating that mode of campaign with his call for cleaner and cheaper biofuels and it remains to be seen if it actually works and get implemented.
To sngl: That's the sad truth sngl and I wonder if is only lack of funds that our government fail to curb the deterioration of our forests and the rehabilitation of our rivers. All I see is just lack of initiative and commitment to do them. I mean, volunteers can surely help if only the initiative there. I for one have no qualm whatsoever in trodding thru dead and dirty rivers just to make them live again, and pristine if possible, just like their original state. I'll do the tag ASAP bro, it's feels good to be tagged again after a long, long while.
To jayred: Oh, now that could be an alarming sign or symptom of greenhouse gasses that causes global warming. I bet humanity today must make that important step to curb these negative climate changes before it's too late.
To Toe: In my case, I am a bit amazed about Pinoys being top in terms of gaining information thru Internet--like global warming for example---for all the while, we are just merely a third world country and access to Internet is not yet as convenient as in other countries. But we did topped the survey, and that's really nice.
To abaniko: Maybe in time I hope our awareness will result to action and workable schemes. But with present kind of administrators we have, always politicking and gimmicking, issues like climate changes becomes too isolated, if at all.
To ipanema: It is exactly that these two countries have not cooperated in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and due to this, it becomes that the protocol becomes insignificant for how can industrial emissions be reduced significantly if the country that emits the largest amount of fumes does not come into the equation. It is just unreasonable for US President Bush to be so adamant about this and continue to protect the interest of industrialists there. I bet if the Democrats win in next year's presidential election there, with Al Gore being a staunch activist for environmental progress, things might change for the better.
I am so glad to be in participation in this kind of endeavor because it's one way for bloggers to have a remarkable conference and interaction, at least once a year, and also it becomes a manner of discovering other blogs out there that's worth noting and patronizing.
To howling: Doing our own part, even in little ways is a great thing to do. I had once blogged about how people in America are slowly becoming more environmentally aware by applying changes in their daily lives, like using low power consuming light bulbs, recycling garbages and not using products with harmful chemicals on them. If only those money that's been funding the info-campaign have also been used in spreading the need to do our own part in the campaign against the harmful effect of greenhouse gasses, then it would have been more fruitful.
Comment by Major Tom — March 10, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
That's very startling news. Perhaps because Pinas is getting too hot?
I know for sure that Pinoys are a little more advanced with the Internet because it is a hot technology and we embrance technology readily more than anyone else.
Folks here in Canada are probably impervious to global warming because frankly, this place needs heat more than anything
The winters are just too cold hehe 
Comment by bw — March 11, 2007 @ 1:19 am
To BW: Makes me think that maybe climate change is actually a done deal long before we knew bout its symptoms, like it was meant to be happening. Earth had gone thru a lot of climate changes already for eons of years---the ice age for example; and that maybe we can't stop it anymore if the Earth's cycle would deem it that it'll be warmer a hundred years from now and hence, countries like Canada would have more spring than winter. However, it becomes alarming if right now, the weather in countries like the Philippines is hot already, it may get even hotter a century from now, and makes living here undesirable.
Comment by Major Tom — March 12, 2007 @ 5:21 am
Can you believe that when I asked my friend in the States about her opinion regarding Barack Obama she was like "who's that?"
They know about the latest bottled water Bling H2O but they don't know their presidential candidates lolz or anything that is really worth knowing
At least I know Obama...thanks to you because I first learned about him when I read your post. I don't know much about Global Warming but if I'll be asked about the topic I know I can say something about it.
Comment by verns — March 12, 2007 @ 2:34 pm