Metro students battle carbon emissions

To highlight this year’s theme: “Earth day everyday, everywhere for everyone,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. (EDNPI) kicked off Monday a different kind of competition among Metro Manila high schools and colleges.

Celebrating Earth Day at the Quezon Memorial Circle, the Mini(mize) Carbon Olympics was launched to pit students of 47 secondary and tertiary private and public schools against pollution.

“If they would be competing against each other, it would only be for bragging rights,” EDNPI executive director Voltaire Alferez told the Inquirer.

He said the olympics would tap schools in Metro Manila, the pilot area, to educate them in ways to reduce carbon emission through energy-saving measures and efficient solid waste management.

“They (schools) would basically be competing with themselves on improving their existing environmentally sound practices as a way of addressing climate change,” he said, adding that during the activity, the schools would be taught how to “audit” greenhouse gas emissions and their energy consumption.

EDNPI project officer Reida Quijano said that out of 47 schools selected for the olympics, 32 are high schools and 15 are colleges and universities.

Quijano added that the best practices in carbon emission reduction would be showcased and likely adapted in schools with no existing programs.