Zoo Facts

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Wind as an Alternative Source of Energy

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Me, Myself & I and Global Warming

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

The Sundarbans, Bangladesh

June 8, 2008-June 14, 2008

The Sundarbans is a mangrove forest found at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. Together with the neighboring Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal, India, it is the largest single block of tidal mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans’ area is approximately 6,000 square kilometers. It is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and islets of saltwater mangrove forests.

Literally means “beautiful jungle” or “beautiful forest”, the Sundarbans is home to the renowned yet endangered royal Bengal tiger as well as to the threatened estuarine crocodile, spotted deer and Indian python. 260 bird species are also found living or migrating in the area which include the blue-eared kingfisher.

In 1997, the UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site of natural property.

Top 3 The Sundarbans Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Škocjan Caves, Slovenia

June 1, 2008-June 7, 2008

Škocjan Caves is a system of limestone caves found in the southwestern Slovenian region of Kras. Containing collapsed dolines, approximately 5 kilometers of underground passages, caves with a depth of more than 200 meters and several waterfalls, it is one of the infamous sites for studying the so-called karstic or limestone phenomena.

The Škocjan Caves region is of great archeological significance as well. It is said to have been inhabited by humans as early as more than ten thousand years ago (the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age). It was also one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Europe three thousand years ago, especially in the Mediterranean wherein, it was of important cult significance in connection with the afterlife and communication with the spirits of the ancestors.

Škocjan Caves is so far Slovenia’s only tourist destination that was inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list. It was included in 1986.

Top 3 Škocjan Caves Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Cities: The Most Polluted, The Cleanest, The Greenest

May 25, 2008-May 31, 2008

This post is 2 days delayed...:)

Linfen (临汾), a prefecture-level city in Shanxi province, China is asserted as the most polluted city in the world. This assertion was based on a study conducted by the Blacksmith Institute, an NYC based organization supporting pollution-related environmental projects. The said study states that Linfen’s atmosphere contains very large accumulations of coal dust and other particulates coming from automobile and industrial emissions. About 3,000,000 people are potentially affected by this pollution.

The world’s cleanest city, according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, is Calgary. Found in the province of Alberta in Canada, Calgary was ranked #1 (among the other 215 candidate cities) based on the following criteria:

• Quality and availability of hospital and medical supplies
• Levels of air pollution and infectious diseases
• Efficiency of waste removal and sewage systems
• Water potability
• Presence of harmful animals and insects

Reykjavík, the capital and largest city in Iceland is deemed as the world’s greenest city. It was chosen as such based on the impressive strides it has undertaken towards eco-friendliness and the aid it extended to millions of its residents to live better and have greener lives. Reykjavík was followed by the city of Portland in Oregon and the Brazilian city of Curitiba.

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Shark Bay, Australia

May 25, 2008-May 31, 2008

Shark Bay is found on the westernmost point of the Australian continent. It is an approximately 10,000-square kilometer bay, about 800 kilometers north of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Shark Bay is divided by shallow banks and consists of several islets and peninsulas. Its coastline extends to a length of 1,500 kilometers. Its average depth is 10 meters.

Shark Bay is well-known for its huge area (about 4,000 square kilometers) of sea grass meadows which, is the largest in the world. It houses twelve species of sea grasses—the largest number of such a species ever recorded in one place.

Because of the existence of these marine plants, sea mammals such as dolphins and dugongs (sea cows) treat the bay as their habitat. Other than them, animals such as 323 fish species, 230 bird species, 150 reptile species and 26 threatened Australian mammal species also inhabit the bay.

Layered accretionary structures called stromatolites are then abundant on the shallow waters of Hamelin Pool, in the southern part of the bay. Stromatolites are formed by the trapping, binding and cementation of sedimentary grains by biofilms of microbes. The ones that are found on the bay are believed to be over 3,000 years of age.

Having a great zoological and botanical significance, the UNESCO listed Shark Bay as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

Top 3 Shark Bay Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Península Valdés, Argentina

May 18, 2008-May 24, 2008

Península Valdés is a natural reserve of great global significance found along the South Atlantic Coast in the province of Chubut, Argentina. It stretches an area of 3,625 square kilometers.

Most lands of the peninsula are barren and not suitable for agricultural activities. These lands then consist of some salt lakes with elevations that reach down to 40 meters below sea level.

Terrestrial animals such as guanacos, rheas and maras reside in the interior part of the peninsula; whereas southern sea lions, southern elephant seals and fur seals thrive in the coastline area. 181 species of birds are also found in Península Valdés, 66 of which are migratory which includes the Antarctic pigeon.

The surrounding body of seawater on the peninsula is home to the endangered southern right whales. For the water is much warmer and calmer, these whales come there between May and December to mate and give birth. Orcas or killer whales are also found off the coast. These whales have developed a distinctive hunting strategy to adapt to local coastal conditions. This strategy involves beaching themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals.

In 1999, Península Valdés was inscribed by the UNESCO as one of Argentina’s eight (so far) World Heritage Sites.

Top 3 Península Valdés Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Lake Letas, Vanuatu

May 11, 2008-May 17, 2007

Lake Letas is the largest freshwater lake in the island nation of Vanuatu, and in the Pacific as well. Found at the crater of the volcanic island of Gaua, this U-shaped lake covers an area of about 19 square kilometers and obtains a depth of 350 meters. In addition, it has an elevation of 600 meters above sea level.

The greenish water of Lake Letas is not stagnant. It continuously flows over a waterfall (particularly, the Siri Waterfall) and cascades found on the eastern side of the lake. These natural overflows are connected to a three-kilometer short river leading to the sea.

Lake Letas has swampy vegetation. Certain types of flora such as the swamp palm thrive in the area. The lake then is home to various species of prawns, eels and fishes. Rare bird species such as the green palm lorikeet and the royal parrot finch also exist there. On the other hand, the small island within the lake is nationally recognized as a nesting site for waterfowl.

For the native populace of Gaua, Lake Letas is a cultural monument that hosts ancestral forms of wealth. It is kept and respected and still contains a number of traditional forbidden sites.

Lake Letas was submitted by the government of Vanuatu to become a candidate in the new list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Top 3 Lake Letas Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

Mount Matutum (Matutum Volcano), Philippines

May 4, 2008-May 10, 2008

Mount Matutum or Matutum Volcano is VJ Czar World’s very first Natural Wonder of the Week entry. It is found on Mindanao Island in southern Philippines; 15 kilometers north of Polomolok, South Cotabato and approximately 30 kilometers north-northwest of General Santos City. This volcano is the second highest on the island, just behind Mount Apo which is the Philippines’ highest peak.

Mount Matutum has an elevation of 2,286 meters or about 7,600 feet. It is a composite volcano for it is described as a tall, conical volcano consisting of layers of hardened lava, tephra and volcanic ash. It is one of the 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines, similar to Mount Mayon and Mount Pinatubo. Matutum’s last recorded eruption was on March 7, 1911.

It is currently a candidate for the new set of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Top 3 Mount Matutum Snapshots

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

YouTube Changes Logo for Just a While

YouTube, the most popular video sharing website in the world has just changed its logo for a short span of time. From a simple red, black and white colored logo, it has turned into a cooler one, dominated by green and blue hues.

On the new YouTube logo, the word "You" is still black but now, modified with a little azure glow. The word "Tube" on the other hand is still white but is a bit transparent. Its usual red background is changed into a background bearing the image of the Earth. How environmental, I may say... Moreover, the new logo still retains YouTube's trademark "Broadcast Yourself".

The logo alteration maybe because of a certain important occasion which YouTube strongly supports.

I've done my research a while ago and found out that there is indeed a celebration in April which I think, might be the cause of this logo alteration. Every 22^nd of April, most of the countries around the world are celebrating the Earth Day. The Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment.

Noting that the new logo has a picture of the Earth on it, the Earth Day event may be a very possible reason for the YouTube team to do such a move.

Additionally, I've also discovered that Google, Inc., the owner of YouTube has been an active promoter of climate change awareness as well as global public health and global poverty. See? Now, it's quite clear to figure out.

Personally, I do prefer the new logo more than the old one. I think it's more "alive" and more fascinating. But whether its temporary or not, I still don't give a huge care about it. Discussing Youtube's streaming videos are more interesting than discussing its logo. Agree?

By the way...HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?

"Mother Earth, I Love You": A Tribute to the Earth and A Final Requirement As Well

Here's my work for the fulfillment of our group's final requirement in GNAS1 (Modern Biology) and GNAS3 (Earth Science). I made this for one night only and I'm so proud that I finished it in just a short span of time.

You may sing it if you know Destiny's Child's single "Brown Eyes" from their album "Survivor".

MOTHER EARTH, I LOVE YOU

Remember the first day when my mom bore me
Remember the first day when you first saw me
You welcomed me and you took care of me
You let me grow up and you gave me life

Remember the first day when you showed what you got
Remember the first day when I said "you're hot"
Got nonliving stuffs, as well as living stuffs
You're so perfect and you've got a lot

Your precious creatures, big and small
Your lands and seas and atmosphere
It felt so good that you are here
I thank you for the life you've given me

I love you Mother Earth 'cause you love me too
I love you Mother Earth 'cause your caring shows
You provided me with things I really need
I swear I'll take good care of you 'cause I

I love you Mother Earth 'cause your precious
I love you Mother Earth, 'cause your generous
Even though we tend to be so cruel to you
You still are capable

Oh Mother Earth, I love you

Remember all the days of catastrophes
Remember all the days of uncertainty
People tend to put all of the blame on you
Didn't know they should be blamed too

Remember all these days of your suffering
From burning to polluting to this global warming
I'm really sorry for you're feeling those things
We never gave back what you've given

You're losing your resources now
Your beauty's quickly fading now
But don't you lose hope, don't get down
We need you and we will do what we can

I love you Mother Earth 'cause you love me too
I love you Mother Earth 'cause your caring shows
You provided me with things I really need
I swear I'll take good care of you 'cause I

I love you Mother Earth 'cause your precious
I love you Mother Earth, 'cause your generous
Even though we tend to be so cruel to you
You still are capable

Oh Mother Earth, I love you

I will help you
I'll never let you die, and you must help too
I can never do this thing without you
We have to work as one so it'll come true

Whoa, I love you

I love you Mother Earth 'cause you love me too
I love you Mother Earth 'cause your caring shows
You provided me with things I really need
I swear I'll take good care of you 'cause I

I love you Mother Earth 'cause your precious
I love you Mother Earth, 'cause your generous
Even though we tend to be so cruel to you
You still are capable

Oh Mother Earth, I love you

You’re capable
Oh Mother Earth, I love you

Wonder why this is our final requirement? Well, let me explain it to you. Professor Arnel Francis "Bryan" Morales, our dear professor in both GNAS1 and GNAS2 decided not to follow the traditional written exam as a way of evaluating students. He's always like that and I love it. He's an innovator!

Now, to continue...Bryan 先生 believes in the Theory of Multiple Intelligences of Howard Gardner. He believes that each individual manifests varying levels of intelligences and that, each person has a unique "cognitive profile". Because of that, he decided to divide our class into seven groups. Each group will represent a particular intelligence. It's either on of the following:

• Logical-Mathematical intelligence

• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

• Interpersonal Intelligence

• Intrapersonal Intelligence

• Musical/Rhythmical Intelligence

• Spatial Intelligence

• Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

Since, I am interested in music and I think I am capable of writing songs, I chose to become a part of the Musical/Rhythmical Intelligence group. I was the leader then and so, I had the power to name my group as M.R.I. (Musical/Rhythmical Intellectuals).

See how genius our prof is??? :)

By the way, I also wrote another song other than this. Catch it later!

Make sure to leave a comment, ok?