City in Crisis, Youngblood INQ

Got published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer at last... hahaha...

I don't know if I can repost it here so here's the link instead.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080506-134767/City_in_crisis

Volunteerism: A Path to Fulfillment

Volunteerism: A Path to Fulfillment

By Alexis Marian Africa

Volunteerism is widespread throughout the world. Countless people driven by altruism seek to take action in order to help those in need. Certainly, a simple smile from a deprived family or a sick kid wipes away the exhaustion a volunteer feels. However, in terms of environmental volunteerism, the pay-off is subtle to the eye. This is where genuine selflessness comes in. And the earth has a funny approach when it comes to rewards.

The organization of choice for this article is the GREENPEACE International. This is a non-profit organization that caters to the needs of mother earth by focusing on the “world’s most crucial threat to our planet’s biodiversity and environment”. Established in 1971, Greenpeace poses as earth’s voice and fights to stop climate change, protect ancient forests, save the oceans, stop whaling, say no to genetic engineering, stop the nuclear threat and so on.

Before I joined this organization, I pictured myself going to the field and doing the dirty but rewarding dirty work. With this thought, I couldn’t wait to start and save the world! However, in my first week of membership, I learned that I could do so much for the environment even in the comfort of my own home. That’s right! Thanks to technological advances in telecommunication, I could easily come to the rescue to an ancient forests miles and miles away!

That was in fact the first action I have accomplished. Through electronic mail, I was able to communicate to an international company my disgust on how they destroy nature for profit. The company in question is the Kimberly-Clark, the producer of Kleenex tissue. Because of unethical practices done by Kimberly-Clark, Greenpeace decided to mobilize concerned people in order to make the former understand the detriments of their production. The campaign aims to put a stop in the mindless flushing of ancient forests down the toilet.

Aside from being a cyber activist, there are a lot of other ways to assist Greenpeace to help the planet. First, you can make a donation in order to facilitate different activities. Second, you can be a field volunteer. They will train you to ensure you do the right job for the right thing. In addition, most of their employees started out as volunteers. Third, you can help spread the word (like what I’m pretty much doing) so that more and more people will get involved. Fourth, share your thoughts and ideas! They will surely listen to your concern. Lastly, if you really want to make volunteerism your vocation, work for them! There’s nothing more rewarding than doing something that makes a difference and having the job you love!

Don’t just take my word for it! Visit their site right now!

Greenpeace.org

happy meal!

Look at it, it's still happy to see me..

Is it happy because its purpose in life has been realized?or is it only 'I' who thinks that way?Justifying how this creature has made it way to my plate?

Is there really a Great Chain of Being as mentioned by an author named Pepper? Or is this really limited to the Christian faith?
If so, using this argument that we are superior to plants, animals, etc, it is but natural for us to consume them?
But then again, it will also mean that we are to serve as inferior beings fit for Seraphim, Cherubim, and angels's consumption.

And so as the anthrocentric beings that we are, we will scrap that belief.

As a result, we are now again left to ponder if it is morally right to eat other living beings.are we not also considered as predators just like our primitive brothers?

Or are we to argue that life really is 'survival of the fittest'? If so, why are we helping 'less fit' individuals? Is it because we unite and fight as a specie?Or is it because of our innate gift: altruism?it may be so, but then, why are we still cruel to each other?

Going back to our main corcern, should we continue eating our furry, four paws walking friends?

I say no! Be healthy, and live to 100yrs!
A century of pale, tasteless foods. A century of non-festive holidays and birthdays!
Hmmm, look! My pork steak is happy to see me.