This is a written account of my Geog100 (Physical Geography) class under Trina Listanco, at the University of the Philippines…
Ms. Trina Listanco, Land and Water Resources Engineering graduate of the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, an assistant professor at the university's Department of Geography in the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (KAPP), handled this class.
This part is to discuss some very important lessons in Physical Geography, specifically, the effects of climate change to our landscapes.
A watershed is the intricate system of which water is present from up the very main source back down to everything else. A watershed may also be defined as the source-to-distribution relationship of water in nature. This very same principle can be used in the term “foodshed” – where instead of water, it is the system of food. As we all know, our food goes through many processes – all of which are under the foodshed. Therefore, the foodshed is a vast distribution and consumption web from the fresh sources – farmland, forests, lakes, to the consumption spaces – restaurants, homes etc.
Since one of the most apparent effects of global warming is the rising temperature, it could dry lakes and other land-locked bodies of water which are parts of river systems. If these bodies of water would dry up, it will affect all the living things dependent on it as a water source.
Another effect of global warming could be the reverse of the first. Water levels in many rivers may rise due to the melting ice caps. Those rivers that flow through or from ice caps and/or glaciers will have to face threats like flooding and more erosion.
Solifluction, a regular process that is dependent on freezing and melting, may be disrupted. Given this, river systems may experience a continuous melting process due to higher temperatures. Although this occurs in glacial environments, the sudden pause of solifluction may cause damages to other rivers that are connected – it could change its silt composition and affect ecological systems.
Soil formation is a long process composed of many smaller processes. Firstly, since soil come from rocks and minerals, the very first process that it undergoes is weathering. This process involves larger rocks and minerals becoming smaller pieces, and from that, even smaller ones. These surface rocks and minerals form a thin layer of “young” soil. The next process involves living things. When plants and animals die and decompose, they become one with the soil – making it rich, fertile and thick. Now we have soil. But it’s not that simple, it takes time because exposure to elements like ecosystems, temperature, water and the like take effect in long terms.
Soil, as we now know, is fertile and took a very long time for it to become what it is. But what if the elements that contribute to its formation have to become different this time? This is what scientists believe to take effect in the occurring climate change. With climate change, weather disturbances will be pushed to the limit, lives and life systems will be forced to move and adapt, and natural properties like temperature, humidity, and water levels will have to change as well. Facing this would force the soil formation and all its other processes to change in very uncertain ways. Some of the predicted effects are; speeding up of the soil erosion process, fertilization of soil may take longer, and properties of soil may change altogether.
These and many more discussions are highly valuable lessons throughout the Geog100 course.
But who say's Physical Geography only talks about the physical properties that surround life? Insoar as teachings in this class are concerned, it was a pleasure to have learned these things and much more.
When we were talking about river systems, the patterns and structural properties of rivers caught my attention, (well besides the fact that I found “no river is straight” funny) and it suddenly became my favorite Geog100 topic. The patterns of rivers are dendritic. And this pattern doesn’t only apply to rivers; it also occurs all over nature – in veins, branches, snowflakes, roots, etc. That kind of pattern does not even have to stop there. I thought what if this very natural pattern is incorporated into life? One life starts out so small but all of that person’s good deeds, knowledge, love, will branch out to a much larger realm, and into a much deeper meaning.
Like a tree branching out wildly yet naturally out into the vast sky, like the roots seeping through the fertile and rich soil, LIFE branches out its goodness to others and others’ lives as well, explores roots of its rich history and origins, and much more importantly, constantly and naturally GROWING into something more brilliant, more meaningful, more influential, continuously LEARNING from the past as one becomes a more intricate being, nevertheless honest, humble, and honorable enough to recognize where it came from – small but full of natural potentials.
This is how I plan to live my life.
Anyone who’s been in class for Geog100 would be familiar to the term “meander”, which I and my friend yet again found funny by the way. However, I’m not referring to that kind of meaning of meander here, rather, something that is career-related. I remember in one of Jennifer Lopez’s recent movies, she was asked what “Career” meant and she said “it takes away everything else in your life.” I would disagree. I believe that career should be taken seriously but not that seriously. Every once in a while, one should always give him/herself the rest he/she deserves. On that path to success, one should remember to “meander” every once in a while. But meandering does not necessarily mean that it won’t get you to the place that you’ve hoped and worked for.
And this is how I plan to go with my career.
The classes under Listanco may have ended, but our day-to-day experiences now revolve around our life in a new perspective, a deeper understanding of things.
Our promising instructor will, without a doubt inspire many others. Her efforts are patriotic for reasons she and her students may come to know. This nation and the rest of the world needs more teachers like her, to inspire students like me.
Adios to the Geog100 classes, but not the things we learned
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) urges to implement a new technology on the streets – the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). This project aims to “revolutionize and speed up vehicle registration”, lessen “Kotong”, identify stolen cars easily and mitigate the air pollution caused by vehicles. The RFID chip is small, like a computer chip, and is being used in boutiques, schools and NLEX E-passes. It carries data at may be scanned conveniently by a reader that officials would hold. Thus, to fulfill the goals of LTO, millions of chips must be installed in all vehicles, from trucks to motorbikes, all over the country.
The initiative of the LTO to advance registration and traffic control methods to a better technology is commendable. Keeping up to date with new implementing technologies, especially when a country can afford it, is a proof that government offices are seeking remedies that are relevant and timely. But initiatives, hopes and aims are not the only things that matter in serving this country.
Motorists will have to pay Php350 upon registration of their vehicle, with a 10 year validity of the RFID chip. With six million (NEDA estimate) vehicles at present, and around 150,000 (NEDA estimates) newly registered vehicles yearly, the implementation of the new technology will surely affect the economy, and many, if not all, Filipinos. Given this, a careful scrutiny should take place before any decision comes at hand. The LTO has started the RFID scheme this October without the proper consultation and approval of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), which is chaired by President Gloria Arroyo.
“Whoever is implementing the project must be powerful enough to have the guts to bypass the President”
the former NEDA chief Ralph Recto comments.
A good analysis takes more than looking at what an institution sees to achieve, it also considers HOW the institution seeks to achieve it. For obvious reasons, such a smart idea should REALLY undergo analyses from other important authorities – for no matter how TECHNOLOGY or the means to organize and govern lives far advances the basic tools of the past, the due processes in governance never looses timeliness; just like the good old common sense.
well, I haven't really blogged for a long, long while. I don't think anyone's gonna read this so I might as well share anything I may think of. :)
It's 12:30 am and I'm sitting on a stool surfing the net...not so interesting huh? oh well that's life for me. at least that is life. For so many, what they would call 'life' has ended, or has lost meaning. By this I mean those who've badly experienced the wrath of the recent havoc of typhoon 'Ondoy'. for many of us though, 'life'...goes on...moves on...
but no one is forced to move on absolutely having to leave behind the entire past - as my former Philosophy mentor tattooed her arm, "everything changes but nothing is truly lost", but in Latin. For the ones who are lucky, those of us who have experienced just a bit of this tragic event, life has now instilled itself yet another moment to reminisce. one that took not just lives, but captured many others.
I bet most of the Filipinos who have the opportunity to lend a helping hand, cannot help but do so. I believe that whatever humanity Filipinos by nature have, whether instilled by religion, family discipline or national pride, there is still existent to this date. Seventeen years young, I was able to do a little simple something.
The nation may seem to have gone dry of good statesmen, but somewhere beyond justice halls, senate hearings, government buildings or even the constitution, there lies a good Filipino will.
VOLUNTEERISM may not be like heroism or martyrdom, but if a country had a lot, then it sure will make a damn great one.
