The State of Philippine Education

I was saddened with the state of the Philippine schools, especially the one featured in this Sine Totoo episode. First because the children of Masbate start their daily 7 kilometer, 3-hour walk to school at 3 in the morning. And when they do get to school, they are hungry and tired but brave dilapidated classrooms, with tattered blackboards, no electricity, school buildings that are about to collapse (if there is a school building to speak of), a lack of desks and chairs, books, and supplies for an average of 120 students in a classroom, the Philippines ranks 41 out of 45 in Asian countries in Math and Science.


Check out the video HERE.

Wouldn't it be great to raise funds and build a small classroom per village?

!0 Clean Ways to Power the 21st Century

According to Ken Thar of Live Science, scientists are racing to perfect greener sources of energy to improve the environment and reduce dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. Some predict a hydrogen economy. Others say solar is the way to go. Wilder schemes involve sky-high wind turbines or antimatter engines. LiveScience explores the expectations, myths and realities of 10 top possibilities: solar, wind, coal, biomass (energy stored in organic matter), hydro-electricity, ocean thermal energy conversion, nuclear, hydrogen and oxygen fuel cells, and the controversial anti-matter energy.

Antimatter is the Bizarro twin of matter, made up of antiparticles that have the same mass as ordinary matter but with opposite atomic properties known as spin and charge. When the opposed particles meet, they annihilate each other and release tremendous amounts of energy as dictated by Einstein's famous equation, E=mc2.

Check them out at Power of the Future.

E-bikes

Here are some e-bike models I came across this week:

EZip Trailz Steel Women's Electric Bicycle reaches a top speed of 15 MPH and has up to 25 mile range with normal pedaling! For ages 13 and up, not to exceed 240 lbs. Clean, Green No Gasoline. Battery is included. $399.99


Dubbed the bionic bike, the Charger, like all ebikes, allows you to ride uphill, without having to be an olympic athlete. Sale price $799.


Canadian Entrepreneur, Peter Sandler, President of Therapy Products and Inventor of the E-V Sunny Bicycle developed the first all Solar electric bicycle driven completely from power derived from the Sun’s Rays.

The E-V Sunny Bicycle has light absorbing Solar panels built right into the Wheels, creating continual power from the Sun’s Rays, and maintaining a constant charge to the batteries. The bike is propelled by a 500 watt front hub motor.

The variable speed electronic controller drives the bike to speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour. Overall weight of the bicycle is 75 lbs. and comes with 17 amp hr. batteries and a built in battery charger.

Cost of the E-V Sunny Bicycle is $1295.00 and comes with a 90-day warrantee. The cost of the kit starts at $795.00, includes after sales service.

E-bikes, on the average, run 30% faster than a manual bike, with less effort. Plugging in a standard electric bicycle consumes will allow the bike to charge up to an average of about 9 amp-hours, or 216 watt-hours while consuming less than a dime's worth of electricity. This electricity, even if generated from a coal fired plant, would produce less carbon dioxide than a car would just starting up.

My E-Bike Dream

I have been obsessed with getting an electric bike lately. With the high gas prices, it is the best way to start disentangling myself from the fuel addiction. I wish to use the bike as a means of transport. But at this stage, I will need some help as I don't want to appear at work as a sweat ball. The e-bike will help me through the hills and back--a moderate work-out. It's like climbing an upward escalator, or walking on a walk-a-lator.

How wonderful if there were no cars, just e-bikes.

Well, here's a video of my e-bike dream come true. In my heaven, there will be e-bikes!


Watch it here.

Planet Green

It is so exciting to realize that the our planet is shifting--in consciousness, that is. What used to be an excessive lifestyle is now old-fashioned. Measuring our carbon footprint has become a matter of responsibility and so modern. The smaller the impact we make on the earth in terms of waste and consumption, the smaller the footprint. Living simply is making a comeback and tilting the scales in terms of lifestyle.

And I say, yey!

The Discovery Channel has even devoted a whole new series to this emerging consciousness. Check out Planet Green--promoting a green lifestyle that respects our planet. From fashion and beauty tips that encourage less packaging waste to why we should wear garments made from organic cotton, green renovation, eco-friendly bars and restos-this channel is a refreshing venue for all those who wish to do something small and yet, make a difference.

I was so happy that our third-word practice of using a rag, instead of paper towels to wipe off spills, saves billions in landfill space.

With shows like Alter Eco, Stuff Happens, and Wasted, revel in all the information you need to live responsibly.