Ecosave Philippines Outreach 2025

Written by: Hyunseok Elliott Lee

Last week, our Ecosave members took part in our annual outreach trip to the Philippines. We took time to travel to several towns in Manila and the surrounding areas, interacting with the children and residents of each area, some of whom we were seeing for the first time.

Upon our arrival, we first travelled to the area of Tondo, one of the districts of Manila. While Tondo is the most populated of the Manila districts, boasting a population of 650,000, it also holds some of the most impoverished sights within the entire country. Often referred to as the biggest slum in the country, Tondo suffers dire conditions, with the staggering majority of its residents suffering from severe poverty. The area is also subject to extreme crime rates and lack of basic services such as sanitation and electricity.

However, although the area was portrayed as rather miserable and harsh, the people were extremely welcoming and warm, making our visit much more interesting and comfortable. We were able to talk to a shop owner and volunteer for OpenHands’ birth certificate initiatives, who navigated us through daily life in her area. We were informed that most of Tondo was recently devastated by a large fire last November, which cut out access to electricity. We were enamored by her optimism and continuous efforts to care for others, even in the face of such extreme adversity. We initially came to Tondo to get a scope of the conditions in the area, but our talks with her, as well as our overall experience there, has inspired us to come back to provide direct aid to the children there sooner or later.

That same day, we also travelled down south to a town called Cavite City. Cavite, a seaside town, has a distinct area of stilt houses built on top of the coasts and seas. This area has also often been viewed as an impoverished area with the structures being built very dangerously and unmonitored. The visit, though brief, gave us a glimpse of the different types of slum housing in the country, and also allowed us to investigate the arising problems unique to those specific areas. We learned of the dangers around the geographical challenges that the area faced, such as children falling under the cracks of the stilt houses and drowning, as well as houses collapsing. It was still refreshing, however, to interact with groups of children who had come out to greet us. A similar sense of optimism echoed between the children of Cavite and the people from Tondo, which came to us as a beautiful representation of the strength that keeps us going, but also a call for help, help that we could perhaps rise up to provide.

We spent the last day visiting Tanza 1, an area that our current members had become quite familiar with. We visited the “Little Hands Daycare Center” and decided to hold a unique education activity for them: a lesson on dental care and brushing teeth. We prepared a couple of sets of plastic teeth and brushes for the children to try for themselves, and went through a thorough explanation process, with the assistance of our OpenHands volunteers, who served as translators of sorts throughout.

After that, we had time to bond with everybody, with some of us reuniting with kids we saw on previous visits. We made sure to take photos with our instant film cameras, which has become a tradition of sorts now. We concluded our visit with giving away meals that we had prepared from Jolibees, which has always been widely popular with both kids and parents.

 Once again, we made sure no one left without anything in their hands. As we can only reach the Philippines for limited amounts of time every year, we always make it our mission to maximize our work when we’re actually around. Hopefully, the optimism that fuels the lives of the people we help every day can be passed onto us and our efforts to support them. 

Vanishing clouds believed to be the cause of the hottest year yet

Written by Rebekah Hyuna Lee

Over the past two years, global temperatures have soared far above scientists’ expectations, and by summer, 2024 was headed to surpass 2023, the hottest year on record. 

Scientists found that even after considering the anticipated effects of greenhouse gases and El Niño, a small portion of warming observed in 2023 remained unexplained.

 

A recent study that cloud has decreased over the past two years provides an explanation for the additional warming. Less cloud coverage results in less sunlight being reflected back to space, allowing more to reach Earth’s surface.

The study proposes three possible reasons for the fewer clouds, based on analyses of climate models and NASA satellite data that measure Earth’s reflectivity. 

 

The first possibility suggests a temporary deviation of a natural process, causing fewer clouds to form. 

 

The second possibility points to decreased atmospheric pollution of sulfur  as a result of limits imposed in 2020 on the sulfur content permitted in maritime fuels as having an inadvertent effect on the formation of clouds.

 

The third possibility suggests unknown feedback loops in the climate system that could lead to a decrease in clouds due to global warming.

 

Uncertainty surrounds whether these increases are temporary or long-term, with 2023 temperatures already 2.12°F higher than the 20th-century average. Despite efforts to decrease emissions, global temperatures are on course to surpass the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/climate-change/why-hot-high-temperatures-cloud-cover-decreased-rcna182937

BUGHOUSE APPLICATION

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

Our dedication to promoting edible insects as food for the future has been ongoing since the beginning of EcoSave. During the process, we felt that creating an application that collected and provided data related to edible insects such as YouTube videos, restaurants, products, etc would be helpful to achieve that goal. 

The application is organized by categories so that people can easily search for the information that they are seeking. We have listed edible insects that are popular and common for people to try. In addition, we have a category for recipes that are very easy to make using edible insects as an ingredient. Also, there is a category for restaurants and YouTube channels related to edible insects. 

We are regularly updating articles regarding edible insects so that people interested can see them at a glance. In addition, we made the platform available on the web, androids, and mobile devices other than the iPhone. 

Check out the application here: https://apps.apple.com/app/bughouse-edible-insects/id1639084875

Below is a thorough overview of the application:

Promoting Insect Appreciation with Black Soldier Fly Stickers

Promoting Insect Appreciation with Black Soldier Fly Stickers

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

EcoSave recently launched a unique initiative aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for insects, specifically Black Soldier Flies (BSF). Specifically, we packaged and distributed BSF-themed stickers to ten children’s libraries across South Korea, to reshape the public perception of insects and promote environmental awareness.

Insects are often misunderstood and even seen as unappealing or unpleasant. However, our mission was to highlight the environmental benefits of BSF, including their role in composting and waste reduction. These insects can break down organic waste efficiently, making them essential to addressing issues of food waste and soil health.

The sticker campaign, designed to be both fun and educational, featured playful illustrations of BSF, each accompanied by common phrases used in texts. The hope was that children would begin to see insects as essential players in environmental conservation rather than pests to be avoided.

By sending these stickers to ten children's libraries across South Korea, EcoSave aimed to reach children at an early age, helping them develop a respect for all creatures. Additionally, the initiative emphasized the importance of considering waste management strategies to combat climate change. This campaign is one of many innovative approaches we use to inspire communities to rethink their relationship with the natural world. By transforming how people, especially children, perceive insects, we hope to contribute to a future where biodiversity is cherished and sustainability is a priority.

Little Hands Learning Center

Little Hands

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

Last spring, EcoSave members traveled to Tanza 1, a remote village in the Philippines, to meet and interact with the children and families living there. EcoSave initiated Little Hands, a daycare center, for these children, and has been sponsoring it ever since. This center provides education but mainly serves as their communal home for children to bond as one family.  

This past summer, these children received an opportunity to have a field trip to downtown Antipolo City. They could experience things they had never seen before: playgrounds, arcades, shopping malls, etc. Supervisors, chaperones, and teachers of the daycare center described the event as life-changing. The children started to have "self-confidence", "[socialized] with each other through various activities", and "learned to listen and give to others." 

One teacher of Little Hands claims that her goal as an educator is to "explore every potential of the students, cultivate them in things they can't do, give them the right and appropriate knowledge, and teach them the good Word of God." Empowered by this disposition, teachers and volunteers strive to help these children daily. By promoting academic and biblical lessons, these teachers hope that the children of Tanza 1 can live a satisfying life. Despite the harsh living conditions, the children are optimistic, verifying how even little acts of service can influence the lives of these children. 

As EcoSave, along with myriad other volunteers, continues to support and nurture Little Hands, the impact of their work extends beyond just education. The field trip to Antipolo City was a glimpse of what these children could achieve with the right opportunities and guidance. The joy, confidence, and sense of community they experienced during this trip have sown seeds of hope and ambition in their young hearts.

Looking ahead, EcoSave is committed to organizing more activities and initiatives that will broaden the lives of these children. We envision a future where children like those of Tanza 1 not only survive but thrive, becoming well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to their community. The work is far from over, but with continued dedication and support, there is a promising path ahead.

 Hail to the Soldier Fly: A Military-grade Breakthrough In Composting

Written by: Hyunseok Elliott Lee

    

    They may look as intimidating as any other bug does to the average human, but like all other insects, the soldier fly is capable of serving a beyond wonderful purpose in this world, perhaps one that may prove to be among the most beneficial to our Earth. 

    The black soldier fly, which resembles a sort of black wasp, originates from South America, but now generally exists along all continents. Only discovered in the early 20th century, the soldier fly was once seen as just another sub-species of insect, but further research proved they had a sort of power unique to themselves. In the 1950s, researchers discovered that the BSFs' larvae could decompose organic matter and green materials. Further research was done to ensure a process could be formulated, and from the 90s, official tests went underway, which further proved that soldier flies could be a potential new weapon for handling waste management, as the larvae were seen to significantly reduce organic waste volumes and convert it into valuable protein and fat, which could be used as animal feed. 

    The soldier fly stands out because of the contents which it breaks down, especially green matter with high nitrogen content. BSF composting is different from standard composting because you can include more processed materials and animal products, such as prepared food, produce, livestock manure, plant waste, and spent coffee grounds. Thus, it is now practiced widespread globally, with many international corporations also taking on the tactic. Encouragement is made for it to be practiced on an individual level as well, as it has proven to easily be possible according to the article below (Forestry.com). 

    The future of BSF composting is nothing but bright, as preparations are being made for it to be implemented on a governmental, or nationwide level. Though it won't be yet capable of making a major global impact this early from its inception, the BSF compost method is one that we can hope to develop into an influential one that may leave a large imprint, and be utilized to inspire more widespread methods as well. 

Forestry article: https://forestry.com/guides/how-to-create-your-own-black-soldier-fly-larvae-composting-bin-a-diy-guide/

Other incorporated articles:

https://www.undp.org/india/stories/hail-black-soldier-fly-turning-waste-animal-feed

https://directcompostsolutions.com/composting-with-black-soldier-flies/#:~:text=Composting%20with%20Black%20Soldier%20Flies%20produces%20leachate%20which%20seeps%20out,nutrients%20available%20for%20your%20plants.

Post written by Hyunseok Elliott Lee

Air Pollution and Public Health

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

Air pollution emerged as a significant concern for public health in recent years. As urbanization and industrialization continue to increase, polluted air is a part of society, harmfully affecting the well-being of people around the world. 

Air pollution contains harmful pollutants primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, vehicular exhaust, and industrial emissions. Specifically, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide are some of the toxic substances that permeate the air. These pollutants not only spoil the atmosphere of society but also pose a significant threat to respiratory and cardiovascular health.

According to the World Health Organization, around 2.4 billion people are adversely affected by air pollution every year. Additionally, there are around 7 million premature deaths annually caused by ambient and household air pollution. 

As mentioned before, these deaths concern respiratory and cardiovascular health. Particulate matter can easily penetrate the respiratory system of an individual, causing inflammation and worsening pre-existing conditions such as asthma. Prolonged exposure to these molecules can lead to irreversible lung damage, leading to these numbers of deaths. Beyond respiratory concerns, air pollution has a profound impact on cardiovascular health. Long-term exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and ozone leads to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, these particles can infiltrate the bloodstream, causing inflammation and harmful effects on blood vessels. 

The World Health Organization recognizes the urgency of the situation and they make efforts that mitigate the impact of air pollution on public health. For example, they bring awareness to transitioning to cleaner energy sources, promoting sustainable transportation, and implementing strict environmental regulations that are crucial steps in establishing a balance between the air and health.

All in all, air pollution is a public health challenge that demands immediate global attention. Recognizing the adverse consequences can bring awareness to the importance of prioritizing clean air initiatives, especially for the well-being of vulnerable individuals and future generations.