WHAT CAUSES TYPHOON ONDOY?

One of the most intriguing questions that has ever been brought up was "if we are suffering from Global Warming, why did Typhoon Ondoy happen?"

It seems to be a valid question, especially if global warming essentially paints a picture of drought in our minds. What is most important to understand is that global warming leads to extreme climate changes.

Climate change is a result of change in average temperature. Every degree of temperature increase leads to major changes in how our weather performs, changing rain patterns, annual rainfall, and others.

As the temperature gets hotter, the planet's natural cooling system is to evaporate as much water, which then falls  accordingly. Movement of water from the ocean to the sky, or even heat from the ground, creates wind force. When this wind force is strong enough, we have a typhoon.

When there is extraordinarily higher amount of heat, there is an expected larger volume of evaporation accordingly, which means, more rains.

While rains are good, a balanced amount of rain spread over a period of time ensures environmental sustainability.

What has occurred is an over increase of water evaporation, which has also increased wind pressure, thus, this has brought an amazing amount of rain in a very short span of time. This rain was so overwhelming that the entire metropolis could not handle the volume brought on.

And it is not only in the Philippines where the devastation of flood has come in. India, Pakistan, and many other countries have already presented major flooding brought by large rain volume on a short span of time. This was not anticipated, for the change in overall climate meant a redesign of how cities will have to flow.

If the climate gets even warmer, we will have to rethink our geography, and might have to look at a map in a completely new light in the future.

ALL ABOUT WATER

Several important factors has to be further considered now that the water crisis that is being discussed has become even more critical. The lack of regulations in many plumbing issues has made households and buildings inefficient with their water consumption, that becomes a major contributor in the current water crisis. A regular household with better awareness on efficient water systems and usage can easily save up to 70% on their water consumption. If there is a good awareness campaign, this will create a larger volume of savings for the entire Metro Manila accordingly.

One of the largest water consumers in residential situations are shower heads. Current shower heads in the Philippines consume 4.5 Gallons Per Minute. Using water efficient (not low flow) shower heads give the same water volume as low flow but with good pressure, therefore not sacrificing comfort. This can cut down 40% of water usage.

Checking houses for water leaks is just as important. Leak is water that is being completely wasted by inefficient joints or faucets. Check all joints for leaks, check the toilet bowl for leaks (which happens in the flapper most of the time), and most importantly, the faucets as well.

For commercial establishments, it is even more important now to focus on waterless urinal solutions. It is best to choose water less urinals that do not require replacing urinals. They then become more cost effective, and more environmental accordingly.

In the end, whatever we can do to help alleviate the water crisis will be to our own benefit as well.

A little trivia, for mothers, and laundry shop

While we do talk about how to make use of energy and water more efficiently, cleaning agents need to be looked upon as well. Cleaning agents such as detergents and similar may contain chemicals that are toxic to the environment.

Products using bleach or chlorine are some of the biggest environmental culprits. These products, when used, will have to be flushed out of the system to the environment. When it comes to the corresponding effect, it can be very devastating.

Other products that can damage the environment found in household cleaners are some strong solvents, muriatic acids, and others. Some of them are actually carcinogenic!

Therefore, it is imperative that a greener home uses green cleaning products as well. Try to look for plant based cleaners, or use some traditional cleaners from mother nature, as we have to consider our indoor home as an environment as well. What is bad for the environment, is bad for those inhabiting accordingly.

Plants are essential, so start planting at your backyard

Green roofs and a balanced greener surrounding is now ever more so necessary given the need to immediately offset and balance out carbon emissions and have a healthier production of oxygen in the environment. It was always pointed out that we should plant trees, but while this is valuable, its efficiency in immediately improving our own immediate environment is not as effective as having greenery right where we are.

There is a more immediate need to balance out humans to plants per square meter in urban areas. There are still opportunities to use roofs, balconies, and even windows for plants. Green roofs, which has gained great popularity in US and Europe, was able to present through its case studies that it has helped reduce the hot island effect, increase oxygen levels, and even bring back avian species to the city. There are many more advantages to bringing in window plants roof gardens, and balanced plant ratio in areas with no plants. Many other places do take advantage of this concept and actually come up with community gardens as well.

It is strange enough that while we are completely knowledgeable about the benefits of having plants, we ignore and go otherwise. If we can take this opportunity to green our urban surroundings, and many advocates would love to do so, we can create a greener change.