# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://undp-biodiversity.exposure.co/the-sea-is-the-future
Title: The Sea is the Future

Author: UNDP Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Year Published: N/A
Key Info: Quirsito 'Bok' Cajegas, Before his reformation, Bok was a self-described illegal fisher. Now as chairman of the Bato-Tagaytay Reef Fish Sanctuary management council, and the elected Fisherfolks Regional Director of Davao Region, Bok knows that ocean health is key for this planet and its people to thrive.

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URL: https://urban-links.org/insight/turning-the-tide-on-ocean-plastic-pollution-in-the-philippines/

Title: Turning the Tide on Ocean Plastic Pollution in the Philippines

Year Published: 2020

Key Info: As part of CCBO’s efforts to identify global best practices and to implement and tailor local solutions to meet current, local challenges, the program will also tackle complications arising from COVID-19. Given that much personal protective equipment is plastic-based, it is crucial to ensure that municipalities and barangays in the Philippines have systems in place that allow communities to safely dispose of waste, recycle and repurpose plastic products to the greatest extent possible, and build more resilient waste systems that can quickly respond to natural disasters and public health events.

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URL:https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2021/06/25/194672/philippine-river-warriors-fight-tide-of-trash-for-cleaner-future/
Title: Philippine ‘river warriors’ fight tide of trash for cleaner future
Author: Adrian Portugal and Peter Blaza

Published: 2021
Key Info: Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world’s most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics. These “river warriors” are a decade-old group of about 100 people who work to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila’s notorious Pasig River.

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MANILA - Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics.

These "river warriors" are a decade-old group of about 100 people who work to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila's notorious Pasig River.

The 27 km (16.8 mile) river cutting through the Philippine capital was once a vital trade route. But urbanization and poor sewage planning have left the river all but dead.

"There's never a time without garbage here. It's unlimited," said Angelita Imperio, a river warrior for six years.

The warriors wear rubber boots and elbow-length gloves, using rakes and handmade tools to scoop rubbish from stagnant waters in different locations.

The warriors started off as volunteers but now receive a basic income from a local government and operate in small groups at different parts of the river.

Dexter Opiana, another river warrior with six years of service, says she and about 19 others work shifts of about seven hours and collect an average of 80 to 100 sacks a day, more during monsoon season.

Most of it is plastic wrappers, single-use sachets, and packaging materials. Since the pandemic began, surgical face masks are sometimes mixed in among the other floating garbage.

Pasig's trash isn't just a Philippine problem.

A 2021 report by Oxford University's Our World in Data estimated 81% of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers and the Philippines alone contributes a third of that total.

The Pasig River alone provides up to 6.43% of ocean plastic originating from rivers, the report said.
RELATED: Pasig river, other Philippine rivers among top plastic waste carriers in the world, says study
Despite the warriors' Sisyphean task, they are optimistic of better days ahead.

"This has been our advocacy, to have the river cleaned for the sake of our children, our parents, our nation and mother nature," Imperio said.

Joan Lagunda, assistant secretary at the environment department, said authorities were coordinating with local governments to establish proper waste segregation practices and want informal settlers on the riverbanks to be moved. Marian Ledesma, a campaigner with Greenpeace Philippines, said the government should reduce single-use plastics and strengthen law enforcement on waste disposal and sewage.

"I've seen it done in other cities, in other countries, so I don't think it's impossible to revive and clean up Pasig River," she said.

"It will need a collective action." -Reporting by Adrian Portugal Peter Blaza; Editing by Martin Petty and Tom Hogue

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Philippine 'river warriors' fight tide of trash for cleaner future

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
MANILA - Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world's most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics.

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URL: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/philippines-divers-clear-plastic-waste-corals-world-cleanup-day-2021-09-18/
Title: Philippines divers clear plastic waste from corals for World Cleanup Day

Author: Peter Blaza

Year Published: 2021
Key Info: About a dozen divers cleared rubbish from the reef and nearby beaches as they marked World Cleanup Day in Batangas province, a popular spot for snorkelling and diving south of the capital, Manila.

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MANILA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Divers in the Philippines pulled plastic bags, drinks bottles and fishing nets from a coral reef on Saturday, joining an annual cleanup that aims to highlight the impact of garbage on the world's oceans.

About a dozen divers cleared rubbish from the reef and nearby beaches as they marked World Cleanup Day in Batangas province, a popular spot for snorkelling and diving south of the capital, Manila.

"For every fishing line or net that you remove, you could actually prevent a turtle from dying or getting caught in it or eating a plastic bag," organiser Carmela Sevilla told Reuters, holding up a mesh bag full of garbage.

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands with nearly 36,300 km (22,555 miles) of coastline, is one of the world's most marine resource-rich countries.

But campaigners say its marine resources are threatened by the neglect of local authorities and lax implementation of environmental laws.

Another of the clean-up participants, Haley Osbourne, 35, a Canadian who has lived in the Philippines five years, said all divers should do their bit by picking up any rubbish they come across while underwater.

Most of the plastic trash blighting the world's oceans comes from rivers and coastlines.

Of the total, 81% percent is estimated to come from Asia, with a third of the Asian plastic originating in the Philippines, according to a 2021 report by Our World in Data, a scientific online publication.

World Cleanup Day is held annually on the third Saturday of September.

Reporting by Peter Blaza Writing by Neil Jerome Morales Editing by Helen Popper

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Philippines divers clear plastic waste from corals for World Cleanup Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
MANILA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Divers in the Philippines pulled plastic bags, drinks bottles and fishing nets from a coral reef on Saturday, joining an annual cleanup that aims to highlight the impact of garbage on the world's oceans.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--RFvlkiJU8
Title: Meet the Philippine ‘river warriors’ cleaning one of the world’s most polluted rivers

Author: N/A

Published: 2021
Key Info: Each morning, a group of Filipinos rakes up piles of trash on the banks of one of the world’s most polluted rivers, filling sacks in an endless pursuit to clean a waterway that is also a major source of ocean plastics. These “river warriors” are a decade-old group of about 100 people who work to clear the glut of garbage floating or washed up along Manila’s notorious Pasig River.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet the Philippine ‘river warriors’ cleaning one of the world’s most polluted rivers

# data[].attributes.body
URL:https://www.saltdominica.com/our-salty-passports/2019/8/22/what-every-diver-needs-to-know-about-project-aware-

Author: unknown
Year Published: 2019
Key Info: this data infographic shows us how we can help support marine life , fight back againts water pollution and global warming

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URL:https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.mongabay.com/2020/11/philippine-resort-owner-hit-with-environmental-charges-as-boracay-cleans-up/amp/
Title:
Philippine resort owner hit with environmental charges as Boracay cleans up
Author: Jun N. Aguirre
Date Published: 2020
Key Info: Owner of 2 resorts in Boracay has been charged for violating environmental laws. this shows that out country is committed to protecting the environment and willing to punish those who break the laws accordingly specially in a place like Boracay who just a few years ago were dedicated in cleaning the oceans to make Boracay clean again

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Philippine resort owner hit with environmental charges as Boracay cleans up

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AKLAN, Philippines - Authorities in the Philippines have arrested a resort owner on the island of Boracay for allegedly violating the country's forestry and marine resources management laws. The investigation is part of ongoing efforts to roll back decades of tourism-driven environmental degradation. Rizaldy Rivera, a special investigator with the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) [...]

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Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water (Researched by: Matthews Phoenix Payot)

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URL: https://blog.brightcities.city/sustainable-development-goal-14-life-below-water/
Title: Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water
Author: Bright Cities
Date Published: August 20, 2020
Key Info: Talking about these challenges has always been a vital pillar for constructing better cities for Bright Cities. It's no coincidence that the environment was included among the 10 urban areas studied by our platform to emphasize the need of sustainable policies for urban management.

Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water

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World Wildlife Day focuses on 'life below water' for first time (Researched by: Matthews Phoenix Payot)

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URL: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063721
Title: World Wildlife Day focuses on 'life below water' for first time
Author: Catherine Teves
Date Published: March 5, 2019
Key Info: The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of the Environment is urging all sectors to assist conserve wildlife across the country and safeguard it from illegal trade, environmental degradation, and other dangers.

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URL:https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/cleaning-most-polluted-river-in-world-philippines/

Title:

This Team is Cleaning one of the World's Most Polluted Rivers. Here's How

Author: Peter Balza, Adrian Portugal

Published: June 28 2021

Key Info: "River Warriors" are cleaning the Pasig River in Manila everyday as it is heavily polluted due to urbanization and poor planning.

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Meet the team trying to clear up one of the world's most polluted rivers

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Everyday a group of Filipinos come together to rake out plastic and rubbish, from one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Check how are they cleaning it.

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URL:https://nolisoli.ph/70209/storybook-children-marine-adarna-csanjose-20191120/#:~:text=Their%20latest%20one%20in%20collaboration,of%20the%20growing%20plastic%20problem.
Title: Bayan ng Basura
Author:  Augie Rivera and art by illustrator and designer Jill Arteche
Date Published: 2019
Key Info: The story is told through the perspective of a sea turtle named Pawikan, the book starts with a peaceful, fiesta-like, and lively marine ecosystem, a town where the protagonist lives.

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By now, we all know (or at least, should know) how plastic-microplastics and huge chunks alike-have been floating around the marine ecosystem, suffocating unsuspecting sea creatures.

How many whales have washed ashore dead after choking on tons of plastic? Turtles strangled by six-pack holders? Even worse, we humans are already consuming plastic by eating seafood and sea salt.

[READ: Shopping bags, rice sacks found inside dead whale in Mindanao]

But do the kids know this?

Sure, Gen Z knows this. Perhaps better than most millennials or even boomers. After all, they are the ones going out into the streets to protest for immediate response to climate change.

[READ: Climate change inaction violates children's rights, says Greta Thunberg and other young activists]

How early do we need to tell our kids about a future they may not have? A sea they may not see or creatures they may only know through books and the internet?

Adarna House, which has been known as a pioneering publishing house for a generation of Filipino kids, has long been integrating these radical issues into the storybooks they produce. Remember when they put out a children's book about the perils of an authoritarian regime called "Ito and Diktadura" or that explainer about the different class strata called "Uring Lipunan"?

[READ: Even this Spanish children's book can't deny the Marcos dictatorship]

Their latest one in collaboration with Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines called "Bayan ng Basura" by award-winning children's book author Augie Rivera with art by illustrator and designer Jill Arteche touches on the environmental effects of the growing plastic problem. Told through the perspective of a sea turtle named Pawikan, the book starts with a peaceful, fiesta-like, and lively marine ecosystem, a town where the protagonist lives.

But after a storm, Pawikan finds himself stuck in another town that's filled with plastic waste. Think "Finding Nemo" but with a scrutinizing view of the effects of the massive irresponsible waste management of humans on land.

We spoke to its author and illustrator about how the project began and the message they want young readers to get from this book.

Hi Augie and Jill! Congrats on the new book. First off, we want to know where you got the idea for the plot and the visual look of "Bayan ng Basura."

Augie Rivera: In developing my story for "Bayan ng Basura" (Basuratown), I drew inspiration from real-life cases of animals that fell victim to environmental abuse and neglect. We have done several 'animals-in-the-news' episodes in our long-running infotainment show, 'Ang Pinaka,' and it was there that I came across stories like that of an olive ridley sea turtle caught off the coast of Costa Rica with a plastic straw lodged in its nostril, and even the local news of a dead Cuvier's beaked whale washed ashore in Compostella Valley that had 40 kilos of plastic waste in its stomach. The story's almost-post-apocalyptic world under the sea is based on a shocking footage of a diver swimming in a Bali ocean teeming with all sorts of plastic garbage.

Jill Arteche: We sketched the character and background studies making sure that we were portraying a somehow realistic idea of a 'Bayan ng Basura' underwater. Overall, the setting became inspired by the movie, "Mad Max Fury Road," which was suggested by Sir Augie. With this, we were able to illustrate a gritty and grimy wasteland that makes you feel nothing but hopelessness and desolation. We also illustrated different kinds of trash but emphasized plastic wastes to make a point of it being the major source of marine pollution.

I also did research and gather a lot of references to sea creatures and the underwater environment. The references were photos from the internet and real life. Some were from my imagination, too! I was also inspired by movies such as "Finding Nemo" and "The Little Mermaid" for the different settings.

Hopefully, the story will make the readers empathize with these poor creatures, root for them, and care enough to dream and participate in making a better world for them to live in.

Knowing how vast the topic of marine pollution is, what were some of your considerations to ensure that a younger reader can fully grasp this concept?

AR: Yes, it's a vast topic so I just focused on the story of the lost Pawikan and his struggles to get out of Basuratown, and find his way back home. I tried to make use of familiar marine creatures as characters and make their experiences relatable to the young audience, but at the same time, I also took the opportunity to introduce other sea creatures to arouse curiosity. Hopefully, the story will make the readers empathize with these poor creatures, root for them, and care enough to dream and participate in making a better world for them to live in.

JA: We used a lot of contrasting elements to make it easier for children to understand the direct effects of pollution on our marine life. As for the spreads set in the 'Bayan ng Basura,' we made it dark, bleak and unpleasant looking to set such a contrasting difference from its happy and vibrant counterpart.

The key to this was the use of a dull and limiting color palette and the presence of grit, grime, and trash. Here, we also gave the characters more menacing and frightening appearances to emphasize their feeling of hopelessness and desolation. We dressed them up in trash to also show how this has become a part of their lives already. Through personifying them, we thought that it would allow children to identify with these characters even more.

What message do you want a kid who will pick up this book to get regarding the current condition of our seas and what they can do about it?

AR: The staggering amount of plastic waste choking the world's oceans is a huge global problem. (In fact, the Philippines is now the third-largest contributor of marine plastic waste). The story hopes to inspire young readers to take action, and do their share in trying to solve the problem. Their small actions like disposing of waste properly, saying 'no' to plastic straws, or refusing the single-use plastics can rile up their own communities to be more pro-active in taking care of our oceans and the environment. 'Think global, act local', .

JA: Personally, I believe that the release of the book is very timely because of the environmental disasters that have been happening recently. With this, I hope that we realize that this story is one that reminds us that we share a planet with other living creatures that have an equal share on this earth as humans do. This is a truth that a lot of us tend to forget when we make our choices. As the story shows, our obsession to create a 'perfect world' comes at the expense of our already declining ecosystems, making them more vulnerable than ever. It is important to stress the fact that there will be no future for humanity without them. So to all the readers, I hope that this story empowers you to act immediately before it's too late.

Header photo courtesy of Jill Arteche

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A 200 kg pawikan just washed up dead in Camarines Norte Huge dead whale at CCP reflects PH's plastic problem DENR closes Zamboanga Del Sur beach that is home to nesting turtles
Writer: CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE

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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LOOK: Storybook teaches children how plastic endangers marine creatures

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By now, we all know (or at least, should know) how plastic-microplastics and huge chunks alike-have been floating around the marine ecosystem, suffocating unsuspecting sea creatures. How many whales have washed ashore dead after choking on tons of plastic? Turtles strangled by six-pack holders? Even worse, we humans are already consuming plastic by eating seafood...

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Episode 14. Life Below Water (Researched by: Matthews Phoenix Payot)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bBzbkZlAqCYFHVPccFVDL?si=714371585eb146da
Title: Episode 14. Life Below Water
Author: Agenda 2030
Date Published: Jul. 2021
Key Info: Camilla Colucci speaks with Jenny Ioannou, communication manager of Healthy Seas, an NGO that collects abandoned fishing nets from the seabed for recovery and recycling, and Elena Marro, project manager of the European Parliament's International Youth Session 2021.

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Listen to this episode from Agenda 2030 on Spotify. Water is not only one of the primary elements on the planet, but it is also a sustainable resource. The oceans, in fact, absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, thus moderating the impact of global warming on the Earth.

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URL:https://www.facebook.com/310249813180617/posts/983023009236624/?sfnsn=mo

Author: Emerging Philippines

Published: Dec 21 2021

Key Info: In terms of climate protection, the Philippines surpassed its counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region as a new entrant to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).

This show's the Philippines' growing concern and long term commitment in fighting climate change including fighting water pollution, and preventing acts that can be harmful to the Philippines' fragile ecosystem.

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Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water - Tracey Rogers (Researched by: Matthews Phoenix Payot)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u75w751uzoQ
Title: Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water - Tracey Rogers
Author: Prof. Tracey Rogers
Date Published: May 5, 2020
Key Info: Prof. Tracey Rogers of the University of New South Wales' School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences breaks out some of the fundamental problems behind the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 14. "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development," according to SDG 14.

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Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water - Tracey Rogers

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Ocean Life and Nature Documentary -  Amazing Underwater Marine Life Documentary (Researched by: Matthews Phoenix Payot)

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9mlK45rP0
Title: Ocean Life and Nature Documentary -  Amazing Underwater Marine Life Documentary
Author: Newest Documentaries YouTube Channel
Date Published: Feb. 26, 2018
Key Info: Underwater Marine Life Documentary 2020 is about the life in the oceans in coral reef full documentary.

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Ocean Life and Nature Documentary -  Amazing Underwater Marine Life Documentary

# data[].attributes.body
URL:https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=706304446896996
Title: Philippine Seas Episode 2 - Challenges and Threats in the West Philippine sea

Author: Nomadic Dreamers
Date Published: Oct 8, 2020
Key Info: In the webinar the The DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau and the UP Marine Science Institute tackles the problem about the plastic pollution in the West Philippine Sea

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Philippine Seas Episode 2 - Challenges and Threats in the West Philippine Sea

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URL: https://speakupforthevoiceless.org/leather-back-sea-turtle-extinction-is-nearing/
Title: Leather-Back Sea Turtle - extinction is nearing..
Author: N/A

Published: N/A
Key Info: The severe plastic pollution causes the blending of plastics into our seas.

# data[].attributes.body
URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XziGJzAPYmc&ab_channel=NomadicDreamers
Title: FOREIGNER GOES FISHING IN THE ILOG PASIG MANILA PHILIPPINES - ANOTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP AREA

Author: Nomadic Dreamers
Date Published: Feb 5, 2019
Key Info: In the episode of the vlog the foreigners tries to fishing on the Pasig river which is another area in the Philippines that has under gone a large clean up over the last few years.

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FOREIGNER GOES FISHING IN THE ILOG PASIG MANILA PHILIPPINES - ANOTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP AREA

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URL:https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/45458277476634313/
Title: The World's Largest Lesson
Author: N/A
Date Published: N/A
Key Info: An advocacy poster supporting SDG 14

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Oct 12, 2019 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

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URL: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/the-big-question-about-microplastics-1.4457413
Title: rendering of The Great Wave
Author: Bonnie Monteleone
Date Published: N/A
Key Info: Bonnie Monteleone rendition of The Great Wave

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