Saving Our Forests, One Seed at a Time
Determination
More importantly, our determination can help solve the challenges of the present generation, such as poverty, deforestation and the ill effects of climate change.
He said that if we feel that the temperature is humid, we can ask ourselves “why isn’t there enough shade tocool us off?”
We might have all said this at one point in time – and
Dionisio kept saying this when he was trekking along the
volcanic ash-laden valleys of Zambales.
According to him, temperature of places with trees and
those without it can have a variance of up to 13 degrees
Celsius, based on his personal statistical recordings.
The shade and forest cover also creates a water cycle that
has been the basis of life since the beginning of time – only
to be disrupted by humanity in the past 200 years.
“I really hope that everyone can plant a tree
somewhere – in their backyards or even in someone
else’s,” Dionisio said.
“I also wish that we would buy things that won’t
kill the forests, and support brands that support our
planet,” he added.
Dionisio keeps hoping that all governments can
seriously consider implementing reforestation initiatives
properly – since farmers are sure to benefit from the water
flow it will generate.
Survival of the human race
“It is actually a matter of survival as a human race,” he
pointed out.
Raf explained that taking care of the environment
can mean taking care of ourselves, because forests can
lower global temperatures.
He also emphasized that “kaingin,” or the slash
and burn method of farming, is one of the perennial
practices that badly affect nature – an old system for
an old environment.
In the past, migrant farmers usually enter the forest,
clear a patch with fire, and plant on the freshly cleared
area, making the soil rich and fertile.
This practice entailed planting for one season then
leaving the area, allowing it to regenerate for years.
That happened easily within the forest.
Sadly, today is far different because kaingin has
caused forests to degrade, up to the extent of affecting
natural water systems.
“In Zambales, a lot of farmers still practice this method
because it’s fast, but are unaware of the change in the
environmental context,” he pointed out.
“Kaingin is an old system that does not fit into this
new world....very similar to our previous way of living as
humans, which was not meant for a world with Covid-19
(coronavirus disease 2019),” he emphasized.
Livelihood opportunities
“That is the reason why it’s important for us to provide
farmers with livelihood opportunities, and train them so
they can plant with more sustainable soil management
systems – something very close to my heart,” he added.
To turn his advocacy into reality, Dionisio, together
with close associates, spearheaded the creation of Make A Difference Travel or simply MAD Travel – a Philippinebased social enterprise that works with and for marginalized
communities in creating impactful, inspiring and authentic
experiences through interactive experiences.
“We at MAD Travel create innovative solutions for a
positive impact,” he said.
This initiative then spawned MAD Market to
continue supporting local farmers and small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) during the Covid-19 pandemic by
delivering fresh fruits, vegetables and baked products
straight to people’s doorsteps.
With the travel restrictions and lockdowns, farmers and
small businesses were among the hardest hit.
By sourcing from farmers in different areas, as well as
small home-grown bakeries, MAD Market hopes to help
keep livelihoods going, lessen the risk of people going
outside their residences, and provide healthier food options.
“I also encourage the establishments of fruit farms
in the country to make sure that each of our towns can
have access to nutritious, quality and low cost farm
products,” Raf said.
“If you want to plant a tree, let us know, you can
grab one with MAD Market. We also have online
courses coming up if you want to learn more about
social entrepreneurship coming from active change
makers,” he said.
“Through this effort, we’ve got a mini forest already
growing, thanks to the help coming from so many people
and, of course, the Aetas who worked hard to care for
the environment. This is just the beginning – we need 30
million trees more to help fight the climate crisis – one seed
at a time,” Dionisio said.
Source: Greenfields Magazine Issue 288
