You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Tuesday, May 27, 2025

“Your sorrow will be turned into joy”


 



By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


WHAT reassuring words Christ was addressing to his disciples, and now to us! While it is a given that we will have all kinds of sorrows in this life, we should avoid falling into a state of sadness that can only mean that we are not with Christ, that we do not believe him.


But if by our faith we stick to this promise of Christ, we know that our sorrows indeed will become joy that will also give us peace, a peace that is not of the worldly kind, but one that comes from Christ himself.


We need to know the real nature and character of this virtue of joy, now facing possible extinction amid the complicated air of modern times. It sadly has suffered many distortions lately such that its common understanding is now quite off the mark.


We also need to update our ability to develop and strengthen it, realistically factoring elements that now define our lives, as well as acquiring the relevant skills and art to effectively tackle our tricky times.


We cannot remain at the superficial level, restricting joy as a function only of biological, emotional, social causes, etc. Joy has deeper roots that go all the way to our Creator. We need to realize this truth more deeply, and do all, helping one another, to work out the proper mentality and culture of joy for one and all.


As such, joy has an eminently spiritual and supernatural nature. To develop it, we need faith, hope and charity, we need to pray and appreciate and live the value of sacrifice, and everything else that go with these elements. 


It has to go all the way to the theological level as well as to the most cutting-edge practical skills we can get. The complexities and challenges of our times demand nothing less.


We have to wean ourselves from that childish notion that joy is just an emotional thing or some chemical or biological phenomenon that can be affected by certain drugs, potions and therapeutic exercises. Joy is neither just a matter of character or temperament.


Not that these things do not contribute anything. They do, and we need to give due consideration to their objective good effects as well as to the objective needs and conditions, both good and bad, of our body in all their aspects.


But we have to understand that they only play a secondary and instrumental role. They are useless if they are not attached to the real source of joy, and that’s nothing less than God himself.


Without God, these elements have no other way but to sooner or later succumb to our weaknesses, to the temptations around and eventually to death. With God, we can always find ways to go on and ultimately enter into eternal life.


Certainly, we need to be very discerning in knowing the actual state and conditions of our life insofar as the virtue of joy as a goal is concerned. We have to be very practical on how to go about developing it, doing the usual give-and-take that is unavoidable.


But we have to learn first how to be theological in developing and living our Christian joy. Thus, we need to see the example of Christ, trying to enter into his mind and heart, such that our thoughts and even our feelings can reflect the thoughts and feelings of Christ himself.


We have to convince ourselves that it is only in him that we find true joy and peace. It’s in his heart where we can find the way and strength to grapple with any trial and difficulty, and to derive some good from evil.


Monday, May 26, 2025

Pope Leo XIV is back on social media, with a message of peace


 

  

The Vatican launched the @Pontifex handle in 2012 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. It now comes in a variety of nine languages -- English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, Arabic, and Latin -- and counts a combined 52 million followers.

Pope Leo XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has taken over the Vatican's official social media handles, with a first Instagram post on Tuesday repeating the first words he said to the world as pope: "Peace be with you all!"

The @Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV post featured some of the photos that have documented the first days of history's first American pope.


The Vatican said it was archiving the posts from Pope Francis ' 12-year papacy. On X, the new account didn't appear to be active Tuesday.

Past popes didn't actually send the posts, which were curated by the Vatican.

The former Cardinal Robert Prevost occasionally posted on X in an account started in 2011. It had been dormant since July 2023 but came back to life earlier this year to share criticism of Trump administration migration policies and comments by Vice President JD Vance.

Pope Leo XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Online scams via Instagram and Facebook go unchecked



By Ignacio R. Bunye

Published May 26, 2025 12:05 am

SPEAKING OUT

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported a surge in scams flooding Instagram and Facebook. According to WSJ, an internal analysis by Meta revealed that 70 percent of newly active advertisers on its platforms were promoting scams or low-quality products. The culprits? Fraud rings operating from China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

The scale of fraud on Meta’s platforms is expanding, driven by advances in AI, cryptocurrency, and organized crime networks. While regulators and financial institutions are urging stricter enforcement, Meta appears hesitant to disrupt its advertising business. Despite recognizing the issue, Meta has deprioritized scam enforcement, allowing repeat offenders to accumulate multiple violations before facing a ban.


Scammers employ various deceptive strategies to target users. Here are some of the most prevalent methods:

 Phishing scams: Fraudsters impersonate Instagram support, sending messages like, "Your account has been flagged for suspicious activity. Click this link to verify your identity." The link leads to a fake login page designed to steal credentials.

 Fake giveaways and lotteries: A scam account mimics a popular brand and announces, "Congratulations! You’ve won our giveaway. Just pay a small shipping fee to claim your prize." Once the victim sends the money, the scammer vanishes.

 Investment and crypto scams: Flashy posts promise, "Turn $500 into $5,000 in just a week! DM us to start investing." Victims send money, but the promised returns never materialize.

 Romance scams: Scammers build relationships with victims over weeks or months before suddenly claiming, "I need money for an emergency medical procedure. Can you help?" Once funds are sent, the scammer disappears.

 Fake job offers: Ads promote lucrative work-from-home opportunities like, "Earn $2,000 a week with no experience!" Applicants are asked to pay for training materials or provide personal details, only to realize the job doesn’t exist.

 Blackmail and extortion: Known as “sextortion,” scammers manipulate victims into sharing sensitive information or images, then demand payment to prevent exposure. A scammer might pose as a potential romantic interest, gain the victim’s trust, and encourage them to share private content. Once they have compromising material, they issue threats: "Pay up, or I'll expose your personal content to friends, family, or the public."

These scams thrive on urgency, emotional manipulation, and impersonation to deceive users. Staying vigilant and verifying sources before engaging can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes. (totingbunye2000@gmail.com)

Broken hearts

 



By Mike Lim

Published May 24, 2025 02:21 pm


Lover Boy (LB) and Alluring Woman (AW) were an unlikely pair, which made their partnership interesting. Both are smart, which probably was an added attraction.

Despite speculations, LB and AW never disclosed their relationship to the public. The non-disclosure puzzled many because neither of them have someone who would have hindered their union. In addition, AW hardly posted about LB.

It was only after some time that hints were dropped about LB and AW being in a relationship. LB would be seen in family gatherings of AW.

AW was radiant and kibitzers knew she was happy and inspired. AW completed her life goals with LB’s encouragement. Even her family members seemed to be in favor of LB for her. Thus, many wished they were each other’s forever.

Recently, the grapevine started to buzz that LB and AW were over. For undisclosed reasons, the two have allegedly called it quits, adding themselves to the list of showbiz couples who broke up this year.

But what caused the split? Did LB decode to focus on matters concerning his professional future? He is facing a controversy that could affect his reputation and what he had built. Or did the pronouncement of someone in AW’s past created ripples that damaged her relationship with LB?

‘If you face problems, face reality, even when it's hard, even when what you're saying is an ugly truth, sometimes you can wake up faster and do something to make things better.’ — Max Cavalera

Not so perfect

In the entertainment world, finding a relationship is easy but keeping it forever is not. Yet, fewer showbiz personalities do find love with non-showbiz individuals.

When Secretive Entertainer (SE) was building her reputation and growing into her career, reporters pried into her love life instead of her professional achievements.

At the time, SE showed a side that was uncommon – she stuck to an earlier decision to keep her mouth shut.

SE, unlike her contemporaries who were all-too willing to open about their love life, soon gained a reputation for being difficult. SE kept her stand and remained consistent. That is, until she introduced a Non-Showbiz man (NS) to her public.

NS won her heart, to the delight of the media. SE and NS tied the knot and raised a family. Given that NS was not part of the entertainment world, he was not as exposed to never-ending inquiries. Through the years, SE and NS were assumed to be living in domestic bliss.

Soon, SE and NS were hardly seen in society pages and seeing them together became infrequent. Consistently, SE kept quiet about her family life. No one dared to ask her about her relationship with NS. Given that NS was a private, non-showbiz personality, no one sought an update. Rumors have it that he has already moved on from SE.

Meanwhile, SE has also pursued professional endeavors and kept her private life away from her public persona. The setback has made her seemingly perfect world, imperfect, but SE has more than enough from her past to fill up the imperfection of her then relationship.

‘We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.’ — Walt Disney

Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter and @fashionpulis on Instagram. Please continue to send your comments and juicy stories to fashionpulis2023@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving www.fashionpulis.com. Till next Sunday...


The sweetness of true love


 


By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


THIS is the unmistakable mark of true love, one that channels the very love of God of whom we are his image and likeness, meant to share in his very life and nature. Irrespective of how things go in our life, whether they are going up or down in human terms, as long as we have that true love, the taste of love will always be sweet.


And the basis for this assertion is the truth of our faith that defines true love not only in human terms but also and most especially in spiritual and supernatural terms. True love is not only natural, subject only to the laws of nature which cannot help, given our wounded condition due to our sin, to bear the baggage of the infranatural.


This spiritual and supernatural love can transcend whatever temporal condition we might be in. As St. Paul once said, this kind of love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13,7) And given the current conditions in the world, we truly need this love to survive all the trials and challenges in our life.


The challenge we have here is how to have this kind of love and how to keep it going all day and all the time. For this, we should always find ways of how to keep going our relationship with God who is the very essence, source and power of love.


Let’s remember that when God created man, he entered into a personal relationship with us precisely because we have been created by him to be his image and likeness, to be a person, and not just a thing, a plant or animal, with whom we can share his very life and nature.


As we often hear, we, among God’s creatures, are not just something. We are a someone, a person, with intelligence and will. It is with us, together with the angels, that God establishes a personal relationship. We have to learn how to do our part in corresponding to this God-initiated relationship.


For our part, we should just find ways of how we can keep that relationship alive and vibrant, able to feel the reassuring will and ways of God. Only then can we manage the sweetness of love despite the varying conditions and situations of our life here on earth.


We should come up with the appropriate strategy to deal with this condition of our life, some kind of structure or system that can guide us irrespective of the changing circumstances of our daily life. This structure or system should be made up of some practices of piety that would keep our spiritual and supernatural bearing intact as we navigate the seas and oceans of our life.


These practices of piety should be the basic ones like a time for prayer, recourse to the sacraments especially the holy eucharist and confession, some devotions like the praying of the holy rosary, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and other practices like regular examinations of conscience, presence of God all throughout the day making use of human devices, etc.,


Everyday, we have to tweak this system to adapt it to the peculiar conditions of the day. In this regard, it is also good to consider our concrete physical, emotional and mental conditions, so we would somehow know what to do when their strong and weak points would impact on the different events of the day. Not all days are the same. There are what we call ‘good’ days and ‘bad’ days.


Saturday, May 24, 2025

Heavy rainfall to continue across Mindanao this weekend — PAGASA

 


By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

Published May 23, 2025 09:44 am

A heavy rainfall warning remains in effect over several provinces in Mindanao as the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to continue to bring widespread rain, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, May 23.

The ITCZ is a weather system where winds from the northern and southern hemispheres converge, forming rain-bearing clouds that bring prolonged rainfall.

On Friday, heavy rains are expected in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental.

By Saturday, May 24, heavy rains may persist in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and Davao Occidental.

PAGASA warned that the sustained rainfall may cause localized flooding, particularly in low-lying, urban, and river-adjacent areas. 

Landslides are also possible in mountainous and high-risk areas.

Rainfall may be heavier in elevated areas, and impacts could worsen in places that have already seen significant rain in the past few days, PAGASA said.

Residents are advised to stay alert and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices. 

Authorities urged the public to take precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may continue to experience warm and humid conditions. 

Batanes and Babuyan Islands will experience partly cloudy skies due to the ridge of a high pressure area.

he easterlies will continue bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening across the rest of the country.

El Nido beyond the usual

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It started with a dream between two friends, with no blueprint but a shared desire to explore Palawan. They followed the tides, listened to local communities, and slowly uncovered a deeper way to travel that gives back and grows alongside the people it touches.

That dream became Tao Philippines (pronounced ta-ó, meaning “human”), a movement rooted in empowerment, education, and sustainable livelihoods. What began with a single boat now funds schools, trains islanders, and connects travelers to stories that matter.

I joined Tao Philippines’ two-day island expedition in El Nido, even though it wasn’t part of my original plan.

While figuring out what to do in El Nido, I remembered Tao. I checked its site, found a trip that matched my schedule, and everything just fell into place. I hesitated at first because it was pricier than the usual El Nido tours, but I’m so glad I went for it.

Setting sail —PHOTOS BY KELLY AUSTRIA

Not your typical adventure

After years of hiking mountains and camping on remote beaches across the Philippines, I thought I’d already had my best adventures. But Tao was on a whole different level.

Tao Philippines is not your typical adventure. It gives travelers a chance to be part of something real—a sailing expedition through the remote islands of northern Palawan. Onboard, there are no set itineraries. The routes shift with the weather and the rhythm of the sea, guided by the experience of the crew, many of whom come from the very islands the boats explore.

We sailed on the Balatik, a majestic 74-foot wooden paraw named after the constellation Orion in Hiligaynon. Modeled after the traditional vessels that once navigated Philippine waters more than a thousand years ago, the Balatik is a graceful double outrigger boat adorned with tribal carvings and powered by both wind and motor, depending on the sea’s temperament.

It had everything one needed to feel right at home at sea. There were two toilets and a freshwater shower so we could wash up comfortably after a swim. We tucked our luggage safely under the deck, and there were designated spots for our day bags, along with baskets for our sunblock, tumblers, and slippers.

There was room to sprawl out on deck chairs and enjoy the breeze. The kitchen was open, literally. We were free to watch the chef work his magic or even pitch in. When we wandered over to the captain’s area, we found it wasn’t off limits. We could ask questions, learn a bit about sailing, or just enjoy the view beside the one steering the ship.

Breakfast at Cadlao Camp, beautifully served on woven leaves.

Our crew members, affectionately known as the Lost Boys, are the heart of every Tao journey. They are local islanders, former farmers, fishermen, and students, trained by Tao. Their stories reflect the spirit of Tao itself: humble beginnings, hard-earned skills, and a deep respect for the land and sea.

There was Roy, our expedition leader, who worked his way up from crew to barman to chef before leading journeys like ours. Art, our ever-smiling chef, prepared unforgettable meals. He shared that cooking has always been something he truly enjoyed, and Tao helped him grow even more in the kitchen.

Jo was our barman and was always quick with a smile and ready with a drink. As Roy joked, the barman is the most important member of the crew and “as long as the barman is alive, you will never go thirsty.”

Hondo was our calm and capable snorkeling guide, always keeping an eye on everyone in the water. Amar, the engine man, made sure we kept moving, while Kian was always nearby to help. Marvin was the joker of the group, and Captain Rolly guided the Balatik. Rounding out the crew were three adorable Jack Russell Terriers named Nala, Sulu, and Riri.

Small community

Each expedition is different, not just because of the changing routes but also because of the people on board. With everyone coming from different places, we became a small floating community, sharing stories over meals and making friends under the stars. On our trip I was the only Filipino born and raised in the Philippines so I gladly answered questions about my country.

We had three stops on our first day. Our first was Snake Island, officially known as Vigan Island, famous for its sandbar that curves like a snake connecting two land masses. Though it was high tide when we arrived and the sandbar was submerged, we still climbed a short trail for a sweeping view of the winding shoreline.

The next two stops were snorkeling sites near Pasandigan Beach and Natnat Beach, both teeming with marine life. Snorkels and fins were provided by Tao, and the crew made sure everyone felt safe and relaxed, even offering a buoy to float with for those who preferred a gentler experience.

SEE ALSO

Our camp that night was at Cadlao Island, where the dream of Tao first took shape. The Tao logo, inspired by a smiling face or a laugh, traces its roots to this very place.

We slept in bamboo huts known as tukas, elevated and thoughtfully designed with mosquito nets, cushion beds, and views of the sea just steps away. The architecture blended seamlessly with nature, using traditional bamboo bending techniques that were both sustainable and strong. Amenities included open-air showers with organic soap, two enclosed toilets, two enclosed showers, and communal dinner tables under the stars.

Meals on board and at camp were highlights in themselves. Most fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables were sourced locally or harvested from Tao’s own Beach Farm. And they served some of my favorite Filipino dishes like fried matang baka, monggo, and tortang talong, all lovingly prepared by the crew. Coffee and ginger tea were available throughout the day. Every meal came with rice, which the Tao Lost Boys called “Filipino power.”

Lunch was pansit, fried “matang baka,” stir-fried vegetables, and of course, rice.

Final stop

On the second day, we had a long stretch of sailing before arriving at our final stop, Daracotan Island, which is another Tao camp, this one even more beautiful than the last. It had wide white sand beaches, shaded lounging huts, and a Guapo Shack where more Lost Boys served cold drinks.

Our final stop was the Tao Beach Farm that also serves as a training ground and home base for the Lost Boys. Roy, our expedition leader, shared that before joining Tao, the only words he could say with confidence were “yes” and “no,” and even then, he was not always sure if his answer was correct. Today, he leads briefings with ease at the start of each expedition, before every stop, and at the journey’s end. And his final message to us was met with warm applause.

Travelers who join Tao often come seeking adventure. But what they find goes far beyond beaches and coral reefs. They are welcomed into a community. They hear the crew’s stories. They see where their travel money goes.

The Tao Kalahi Foundation, the organization’s social development arm, ensures that the benefits of tourism ripple outward. It builds kindergartens and elementary schools in remote villages, hires and trains local teachers, and offers scholarships in fields such as marine biology, public administration, and education. The foundation also hosts summer training programs, where young people learn skills in agriculture, hospitality, and community leadership.

In a world where tourism often exploits and extracts, Tao offers a different way—a slower, more mindful route that honors both place and people. It is a reminder that travel can be transformative not just for the traveler, but also for the places they visit.

Forscher warnen vor Mega-Blackout

 Wegen Sonnensturm

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Sonneneruptionen werden in fünf Kategorien eingeteilt: A, B, C, M und X. Jede Stufe stellt eine zehnfache Erhöhung der Energieabgabe dar. A ist die schwächste, X die stärkste

Sonneneruptionen werden in fünf Kategorien eingeteilt: A, B, C, M und X. Jede Stufe stellt eine zehnfache Erhöhung der Energieabgabe dar. A ist die schwächste, X die stärkste

Foto: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED

Eine massive Sonneneruption droht in den kommenden Tagen unseren Planeten zu treffen. Schon jetzt hat die Sonne mehrere starke Strahlungsausbrüche ausgesendet, wie am 14. Mai. Die Eruption wurde als Klasse X2,7 gemessen, die höchste Kategorie. 

Die Stürme entstehen, wenn die Sonne geladenes Plasma ins All schleudert. Sie können das Erdmagnetfeld empfindlich beeinträchtigen und haben laut „Daily Mail“ zu Funkausfällen in Europa, Asien und dem Nahen Osten sowie eine Beeinträchtigung der Stromversorgung im Osten der USA verursacht. Nasa und andere Behörden warnen vor weiteren Ausbrüchen.

Im Mai 2024 simulierten US-Behörden bereits den Ernstfall: Bei der „Solar Storm Emergency Drill“ wurden vier Szenarien geomagnetischer Stürme durchgespielt. Besonders das „Supersturm“-Szenario sorgte für Aufsehen. Wochenlange Blackouts an der US-Ostküste, Ausfälle von Pipelines und Zugverbindungen sowie ein befürchtetes „Internet-Apokalypse“-Szenario wurden durchgespielt. 

Das Ergebnis: Die größte Schwäche der aktuellen Technik ist die späte Erkennung von koronalen Massenauswürfen (CMEs). Diese können erst etwa 30 Minuten vor dem Eintreffen auf der Erde zuverlässig erkannt werden. Das macht eine effektive Vorbereitung nahezu unmöglich.

Behörden fordern bessere Abwehrmaßnahmen

Wissenschaftler fordern daher nationale Strategien zur Abwehr von Weltraum-Wettergefahren. Mehr Satelliten zur Überwachung der Sonnenaktivität, bessere Echtzeit-Daten und eine engere internationale Zusammenarbeit seien nötig.

Alles rund um die Sonne – Infografik

„Laufende Vorbereitungsbemühungen auf ein Weltraum-Wetterereignis sind von entscheidender Bedeutung, da ein extremes Ereignis das Potenzial hat, die kritische Infrastruktur unseres Landes schwer zu beeinträchtigen und unsere nationale Sicherheit zu gefährden“, heißt es in dem Behörden-Bericht. „Genauso wie wir uns auf Erdbeben, Hurrikane und Cyberangriffe vorbereiten, muss unsere Nation Maßnahmen ergreifen, bevor ein größeres Weltraum-Wetterereignis eintritt.“

Trotz der Gefahren hat die Sonnenaktivität auch einen faszinierenden Nebeneffekt: In US-Bundesstaaten wie Alaska, Montana und New York erhellten spektakuläre Polarlichter den Nachthimmel.

Funkausfälle möglich:Sonne schleudert geladene Partikel

Quelle: X, NASA

OUR BELOVED MOTHER EARTH

 


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OUR BELOVED MOTHER EARTH (Reflections by Klaus Döring)
The poem “Mother Earth” is a beautiful description of the earth as a mother of everything, including all the objects in the world as well as human beings. The main idea of the poem is love of nature, and the role of the earth in being a part of nature’s beauty.
Our Mother Earth is currently facing a lot of environmental concerns. Environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution, climate change and many more affect every human, animal, and nation on this planet.
Our environment provides a wide range of benefits, such as the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, as well as the many materials needed in our homes, at work and for leisure activities.
Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all civilisation and sustain our economies.
The environment gives us countless benefits that we can’t repay our entire life. As they are connected with the forest, trees, animals, water, and air. The forest and trees filter the air and absorb harmful gases. Plants purify water, reduce the chances of flooding, maintain natural balance and many others.
We hear about threats to the environment every day. Whether it’s the ravages of climate change, deforestation, or pollution, apocalyptic-sounding events fill the news cycle. It can be overwhelming and challenging to discern what exactly it all means. The environment – which includes everything from the ocean to the forests – impacts every area of life. Here are ten reasons why that’s important:
If you work in an office setting, you may not think about how the environment affects peoples’ lives and jobs. However, billions of people depend on the environment. Take forests, for example. Over 1.5 billion people rely on forests for food, shelter, medicine, and more. If crops fail, many turn to the woods. 2 billion (or almost 27% of the world’s population) earn their living from agriculture. Another 3 billion people depend on the ocean.
Caring for the environment could create millions of new jobs and help reduce poverty. In a report from the International Labour Organization, shifting to greener economies could create 24 million new jobs by 2030. Many fear that switching to green energy and more sustainable practices would cause more people to fall into poverty, but if green jobs take the place of old jobs, it does the opposite.
The loss of biodiversity has many negative consequences, but weakened food security is a big one. As the world loses animal and plant species, the ones that remain are more vulnerable to disease and pests. Our diets get less healthy, as well, which increases the risk for diet-related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Protecting environments like the forests and oceans ensures there’s food for every living thing.
Polluted air is a major issue in our world. 9 in 10 breathe unclean air, which impacts their health and lifespans. Health effects include developmental delays, behavioral problems, and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Every year, polluted air contributes to the deaths of 7 million people. Trees are an especially effective filter. They remove air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide while releasing oxygen.
Environmental factors account for many infant and childhood deaths every year. Issues include a lack of access to clean water and clean air. Waterborne diseases alone kill about 1.4 million kids each year. To save the lives of children, healthy environments and basic rights like clean air and water are necessary.
The vast majority of medicines have origins in the natural world. As an example, chemicals from the Pacific yew tree led to the creation of two chemotherapy drugs. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies constantly look to the environment for new and better medicines. Unfortunately, about 15,000 medicinal plant species face extinction, so if they go, humans miss out on potentially life-saving drugs.
Mental health is complex. It’s the result of factors such as genetics, lifestyle, relationships, and the environment. Researchers have studied the effects of nature and green spaces on mental health for years. Many studies show a significant benefit. In a 2019 review in Current Directions in Psychological Science, researchers found that green spaces near schools encourage cognitive development and better self-control in children. Another review from Science Advances learned that nature is associated with better happiness, well-being, and a sense of purpose.
Humans drive climate change. In the 6th report from the IPCC, the authors determined that the last decade was the hottest in human history and we can now link specific weather events to human-made climate change. Climate change’s effect on the environment is hard to overstate. Diseases, droughts, severe weather events, and more threaten plants, animals, and humans. If fossil fuel emissions aren’t reduced immediately, the environment will become uninhabitable.
It’s challenging not to feel hopeless in the face of environmental disasters and climate change. However, we can’t afford to be hopeless and there are many solutions we still have time to implement. Protecting plant and animal species, conserving healthy green spaces, and reducing emissions will make a difference. Humans can save the planet for future generations by caring for the environment.
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. But how long???
What is your contribution to keep Mother Earth alive?