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| Lourdes School from my window |
A friend from out-of-town was supposed to fly to Manila for a short vacation but a problem at work didn't allow her to leave as planned. She called and asked me to use her hotel booking as the 3-night stay was already paid for. Since I've been working at home, a change of scenery sounds great---so I packed my bag and lap top and drove about 15 kilometers to Astoria Plaza. Astoria Plaza is a 5-minute walk from my old office building. Two friends and former colleagues joined me for breakfast every morning to enjoy the breakfast buffet.
Took these photos from the window of the suite--yes, it was a suite! How lucky can a girl get? There's the tower where I worked for 12 years---the Philippine Stock Exchange Center.
I was enjoying my quiet time but the smile faded when I saw the smog-covered skyline. These photos were taken a little before 9 a.m. Looking towards the west at EDSA and beyond, a thick layer of smog blanketed the city. This is the quality of air we breath everyday.
According to the United Nations, Metro Manila is one of
the five most polluted cities in the world, with an estimated 4%
of the vast metropolis's disease-related deaths linked to air pollution.
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| smog-covered morning |
For decades, there have been measures in bringing down air pollution levels to acceptable standards---there's the Clean Air Act of 1999, but pollution seems to get worse every year. The government has been seeking public support to turn Metro Manila into a healthy metropolis. Taking public transport or car-pooling is encouraged, walking or using bikes, use of energy-efficient products, and conserving electricity are few tips to curb individual air emissions. MMDA opened bike lanes around the metro and even lends bikes to commuters.
I hope we'd see more electric-powered jeepneys on the roads instead of the usual diesel-fueled jeepneys. Clean air should be an individual concern if we're looking at a better quality of life.
Feel it...Breath it...Believe it...and you'll be walking on air.
Linking to Our World Tuesday
agree that amount of smog that the eyes can see can be scary. i hope the govt can find a solution to eliminating so much air pollution with the help and cooperation of the people.
ReplyDeleteGreat post for the day, but the smog is dreadful and it's only getting worse everywhere these days!!
ReplyDeleteClean air, global warming wouldn't change until the people finally attack their own governments. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI hope something gets done soon. The view is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI live in a village only 15 kms from Rotterdam, but there is a difference between the air you breathe here or in Rotterdam, which is a metropolis and where the traffic is very heavy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment. I agree with you that every year there is more and more flooding.
It is a problem facing many large cities. Let's hope that something can be done soon for all our health's sake.
ReplyDeleteOh my this is so so bad. It's a beautiful city but I can't imagine all of the polluted air!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a good thing by posting about it.
I hope things get better for all of us all over the world. If they don;t soon we aren't going to have a world any longer!
Take care and thanks for sharing this with us!
Jackie Expression Needed Happy OWT!
Amazing view but shame about the smog.
ReplyDeletelovely
ReplyDeleteLovely shots Luna, and you're lucky! When you live at the higher grounds like me, the horizon in the mornings from my window is really saddening, and I am really sad. I can even see private houses still burning their wastes every morning, and the Quezon City government doesn't even regulate it. If you go to Antipolo, the same bad scenes will sadden you!
ReplyDeleteI can not imagine this,- such a beautiful city is covered with smog!
ReplyDeleteI think your post is very effective to spread awareness about air pollution to all over the world.
I believe if each of us do something good for the earth even a little bite, this world will be the better place to live in.
Thank you for sharing this great blog!
Have a wonderful week!
keiko
Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing) Hanne Bente
Stunning shots, Luna. Thank you for dropping over my blog. I am you newest follower.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Scudds
do you buy a lot of shares?
ReplyDelete