Tuesday, December 16, 2008

NGO Leads Fight to Conserve and Protect Petroleum Nut





NGO Leads Fight to Conserve and Protect Petroleum Nut
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1209357937787&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience%2FHSELayout

By Michael A. Bengwayan

Director - PINE TREE


Petroleum nut is believed to be the country's most promising biofuel treasure.

A petroleum-rich tree native to the Philippines and believed to be the country's most promising biofuel treasure is being conserved as it has the potential to provide rural energy and to reduce global warming.
The tree, which is native to only a few provinces in the Philippines and a few other countries in the world, is in danger of falling into the hands of biopirates to enrich only a few profit-oriented multinational companies.

The tree called "petroleum nut" or resin cheesewood and scientifically called Pittosporum resiniferum produces inedible fruits that are octane rich, even richer than the oft-boasted shrub Jatropha curcas of India, which is now being planted in millions of hectares by biodiesel advocates all over the world.

Tree Threatened by Biopirates

To prevent the depletion of the tree from its natural habitat by deforestation or from joining the long list of pirated botanical treasures of the Philippines, a non-profit organization called PINE TREE set up by the New York City-based Echoing Green Foundation, is leading the battle to save the tree and put its ownership right where it belongs - into the hands of the indigenous tribes of the Cordillera region.

PINE TREE is an educational, training, research, and information center on ecology.

"We fear that if we do not put rightful claim to the tree as well as start germplasm protection, collection, and production, biopirates will grab the tree and file patents on the use of its properties," said Richard Botengan, PINE TREE’s program leader, who is based in Canada doing liaison work for the NGO.

The Philippines, one of the most critical "bio-hotspots" in the world is losing its natural richness not only by natural habitat destruction but also by biopirates.

History of Biopiracy

"The project helps reduce global warming, and the local peoples have a sustainable source of income."
The rape of the Philippine forests is nothing new, but the plunder and theft of its rich biodiversity has just begun. Its forest resources, minerals, agricultural and medicinal plants, and indigenous knowledge are being looted by monopoly companies that make millions of dollars patenting and selling plant germplasm, even to those who used to own it.
The first case of foreign biopiracy in the Philippines involved a soil collected and isolated from a cemetery in Iloilo by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, then working for the American company Eli Lilly. An organism in this soil was found to produce an antibiotic, named Ilosone in honor of the province of Iloilo, a well known drug popularly known as erythromycin. Aguilar never received a single cent from his company even after the Philippine government's intervention.

After this first brush with biopirates, more Philippine plants became prey. Two important ingredients of the Filipino diet, namely the "ampalaya" (Mamantia mordica) and "talong" (Solanum melongena), are now the exclusive property of the US National Institute of Health (NIH), the US Army, and the New York University. These parties are conducting intensive studies on the three crops for their potential in curing HIV and thrombosis. The crops are under the US patent numbers US 5484889, JP 65011089, and EP 552257.

Tree to Reduce Global Warming


"Our project trains local peoples to plant petroleum nut and lets them engage in carbon deals."
PINE TREE has planted more than 5,000 seedlings of three endemic petroleum nut varieties from different germplasms that are in its seedbank. These trees will be planted in communal forests to ensure the continuous existence of the tree for years to come.
"Right now, PINE TREE has set up nurseries and is propagating thousands of petroleum nut seeds and cuttings from four endemic varieties. These trees will be planted in ancestral forests of the indigenous peoples to ensure the continuous existence of the tree for years to come," added Botengan.

In 2007, PINE TREE won the prestigious Toyota Environmental Award from the Toyota Motor Company. The award, amounting to USD75,000, is given to a non-profit organization from any country that can present the best program to protect biodiversity while promoting technology for the rural poor. PINE TREE bested more than 500 organizations from 78 countries worldwide.

The award is now being used to preserve, protect, conserve, and mass-produce petroleum nut, not merely because of its oil potential but also as a carbon sink.

Stressing that those to benefit first and directly from the project should be the indigenous peoples, PINE TREE staff is training local villagers to plant, care for, manage, and extract the oil from the tree. The oil will be used for cooking, lighting, heating, running small machines (like water pumps and grinders), and drying.

PINE TREE says conservation of the tree is critical as it is only found in some four to five provinces.
PINE TREE has slated the first training program for villagers on June 4-7, 2008 to benefit 150 farmers, at the National Training Center of the Agricultural Training Institute (NTC-ATI) of the Philippines.
Dobbels Wallang, project assistant of PINE TREE said, "Our project trains local peoples to plant petroleum nut and lets them engage in carbon deals. By this, the project helps reduce global warming, it lessens pressure on forests, which are usually cut for fuel wood, and the local peoples have a sustainable source of income."

Under the Kyoto Protocol, pollution-emitting companies can be taxed higher, fined, or closed. But if these companies are able to finance reforestation and afforestation projects in developing countries that absorb the carbon dioxide they emit, they are allowed to operate because of their corporate responsibility to reduce global warming and to promote countryside development.

Carbon trading deals involving tree planting in developing countries will provide greater benefits than just improving the environment. They could sharply reduce poverty among the rural poor and provide businesses with an inexpensive way to offset their carbon emissions.

Fuel Potential


By chemical analysis, petroleum nut is better than India's Jatropha curcas.
By chemical analysis, petroleum nut is better than India's Jatropha curcas. According to Joseph Gonsalves, consultant of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and author of "An Assessment of the Biofuels Industry in India" published in 2006, Jatropha has a low octane rating of 43. Octane is a hydrocarbon found in petroleum. The Octane rating is how much the fuel can be compressed before it spontaneously ignites.
Chemist Sheryl Lontoc of the Chemistry Department of De La Salle University (DLSU), which is assisting PINE TREE says that their chemical analysis of petroleum nut reveals that it has an octane rating of 54. According to Lontoc, this means the fuel from the tree has a higher potential of running engines, and by all indications, petroleum nut is far better than Jatropha curcas. Fossil fuel has an octane rating of 91.

According to studies made by the Forest Research Institute of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines, petroleum-nut oil contains 46 percent of gasoline-type components such as heptane and dihydroterpene.

A single tree can yield 15 kg of green fruits, which can produce 80 cm3 of oil. The residue, ground up and distilled with steam, can yield 73 cm3 more. Planting the petroleum nut trees would yield 45 tons of fruit or 2,500 gallons of petroleum oil per acre per year.

Earlier studies done by Dr. Pamela Fernandez of the University of the Philippines at Los Banos indicate that a single fruit yields 0.1 to 3.3 ml of oil, averaging about 1.3 ml. In general, the bigger the fruit, the larger the seed and the greater the oil content.

The Petroleum nut fruit has many traditional uses. These include its use as a cure for many conditions (such as skin diseases, common colds, and muscle pains) and to ease stomach pain.

In the Benguet province, the tree is called apisang, abkol, abkel, and langis in the vernacular. It thrives in Mt. Pulis, Ifugao, and in the headwaters of the Agno and Chico River Basins. It is also found in the Bicol provinces, Palawan, Mindoro, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna.

Conservation Critical

PINE TREE says conservation of the tree is critical as it is only found in some four to five provinces. "It is difficult to find the tree nowadays," said Delmar Litilit, the environmental officer of PINE TREE, "If one does, there are often just a few trees in a small forest fragment," he added.

In 2006, China told CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) that the species of petroleum nut it has should be placed on the protected species list because it is rapidly disappearing. PINE TREE believes the Philippine government should do the same sooner rather than later, the tree may go the way of the Dodo.

Sources:

Duke, James A. "Handbook of Energy Crops." (1983). Accessed 26 May 2008.

Gonsalves, Joseph B. "An Assessment of the Biofuels Industry in India." United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Geneva. 18 Oct. 2006. Accessed 26 May 2008.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael A. Bengwayan is the director of PINE TREE, a non-profit organization working on ecological education, training, research and information. He is a Fellow of the Ford Foundation, Echoing Green Foundation, and Reinhard Mohn Foundation. He has a PhD and a master's degree in development studies, environmental science and rural development, respectively.

Monday, December 15, 2008

2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan


http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/michael-bengwayan

Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan
2001

Dr. Michael A. Bengwayan
PINE TREE

La Trinidad, Philippines

Arts, Culture, Humanities, Civil and Human Rights, Community Improvement & Economic Development, Education & Youth Leadership, Environment, Food, Nutrition, Agriculture, Non-Violence, Public Service

The Bold Idea:
Fighting poverty and environmental decay through social change.

Biography:

Post Ph.D. Public Policy, JFK School of Public Policy, Harvard University (Ford Foundation Fellow)

Ph.D. Development Studies, University College Dublin, Ireland (EU Fellow)

MS Environmental Studies, Leuven University, Belgium

MS Rural Development, BSU, Philippines

Diploma in Advanced Journalism, Kalmar University, Sweden, SIDA Fellow

Author: Intellectual and Cultural Property Rights of the Indigenous and Tribal peoples of Asia

Author: Dam the Rivers, Damn the People, San Roque Dam

Michael Bengwayan is Growing Energy on Trees

http://www.echoinggreen.org/blog/energy-from-petroleum-nuts

Michael Bengwayan is Growing Energy on Trees

Dr. Michael Bengwayan, a 2001 Echoing Green Fellow, wrote in to let us know his organization, PINE TREE was recently awarded a $75,000 prize from Toyota’s Environmental Activities Grant Program. The award will help Michael provide energy to farms and households in the Cordillera Region of the Philippines.

A remarkable twist to this community energy project is that he’ll be manufacturing biofuel from Pittosporum resiniferum (also known as the petroleum nut). This plant is indigenous to the Philippines and according to Wikipedia, the fruits (even green ones) can be used for illumination as torches or candles. The incandescent property is due to the volatile oil of the fruit, which also makes it excellent source material for biofuels.

Congratulations Michael!

2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan Wins World Bank Award

http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/michael-bengwayan

2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan Wins World Bank Award

Congratulations to 2001 Echoing Green Fellow Dr. Michael Bengwayan! Last week, Michael’s organization, Pine Tree, won the World Bank Ecological Award. The award, worth one million pesos, has been presented to Pine Tree to prevent further dengue infestation in La Trinidad, Benguet, in the Philippines. The organization plans to use these funds to study the production of dengue’s natural enemies and mosquito plant repellants.

Every two years, the World Bank calls for submissions from government and non-government agencies; the focus is finding an innovative project that fosters community development in the fields of environment, livelihood and good governance. This year, more than 500 agencies applied, ninety-nine made it to the finals and only thirty-one were awarded. Our congratulations go to Michael and everyone at Pine Tree!

Michael Wins 2008 Ford Eco Grant

Ford Extends Over P1M to fund Ecogrant Projects
Baker says consideration for the environment remains a top priority for Ford

http://www.ford.com.ph/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1178857387693&pagename=FPH%2FDFYArticle%2FFord-Standalone&pageid=1137383205294&site=FPH&c=DFYArticle

Makati City - October 28, 2008. Ford Group Philippines (FGP) extended P1.011 million to four grassroots-initiated environmental projects and one cultural conservation effort under the 2008 Ford Environmental and Conservation Grants program, FGP president Rick Baker disclosed recently.


Now on its ninth run, the Ford EcoGrants program stemmed from Ford’s commitment to the environment and to the community. Beyond channeling funds, Ford has built strong partnerships with individuals and organizations who share the Company’s vision of preserving natural resources, protecting national heritage and tapping the youth as development partners.


The biggest grantee this year is Pine Tree for its project, “Energizing Farm and Households through Bio-fuel Production and Extraction of Petroleum Nut.” Based in the Cordillera region, the project seeks to provide a source of energy for 75 families in Kabayan, Benguet for their lighting, cooking, heating and machine work by using the oil from Petroleum Nut. “Apart from uplifting the community’s economic and social well being, the project also seeks to contribute to the preservation of trees and forests,” explained proponent, Dr. Michael Bengwayan.


Another Ford EcoGrant recipient is the First Philippine Conservation, Inc., for its initiative, “Restoring our Forests as One Nation.” It aims to pilot a sound forest restoration program that addresses both ecological integrity and the well-being of human communities. It will tap scientists, indigenous groups, peoples’ organizations, local government units and the Protected Area Management Board to conserve the Bataan Natural Park.


Other 2008 Ford EcoGrant winners are the Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc., which will conserve and preserve the handicrafts of Maguindanaon women for their livelihood, as well as the sources of these handicrafts’ raw materials such as pandan, bamboo, water lily and other plants; the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) proposed by Director Theresa Mundita Lim; and the Save the Iron Wood project of Forrester Joven Tare.


Dr. Teresita R. Perez, chairperson of the Environmental Science Department of the Ateneo de Manila University, Engineer Julian Amador, director of the Energy Utilization and Management Bureau - DENR, and Cherry Ramirez, FGP assistant vice president for corporate affairs served as the 2008 Ford EcoGrants judges.


P20M for 70 Ford EcoGrant projects in nine years
Since 2000, FGP has channeled P20 million to a total of 67 projects through the Ford EcoGrants program. FGP received a total of about 500 entries throughout its nine-year run. The program formed part of Ford’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, making tangible the Company’s commitment to help address social and environmental issues.


“I have fond memories of the various projects we’ve supported through the years. I remember our company hosting the first Biofuels Caravan in February 2007 where a motorcade of several vehicles--all running on bio-fuels--travelled across the country, showing the potentials of this alternative fuel in the Philippines. I also participated in my first Philippine tree-planting activity in Rizal Park which was joined by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim, then Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. chair Former First Lady Amelita Ramos, and some 100 Ford employee volunteers in September 2007. I have also met some amazing people along the way like Dr. Menandro Acda of UP Los Banos who is the epitome of Filipino ingenuity with his project that made use of chicken feathers for pre-fabricated construction materials,” Baker said.


But based on the global direction and after deliberation with FGP’s board of directors and management team, Baker announced that this is the last year of the Ford EcoGrants. “We have decided to focus our CSR efforts on road safety, an advocacy that is closer to our core business,” explained Baker.


“Rest assured that consideration for the environment continues to be a top priority in our business. In fact, it has transformed the way we do business, and will always be an integral part of Ford as a company. We believe that our approach to sustainability will be one of the most important factors in both our short-term financial recovery and our long-term success,” Baker added.

Ford Group Philippines president Rick Baker (second, from left) holds the symbolic certificate representing the P1.011-million funding assistance Ford extended to five projects under the Ford Conservation and Environment Grants program. These projects are represented by (from left) Dausay Daulog of the Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc., Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau-DENR Atty. Juan Quicho, Jr. of the First Philippine Conservation, Inc., and Dr. Michael Bengyawan of the Pine Tree - Cordillera Center for Ecological Education, Training, Research and Information. Forester Joven Tare of the Save the Iron Wood project failed to attend the formal EcoGrant awarding rites.

Waiting for Christmas In My Garden


Waiting for Christmas in My Garden

Early each day I walk to my garden. With a teamug on hand, I scout for
poor young worms feasting on vegetables. I crush them. Not all of them
though. I'm no freak. But I want some veggies on my table too. I don't
like the idea but I have no choice.

Each day too, I take an appreciating look at the pine trees. Always
there, assuring that the world will forever be green. It is a dying
hope though, what with all the deforestation going on. But hope has
given to more hope in the past. It is happening over and over again.

Beyond the garden bunds, trobadour Jiminy crickets take a crack at the
last dusk before it is swallowed by day. They are drowned by several
birds of many kinds. It is a welcome sound.

This garden (I have several) is about 400 square meters located 50
meters from the house. Alnus japonica or what most know as Alnus,
provides shade, spreading scads of broad, hard, green leaves. Before
the garden is a huge house (as big as a local municipal building) owned
by one they call (DE) district engineer, but one who is a plain crook
to me.

I love the garden, and with the onset of every summer, I find myself
working in it constantly. There is much to be done: Weeds need to be
pulled, leaves need to be raked, dead plants need to be carted off and
piled into a compost, seeds to sow, seedlings to prick and tons more o
f
work that leave you b
athing in your sweat but feeling contented every
end of the day.

All of this—the weeding, the planting, even my interest in the garden
itself—has taken me a bit by surprise. I always had a garden before,
and always thought of myself as the gardening type. But at my age (49)
I enjoy it better. Although writing has taken years of my life.

Long rows of Sadanga sitting beans with lush leaves and heavy pods
await to be harvested. And beside them are four rows of "kalbo-oy"
sweet potato, known to be the best in the Cordillera. I have round
eggplants, red, yellow and green chillies, gray and golden suchinnis,
and red and green lettuce.

Beyond the veggies are thousands of petroleum nut trees and Calliandra
calothyrsus nitrogen fixing trees. All around are gold and yellow
marigolds that ward off most insect pests. I have grape-type red
tomatoes as well as cherry ones. These have more lycopene, commanding
three dollars a kilo in the market. But I never sell them. I give them
away to whoever asks for some.

I like sitting on the grass to watch the plants grow because it gives
me hope that tomorrow is always a better day. And as hope gives more
hope, the coming Christmas should be no different. As Christians
celebrate the fake birthday of Jesus, we are given hope once again that
God's gift --Jesus-- would make us grow to be better every day. That in
t
his world reeking with apathy, love alone could awaken love.



And like every morning in a garden, we have a new life. A gift given
again and again. This morning, this blessed morning, should be an
every Christmas morning.

Michael Bengwayan