THE world has heard it all before. Biodiversity—the web of life that encompasses microorganisms, plants and animals that interact with each other—is being lost at extremely alarming levels. Many know that this web of life is fast becoming endangered due to the demands of the growing human population, as well as people’s wasteful and inefficient consumption patterns.

This season of love, the negative news of biodiversity loss will not be the headline. Hearts’ day will be celebrated by showcasing how people from various walks of life show their love for biodiversity in hopes that more will be inspired to take action.

In Indonesia, 14-year-old Adeline Tiffanie Suwana formed Sahabat Alam, or Friends of Nature, with her 150 friends and classmates as initial members. Her group, now with almost 2,000 members, generates awareness of biodiversity conservation through school seminars, events, talk shows, films and various activities to encourage young people to do something for the environment.

“Indonesia is a mega-diverse country. We are rich in mammals, reptiles, birds and plants, but people do not know what biodiversity or Keanekaragaman hayati is. We don’t have any classes or school activities about the environment or biodiversity. Most of my friends and teachers have not heard the word biodiversity. This is how my interest in biodiversity conservation began,” Adeline shares.

According to the teen eco-hero, she shows her love for biodiversity by helping plant mangroves, freeing turtles into their natural habitat, cleaning up rivers, and promoting the increased use of bicycles among her friends.

In Brunei, global bank HSBC is going beyond deposits, withdrawals, loans, credit cards, investments, bills payment and Internet banking. With its climate-change mitigation and biodiversity conservation activities in the Heart of Borneo, the financial institution is showing Bruneians and the rest of the world that investing in the environment makes sound business sense.

Realizing the importance of the Heart of Borneo, HSBC Brunei decided to lend its support to the conservation of the transboundary ecosystem. For the bank, the Heart of Borneo represents the only place remaining in Southeast Asia where forests, biodiversity and its ecosystem services can still be conserved on a very large scale.

Focusing on climate change, HSBC is also supporting research being conducted by the Centre of Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

“Through the support of HSBC, the University of Brunei and international research partners established a 25-hectare long-term forest research plot in Kuala Belalong. The research will provide critical information on the impact of climate change on the forests of Brunei, one of the most biodiverse forests in the world. The results will provide essential information for forest management, contributing to crafting of policies that will help preserve the rich biodiversity of Brunei’s forests,” Stuart Davies, director of CTFS, said.

Closer to home, Philippine broadcasting giant GMA 7 is promoting love for biodiversity through its weekly TV program Born to be Wild. The TV show showcases various species and environments found in the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia. The show is often lauded for bridging the gap between scientists and the general public.

“The program is a breakthrough for Philippine conservation. It helps research and conservation groups translate our advocacy to Filipino public—volunteerism, conservation and environmental education. The show becomes a bridge that helps deliver science-based research to the community,” Cynthia Adeline Layusa, program manager of Isla Biodiversity Conservation Inc., said. Apart from presenting a story, Born to be Wild raises possible solutions to biodiversity-related problems. Ideas are often based on what researchers, scientists, experts and nongovernmental organizations have studied.

“With many Filipinos realizing that they are an integral part of nature and that their fate is tightly linked with biodiversity, people from various sectors are taking their own steps to show their love for biodiversity,” said Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executive director of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity.

Here, we share some stories of how individuals show their love for the web of life.

“At my very young age, I have already seen a lot of destructive activities like kaingin, quarrying, illegal logging, smoke belching, littering, and burning of garbage, which all cause climate change. Climate change is contributing to pain that mother earth is suffering right now.

What can a 4th grader do to save mother earth? As a contribution, my family and I decided to plant vegetables and fruits at our backyard. We also segregate our non-biodegradable and biodegradable garbage. All biodegradable garbage are being dumped at our backyard to serve as our natural fertilizer. We also try to conserve water and electricity in our home. In my own little way I am helping to preserve our mother earth. That’s how I show my love for biodiversity.”

Ethan Zoe E. Tamis

Grade 4, St. Rita Morning Star Montessori School Inc.

“I am active on Environmental Advocacy and Conservation here in Palawan, and to help preserve and conserve the biodiversity of our country’s last ecological frontier I focus on giving information to my kababayan by organizing and facilitating the ecological workshop such as training for teachers, community, and youth about the importance of having an ecological balance. I also wrote a book on Basic Ecology that contain topic on the Importance of Biodiversity, and co-author of Climate or Collective Information about Atmosphere and Earth, as well as Punla, or Pagpapanumbalik ng Nasirang Parte ng Kapaligiran published by Palawan Conservation Corps, respectively.

Writing scripts on ecology and biodiversity and initiated to organize our ecological theater caravan in Puerto Princesa City. I am also a co-anchor on Environmental Radio Program in Palawan for five years entitled Mundo Ko ’To. Aside from these activities I am also involved in our community based environmental restoration and conservation where we vision to restore damaged areas of one ecosystems to help bring back the natural status of the environment and the biodiversity of this site. This is how I show my love to the environment particularly on the biodiversity side of ecosystems.”

Edong Magpayo

Executive Director Palawan Conservation Corps

“A journalism teacher’s true love for biodiversity can be done through one, or both, way[s]:  teach the undergraduate or graduate students the rudiments and implications of biodiversity and environmental sustainability, conversation, preservation and rehabilitation in the simplest terms so it becomes understood and appreciated by the younger generations.  There are no stupid questions on sustainable biodiversity and the environment—only ignorant inquirers—and that is not their fault. The teacher is the failure if he cannot make them understand due to his communication inefficiency.”

Guillermo H.A. Santos

Journalism and International Relations Professor Lyceum of the Philippines University

President/Trustee of the Center for Philippine Futuristics Studies and Management.

“As a business in the local community, Nissan Motor Philippines Inc. has constantly shown its commitment to the environment through initiatives that include proper waste management and tree-planting activities. We also promote love for biodiversity among the employees through small but significant ways. For example, while Earth Hour happens only once a year, we turn off lights at a certain hour every day to conserve energy. We are also encouraged to use less paper by printing only when necessary and using the reverse side of the paper. These and more efforts complement Nissan’s global green program, which seeks symbiosis of people, vehicles and the environment.”

Karla B. Tecson

Department Head Public Relations and Government Relations Nissan Motor Philippines Inc.

“I show my love for biodiversity by sharing information through social media. I share news and photos of Philippine wildlife on sites like Facebook and Twitter.”

Dana Rose Salonoy

Senior student, BS Development Communication University of the Philippines Los Baños