YES-O DLANHS

24/07/2026

Gi-ghost ka? Diri sa YES-O, ang tanom ra among gi-grow, dili false hopes☺️.

24/07/2026

23/07/2026

Meet the Officers of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O)🍃

We are proud to introduce the dedicated student leaders who will lead YES-O this school year. Together, they are committed to promoting environmental awareness, inspiring sustainable practices, and making a positive impact in our school and community.

Interested in joining YES-O? Feel free to approach any of our officers—we’d be happy to welcome you to the club. Let’s work together to protect and care for our environment! 💚

21/07/2026

💚 Morning Eco-Talk 💚
Yesterdays environmental reminder was proudly delivered by our YES-O Vice President, encouraging everyone to take small steps toward protecting our planet. Every action counts! 🌿♻️

18/07/2026

TOXIC WATERS, DYING REEFS

A scientific assessment has confirmed continuing ecological degradation in Bais Bay, part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape—the Philippines’ largest marine protected area—following the collapse of a containment lagoon at an ethanol facility that released molasses-based wastewater.

Marine scientists from Silliman University documented recently killed coral colonies, deteriorating seagrass beds, algal blooms, and declining water quality in North Bais Bay. Recently killed corals accounted for up to 69% of the total coral cover in some of the reef areas assessed.

The environmental decline was linked to the prolonged discharge of vinasse, a high-organic-load byproduct of ethanol production. This wastewater can fuel algal blooms that consume dissolved oxygen needed by corals, seagrasses, fish, and other marine organisms.

Initial surveys estimated that approximately 4,494 to 6,000 hectares of marine and coastal waters were affected by the wastewater spill.

Scientists emphasized that rehabilitation efforts will remain ineffective unless the wastewater source is stopped. Oceana has called for accountability, environmental restoration, and stronger measures to prevent further damage to the protected seascape.

18/07/2026

Deep in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, scientists discovered a remarkable fungus with an extraordinary ability—it can survive by feeding on plastic.

Known as Pestalotiopsis microspora, the fungus was identified while researchers were studying microorganisms living inside rainforest plants. What made it stand out was its ability to break down polyurethane, one of the world’s most common and difficult-to-decompose plastics. Polyurethane is widely used in furniture foam, insulation, adhesives, coatings, and many everyday products.

The fungus accomplishes this by producing specialized enzymes that break the strong chemical bonds holding polyurethane together. Once those bonds are broken, the fungus can digest the plastic and use it as a source of energy.

Researchers also found another surprising trait. Unlike many organisms, Pestalotiopsis microspora can continue breaking down polyurethane even in low-oxygen or oxygen-free environments. This means it could potentially work in places such as landfills, where huge amounts of plastic waste accumulate.

The discovery attracted global attention because plastic pollution is one of the world’s fastest-growing environmental problems. Most conventional plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, gradually breaking into microplastics that contaminate soil, rivers, oceans, and even the food chain.

However, scientists emphasize that this fungus is not an instant solution to the global plastic crisis. Successfully breaking down plastic in a laboratory is very different from processing millions of tons of waste in real-world conditions. Researchers are still investigating how efficiently the fungus works, whether its enzymes can be mass-produced, and how the technology could be used safely on an industrial scale.

Even so, the discovery serves as a powerful reminder that nature still holds many untapped solutions. Protecting biodiversity doesn’t just preserve wildlife—it may also safeguard biological innovations that could help solve some of humanity’s greatest environmental challenges.

17/07/2026

🌿 Welcome to the very first meeting of D’ Naturalists! 🌱

Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey as we come together with a shared passion for protecting and caring for our environment. Here’s to new ideas, meaningful teamwork, and making a positive impact-one step at a time.

“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” —Lady Bird Johnson