PASIG CITY — Geothermal leader Energy Development Corp. engaged more than 700 Negrense youth once again on what it takes to have a greener future through the rerun of its GeoSkwela last week at the Luce Auditorium in Silliman University.
GeoSkwela is a pioneering campus event that aims to bring the youth closer to experts, academicians and inspirational figures who share the advocacy of cleaner energy and sustainability. It aims to continuously stimulate awareness, dialogue, and exchange of ideas on this topic in line with Negros Oriental’s commitment to cleaner energy sources, primarily geothermal.
These individuals served as mentors whose life and career experiences proved that sustainability is not only feasible or possible, but a way of life that is truly rewarding–not just for one’s self, but for others and the entire community.
The event kicked off Silliman University’s academic calendar and included Rhyn Esolana, a third year Foreign Affairs student, as one of the speakers. He was vice chairperson for the Environment of the Student Government, dedicated to environmental causes such as watershed management and biodiversity protection. He is co-founder of the student-led Project Balod marine conservation workshop.
EDC was represented by Miguel Lorenzo De Vera, head of its Strategic Initiatives, Legal & Regulatory Office, who imparted information on geothermal and the benefits of this renewable energy source, which is touted as the cleanest, most stable, and the energy of the future.
Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, adjunct professor in the SU Institute of Environmental & Marine Sciences and in the College of Engineering & Design, and Balik Scientist of the Department of Science & Technology, shared a wealth of information and knowledge he had gained as a globally-educated expert in the fields of climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, ecological solid waste management, and plastic pollution.
GeoSkwela’s special guest was Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell who related her personal and professional journey during her reign as an international beauty title holder representing pro-environment advocacies. She underscored the importance of using one’s influence and available platforms for communication to continuously engage the public for environmental causes.
The four speakers shared what the youth can do as individuals to be able to contribute to the protection of the environment and how they can take baby steps in living a sustainable lifestyle.
“With initiatives such as GeoSkwela, sustainability and environmental advocacy are more effectively entrenched in the grassroots level of academic communities and student bodies–ensuring that a greener and more stable energy future is a brighter prospect today more than ever,” said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility group in Negros Island.
EDC is the country’s premier renewable energy company and one of the world’s largest geothermal producers. Its geothermal facilities in Valencia has been providing clean, renewable, reliable power 24/7 to Negros Island and other parts of the Visayas region for over 36 years. (PR)
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});