Apptech solutions to climate change

Several appropriate technology projects made by SACLAT were displayed at the UP Bahay ng Alumni last July 5-6. It was part of the “Understanding and Addressing Climate Change: An exhibit of education and climate change responses of grassroots movements and communities”, spearheaded by AGHAM, PACC (Peoples Action on Climate Change) and Climate Asia Pacific. It was a simultaneous event with the International Festival of People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS).

The exhibit was a venue for different grassroots organizations to showcase their initiatives and mitigation strategies for climate change. For its part, PNFSP displayed several apptech projects, including a rice dryer prototype. Many observers were attracted by its low-cost materials and convenience. Farmers can still dry their harvested palay during the rainy season and the process would only take 2 hours instead of the usual whole day. A video presentation entitled “Making a Lorena Stove” was also shown, giving the viewers a step-by-step guide on how it is made. This type of stove is very appropriate in rural communities since it uses wood instead of gas for fuel, emits less smoke and is sustainable since it is made of clay and can be easily repaired. Pictures of other apptech projects were also displayed, such as: pedalled corn grinder for household-level production; rocket stoves made from recycled tin cans; a rainwater catchment jar which stores up to 200 liters of water; and the hydraulic project of CDPC which is used by the community for irrigation.

Photographs of TABI’s Community Tree Planting project and Clean and Green Campaign were also displayed as mitigation strategies for climate change.  IDPIP-ST also provided pictures of the different Mangyan tribes also shown in the exhibit.  Images depicted the Mangyan’s  weaving process and their indigenous root crops.  Mangyan woven cloth and their traditional coin purses were also sold as part of IDPIP-ST’s income generating projects.