In the service of the youth, this year’s summer camp aims to promote Green Chemistry including responsible minerals development and its practical applications which aims to promote sustainable development in the Philippines and research and development among the youth indulging Science and Technology.

                Science and Technology are vital in our everyday lives. It yields to greater innovation and development in a community, country and state. It includes the applications of the ideas and concepts in Science. Output-based experiments, lectures and experience in the real world complete one’s knowledge in the field Science and Technology.

                Indeed, Science and Technology is everywhere. Still, if you look around and see the benefits it has bestowed upon us, yet there are harmful effects leading to the degradation of the Earth’s resources. Think and reflect on the disasters and catastrophes striking our country. Imagine the continuous depletion of our resources, particularly in the mineral aspects. Is this the life you want your children to inherit?

                The Philippines is truly rich in natural resources. Our natural resources should be used properly and efficiently. There’s a limit in everything may it be land, Water or air Resources. Consume these resources according to one’s needs not for the luxury of life.

                Millions of tall mountains covered with thick rainforests where species of all kinds seek shelter and survival which became one of our country’s major natural resources. Gold, diamond, silver, sapphire, platinum and other world-renowned precious minerals dug within the soil of the chain of mountains across the country are ready to be mined and converted into sparkling jewelries from head to toe and other high-costing things obtained from mining. Sadly, day to day our mountains are slowly depleting due to the misuse and extravagant life humans wanted. In a snap of time, it may disappear. Can we really do something that matter to the Earth, especially on the rapid accumulation of its mineral resources? In the universal scale, no. The Big Blue Marble will continue to spin, evolve and sustain life no matter what we do. But, we can do something to help minimize the terror of the effects of both natural and man-made massive destruction leading to the lost of natural resources.

                Illegal mining should be stopped at all cost. We only have limited nonrenewable mineral resources remained untapped for future use but greedy people nowadays tend to steal and use up everything left. Methods such as using dynamites and bombs to find an easier way to mine minerals underground should not be allowed by the government and private-owned companies due to several reasons. First, species of all sizes would be endangered since they live within the mountains or they tend to migrate in search for food and eventually die because of the widespread destruction of mountains where people mine for these minerals. Second, the nutritive additives present in the soil are degrading because of the exposure of the upper layer of soil in mountains.

                Science and technology could enhance the strengthening of Responsible Development in our Mineral Resources by inculcating and introducing immediate solutions in minimizing the vexing critical problem on the mining industry. Introducing an alternative method of excavating mineral resources without harshly affecting the soil could be one of the solutions. Reducing the building of underground subways and malls for nonfunctional valid reasons could be minimized.

                We could also compost our wastes to conver them into soil additives and fertilizers to lengthen the presence of minerals found within the soil and used in the industrial aspect. We can also avoid the use of chemicals such as pesticides in the soil because too much of it may loosen the soil’s mineral and nutrients thus not effective to be used in planting crops.

                Silicon found in the sand may be used in microchips and other hi-tech gadgets of today’s generation. Silicon is indeed one of the product of our mineral resources. Further research could invent more gadgets in no time using silicon-based materials.

                Science, technology and sustainability are the foundations for responsible minerals development but we, the youth of today’s generation, are the builders to make this possible. All we need is a little push to start doing it now.

                We can achieve sustainable development if we work together in strong camaraderie. We are the future and use our life as an instrument to make a difference.