Green Collar Jobs have become an emblem of a more sustainable economy and society that preserves the environment and at the same time protecting it. This is more equitable and inclusive of all people and levels that are sustainable.

However, many jobs which are green in principle but not green in practice due to the environmental damage caused by inappropriate practices. The notion of a green job is thus, not absolute, but there are shades of green and the notion will evolve over time.

What really is green and sustainable? It is meeting the needs of the current generation without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Its maximizing renewable resources, minimizing depletion of non-renewable resources and looking at the full-cycle of "cradle to cradle" of all we use, encompassing care for the environment, economic viability and social interaction, among others.

Water conservation and reuse, energy efficiency and waste management, "green revolution", organic foods, green spaces that contribute air quality, tree planting, green architecture, solar panels, wind turbines, mini-hydro, massive measures on marine environment preservation, etc. which promote growth of investments and businesses, jobs, scholarships, that puts together high, medium and low-income sectors of society within one vibrant community. The road to a sustainable and green development is long and winding.

Responsible living is trying to understand our planet's delicate and endangered ecological balance, finding efforts to take care of the environment and preserving it, and thus meeting the challenge to make the world a better place to live in.

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Tidbits:

Recently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to declare June 25, 2010 as the annual Day of the Seafarer in their conference on the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, held in Manila. This year is the Year of the Seafarer to honor the extra ordinary services the 1.5 million or more seafarers rendered by playing a vital role in transporting the daily needs of more than 6.5 billion people around the world. June 25 was chosen as Day of the Seafarer to mark the day that revisions to the convention were adopted and to acknowledge the unique contribution of seafarers to shipping, the world economy and society as a whole.

The International Maritime Bureau has extended its warning area for Somali piracy further East into the Indian Ocean and North to Suez. Crews are advise to be on alert always especially in waters where piracy is rampant. Furthermore, IMB reminds shipping to be on alert in waters up to 78 degrees East for there remains the possibility that piracy attacks will take place even further to the east of the high-risk area. There has been a recent increase in incidents in the Red Sea's Bab el-Mandeb straits. Pirates continue to be active even within the secured transit corridor through the Gulf of Aden. The Singapore-owned and flagged chemical tanker Golden Blessing, with a crew of 19 Chinese nationals, was within this area when hijacked on 28 June'10. The tanker was carrying highly toxic glycol-ethylene which is used in anti-freeze. Just recently, Somali pirates seized M/T Motivator, another chemical tanker with 18 Filipino seafarers on board.

Another year of God's blessing to B. Montelibano and B. Saycon. Greetings to P. Cojuangco, C. de Quiros, M. Balbin (NOYPI), Capt. R. Pines MM, Capt. N. Milo MM and Sr. Supt. J. Acierto PMA '89.

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"Never spend more time on a critic than you would give to a friend."