FOR the past five years, the Society of IRRI Nonresearch Professionals (Sinop) has given a face to environmental issues through their advocacy. Members of the group believe that people are the agents of sustainable and equitable development.

With the development communication students of University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Sinop recently launched a project that yielded sako-eco bags made from discarded rice sacks.

Practical ways

They were inspired by researcher Florencia B. Pulhin, who spoke about adapting simple and practical ways to overcome global warming: Walk, instead of using vehicles that emit carbon dioxide; plant more trees to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; save electricity and water, and avoid burning dry leaves, waste products and plastics.

As part of its environmental-education program, Sinop recently showed the National Geographic-produced film, ?Six Degrees Could Change the World,? in different schools and barangay (village) halls.

Sinop president Eva Pagkaliwagan Reyes reiterates Sinop?s support of IRRI?s seven-point environmental agenda that includes poverty and environment, farm chemicals and residues, land use and degradation, water use and quality, biodiversity, climate change and biotechnology. They serve the community by stimulating social awarenenss and enhancing the involvement of local politics in environmental protection.

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Interested in getting a copy of the film, ?Six Degrees Could Change the World?? Call 899-1767 or 896-3208.

E-mail mandynavasero@yahoo.com.