Hack The Climate Manila: Eco-Hacktivists Gather to Save the World

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Hack the Climate Manila, recognized as the very first environment-themed hackathon, was a total of 58 hours of continuous software development setting the record for the longest hackathon to develop apps for NGOs for the battle against climate change. I just don't know if the attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the longest hackathon was achieved since I didn't see the presence of a representative from Guinness. In partnership with Princeton University's Pace Center for Civic Engagement.

The hackathon, held last June 6 to 8, 2014 at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde, brought together professional and student developers, designers, and environmental activists who think about the challenges climate change will pose, today & 100 years from now. They were tasked to develop mobile and web applications dedicated to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. The organizers envision that the apps developed at the hackathon could be utilized long after the hackathon concludes.

The two Princeton University juniors Mechanical Engineer Jacob Scheer and Economist Miguel Lachanski, along with Filipino technology specialist Diego Jose Ramos, plus all the other individuals responsible in organizing this hackathon, must be very proud of the outcome. Since finding solutions against Climate Change has always been almost everyone's advocacy especially the NGOs who are there to protect the environment and its natural resources, many have the keen interest to participate in related advocacy programs. Though the effort is not enough to be complacent because the very little few that exploit our environment are apparently more powerful, resourceful and influential. We may all need to combine our forces and really boost our efforts to go against these misguided elements of society.

At a blogger conference last week, Jacob summarized the team's vision, "A changing climate doesn't care if you're Filipino or American, it affects all of us equally. We believe that the solution also must be a joint effort where people of different backgrounds work together to discover new solutions to the environmental problems we face."

True enough, the world's problem cannot be solved by one man alone. The famous line of "No man is an island" is a universal truth that everyone should remember. We should be collaborating with people who share the same interests and aiming for a common goal.

Some of the speakers who graced the hackathon were Sheila Castillo who talked about the realities existing in our climate, ABS-CBN Foundation's Gina Lopez who advocates eco-tourism as a better source of income to help the locals steer away from mining thus protecting the environment and eventually reinforce the fight against climate change,  Paul Pajo from Smart presented the Hackmaster's Address, Ruben Muni from Greenpeace talked about the local climate change context, Antonio Maralit from DLSU discussed some environmental concerns, Mario Muyco briefed the participants about SMS API, Dr. Aldrin Mallari of Fauna and Flora International elaborated on biodiversity conservation, AG Sano urged the developers to help to save the world, Kevin de la Cruz of ANSA East Asia and the Pacific talked about his experiences in disasters and gave suggestions to the eco-hacktivists to develop apps that can help in disasters, Chuck Baglagon of GreenPeace talked about using the Internet as a political leveling agent, Earl Valencia of Ideaspace talked about Technopreneurship, plus a lot more speakers that shared their insights and ideas to help the participants decide on the app they will develop and present to the judges.

 

 

Some of the interesting projects at the Hack the Climate Manila hackathon was an anti-mining site developed by Team Minesweepers. It has the capability to report violations, inform people about the bad effects of mining and showcase the beauty of the Philippines.Team Instigators presented Tanaw, a geo-tagging social network with features like badges, gamification, and time lapse viewing of a tourist or any location. It looked so promising that one of the judges asked them how many years are they willing to commit to the app.

Incidentally, it brought home the grand prize as the most promising app of the hackathon.


There was also a motion detection game for anti mining awareness and tree planting, a carbon footprint tracking social media site from Team Lays, a mapping and txt messaging system called Sagip which uses the Chikka SMS API from Team Maligaya, a mobile app that aims to unite environmental "agents" on missions that will make a difference in the battle against climate change created by Team 4 Leaf Clover who named the app as "AGENTS OF C.H.A.N.G.E", a "Save A Tree" arcade game that raise awareness about deforestation developed by Team Tidiburr (yes! the guys with a huge white Teddy Bear at their work area), an automated water sprinkling system based on soil moisture to save water and energy, and a wind-based device that helps jeepneys generate power.

 

There is only one world we live in, and until the nearby planets in our solar system are not yet capable to sustain human life, then we only have one choice but to take care of our planet Earth the best way we can. We have to remain vigilant and truly observant if we want to retain the planets nurturing capability before it get totally exploited by self-serving individuals who would care less about the environment.

I was not at the third day during the awarding ceremonies because I was doing a hotel review so I will just update this blog article with the list of all winners as soon as I can get my hands on it.

But overall, I am impressed with the turn-out of participants and the quality of speakers that comprised the hackathon. May this be only the beginning of more Hack the Climate Manila until we have all solved our environmental problems #HackTheClimate #WazzupPilipinas

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