S anitation is traditionally defined as the “hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human-and-animal feces, solid wastes, domestic wastewater, industrial wastes and agricultural wastes.”

Adding “sustainable” to the term means having sanitation systems that not only protect and promote human health but also minimize environmental degradation and depletion of the resource base. They are technically and institutionally appropriate, socially acceptable, and economically viable in the long term (Stockholm Environmental Institute).

Tropical depression Ondoy did not only cause massive damage to life and property. It also showed the inadequacy of our sanitation systems. What happened is a wake up call that sustainable sanitation is now a matter of urgency. We must establish sustainable sanitation systems or else we could be buried in wastes. What can we do? Where shall we start?

On Oct. 14, 2009, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) will provide some answers. Guests are Dr. Gunilla Brattberg, director, EcoSanRes Programme, Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden; Takehiro Nakamura, director, UNEP-International Environmental Technology Center, Osaka and Shiga, Japan, and Ms. Lilia Casanova, EARTH Institute Asia trustee and project director, World Bank-funded DOH Project on Developing Sustainable Sanitation Education Programs in the Philippines. Dr. Cora Claudio, president, EARTH Institute Asia, will moderate the discussion in conversational Tagalog-English.

Tune in or watch KK! -- DZRH-AM radio (666 in Metro Manila, other kHz nationwide), TV (Ch. 9 in Metro Manila, other cable TV channels nationwide), and Internet (http://dzrh.tripod.com or http://dzrh.prepys.com. Join also the Quiz, contests, campaigns and projects of EARTH and KK! To join all, register at 2299: earth<space>your message. 

EARTH Institute Asia and DZRH co-produce the KK!, with the support of Unilever, Unilab, Toby's Sports, Delbros Supply Chain Solutions, Yehey.Com, MAP, and Brahma Kumaris, and with the cooperation of GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, PEIA, DENR, MabuhayRadio.com and other groups and individuals.  

Inquiries: 671-3266, 0917-829-1718, or earthinstitute@gmail.com.  # # #