The United Nations Environment Program (Unep) hopes to speed up the shift to more energy-efficient appliances and equipment. The Efficient Appliances and Equipment Partnership is expected to reduce global energy demand by at least 10 percent and slow climate change, improve access to energy and save the world $350 billion annually in energy costs.
It will also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change, by 1.25 billion tons per year.
UN Undersecretary General and Unep Executive Director Achim Steiner says energy-efficient technologies “are available and ready for deployment.”
Unep reports that from 1990 to 2010, greater energy efficiency already reduced global energy demand by over 25 percent. It is estimated that the new program will mean electricity savings equivalent to 600 large power plants and over $500 billion worth of investments in power generation.
Breast cancer fight
While some doctors are unsure if Angelina Jolie’s decision to have both breasts removed will completely protect her against cancer, medical authorities agree it has brought awareness of the disease to a new level.
Reports say more women are undergoing tests for the genetic marker that identifies those at higher risk of the deadly disease. Until an effective and permanent cure is developed, prevention, vigilance and early detection remain the best defense against cancer of any kind.
Avon, the company that owes much of its success to women, once again highlights the importance of cancer prevention and early detection through the 12th Avon Pink WAR (Walk And Run) against Breast Cancer on Oct. 12 at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
It is part of the Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer 2014 campaign, Avon’s way of giving back to its loyal patrons. Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer among women.
Avon Philippines president and general manager Julie Tatarczuk says everyone has to join the campaign “because cancer can hurt the people we love.”
Registration fee, inclusive of Avon WAR Kit, is P550 for the 5K run and P700 for the 10K. For the walk, the fee is P299, inclusive of a WAR shirt. Supporters can buy a limited-edition Skin-So-Soft Lotion at P300.
Proceeds will go to the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center and select provincial hospitals. Supporting the campaign are Philippine Cancer Society, GMA Network Inc., SM and Ford Philippines.
Anti-scam initiative
Smart subscribers can now make sure they are sending Pasaload to the right person. Before any transaction is finalized, they will be asked to confirm it.
“Load will only be transferred once the subscribers send YES to 808 within 15 minutes,” Smart says. Failure to respond within that period will cancel the transaction. The same security feature is also in place for Sun Cellular’s Give-A-Load transactions.
Smart says additional security and proactive measures like this as well as education campaigns have reduced the number of Pasaload scams. It says it is also closely coordinating with the police and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Smart reminds subscribers that 808 is the Pasaload number. Scammers who succeed in getting free prepaid load sell it to others.
Subscribers can learn more about scams and report scam incidents to www.smart.com.ph/smart2know. They can also call the hotline *888 through their mobile phones or send a message to the @smartcares Twitter account. Scams may also be reported to the NTC One-Stop Public Assistance Center, tel. nos. 9213521 or 9267722, or by e-mail to ospac@ntc.gov.ph.
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail lbolido@inquirer.com.ph.