CCC, OMLC convene climate change webinar for the youth

To facilitate knowledge exchange and deepen the understanding and appreciation of the youth on climate science and climate change, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) in partnership with the Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Center spearheaded the Kaalamang Klima: A Climate Change Webinar-Workshop for the Youth held last September 22 via online platforms.

The webinar featured lectures from climate experts Dr. Rodel Lasco, Executive Director of the OML Center; Dr. Emma E. Porio, Project Leader and Principal Investigator of Coastal Cities at Risk: Investing in Climate and Disaster Resilience (CCARPH), Ateneo de Manila University; and Dr. Noralene Uy, member, experts pool, National Resilience Council and Researcher and International Recovery Platform Secretariat, on the basics and science of climate change and climate action.

“The climate is changing due to human activities–that is the conclusion of the IPCC report. It will be much worse in the future if we don’t do anything about it. It is still in our hands, we can still do something about it, and therefore, we must do something about it. This is the challenge I leave with you, the youth, you are in the forefront of addressing the challenge of climate change,” said Dr. Lasco.

“We are located in the Pacific ring of fire, but this region is also the most dynamic region. There’s rising prosperity and also widening inequality, so we must contribute to constructing a resilient and sustainable future wherein everyone can claim their own space to be safe, to create, and to produce,” said Dr. Porio.

“I would like to invite the future generation to contribute in whatever you can to climate action through mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building. You can do action, but first and foremost, be a climate-literate person by joining a forum like this and understand the essential principle of the Earth’s climate system as well as climate and disaster risks,” said Dr. Uy.

To engage deeper with the youth, Ms. Lea Guerrero, Greenpeace Philippines Country Director, and Mr. Julio Galvez Tan, Center for Empowerment and Resource Development Executive Director, shared their experiences in raising climate awareness initiatives on the ground, and challenged the youth to take a more active role in addressing the climate crisis.

“We have excitement over the growing movement of youth during these days na kailangan na talaga nating umaksyon kasi maliit na yung window of opportunity to address the climate crisis. Ang pinakamahalagang solusyon is for us to stand in solidarity to mobilize, to join these actions, para makinig na ang mga korporasyon at mag-transform into green and just recovery para ma-address ang climate crisis,” said Ms. Guerrero.

“My challenge to the youth: what will be your contribution to address the impacts of climate change for our fishers and farmers? How can we make the livelihoods of farmers and fishers resilient to climate change?  I’m urging you to act NOW,” said Mr. Tan.

Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, National Youth Commission Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Ryan Enriquez, and CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera also delivered their messages during the program.

“We’ve seen the effects of the old normal to nature, our planet, and our climate. Returning to the old ways of waste, pollution, and overconsumption should never be an option. We must seize the opportunity to responsibly manage our environment and to lead the way towards a resilient, green, and sustainable development,” said Deputy Speaker Legarda.

“Ngayon pa lang ay dapat tayong makialam at sumali sa usapin ng climate change. Dapat tayong humanap ng solusyon sa malaking problema na ito habang pwede pa itong bigyan ng lunas. Huwag nating hintaying lumubog ang ating paligid, masira ang kalikasan, mapaso ang ating mundo, at mamatay ang marami dahil sa climate change,” said Usec. Enriquez.

“Climate change conversations should go far beyond rising temperatures, the 1.5-degree threshold, or the newest technologies. It also has a lot to do about understanding our history or how this came about, what is our responsibility as a sector, and the values that we have to uphold. Climate change understanding is formative, because at the end of the day, it is thinking beyond the present, thinking beyond oneself, and valuing the lives of others,” said Herrera.

With more than 400 youth participated through Zoom and Facebook Live, the activity aims to tap youth support for the second edition of the Klima Film Festival this year, which targets to mainstream the effects of climate change through films written and produced by the Filipino youth.