Classrooms to climate action for World Environment Day

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By Ritchel Cahilig

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – As World Environment Day 2026 places an urgent global focus on climate action, the Earth continues to send clear signals through rising seas, higher temperatures, and increasingly frequent extreme weather.

As these global challenges are debated in international summits, a quiet but critical response is emerging in classrooms along our coasts in the Philippines.

Through the Junior Sea Guardian Project (JSGP), the Haribon Foundation is demonstrating that long-term climate resilience is built early, translating environmental awareness into community action.

Implemented across vulnerable coastal schools in Aklan, Antique, Quezon, and nearby areas, JSGP moves environmental education out of textbooks and into the hands of children.

“One of the most memorable experiences for me and my students was participating in a sea turtle conservation activity,” shares Abegail Dimalaluan, a teacher-facilitator at Lipata-Lamputong Integrated School in Antique province.

“During our field activity, we unexpectedly encountered live sea turtles, which made the experience even more meaningful. The students immediately showed concern for the wildlife and became eager to learn about their protection.”

One of the students, Franz Geradila, shared, “I enjoyed the activity so much because we saw a sea turtle, I also learned sea turtles are born on land yet live in the sea.”

Moving beyond the classroom

For participating schools, the project has turned local ecosystems into living laboratories through hands-on coastal clean-ups, habitat exploration, and student-led campaigns.

“Through the program, our learners are taught to become responsible stewards of the environment, especially our oceans and marine life,” says Norma Basquiñas Gamboa, faculty member of Dinahican Elementary School in Infanta, Quezon.

“We conducted activities on waste segregation, tree planting, and discussions on the harmful effects of improper waste disposal. As a result, I observed that the learners became more disciplined in disposing of waste properly.”

From awareness to lived responsibility

A core approach of the JSGP project was to transition students from basic environmental literacy to action. By exploring nearby coastlines, students confront real-world environmental challenges firsthand.

“One of the most memorable activities for our learners was the beach exploration,” explains Kit C. Magdaluyo of Manocmanoc Elementary School in Malay, Aklan.

“Many of them initially knew only a few marine species such as fish and hermit crabs, but through the activity, they discovered the rich diversity of life found along our coastlines. Another impactful activity was the mangrove ecosystem exploration, where learners saw pollution issues firsthand.”

He added, “This experience helped them realize the importance of becoming sea guardians not only as individuals but also as members of a community.”

Similarly, Kristel May Salomon of Capalong Elementary School in Real, Quezon, observed how these outdoor activities built essential character traits.

“Our students showed great enthusiasm during the JSGP activities, especially those conducted outdoors. They actively participated in waste management and marine conservation efforts and demonstrated responsibility, cooperation, and teamwork throughout the activities.”

A collective, sustained movement

The success of the initiative highlights a core Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principle: environmental action is most effective when it is collective, sustained, and locally rooted.

The impact of the project extends well beyond the student body, reshaping relationships between families, schools, and local governments.

“One of my biggest realizations from the project was the importance of the partnership among parents, the school, and the community,” reflects Reshel Durano Escareses of Alitas Elementary School in Infanta.

“Their support played a vital role in the successful implementation of our environmental activities. I also observed positive changes among our learners, particularly in their discipline and ability to apply what they learned both at home and in school.”

Expanding youth-led environmental activities

Looking ahead, Haribon aims to build this proof of concept into a nationwide movement, with the ultimate goal of supporting the Department of Education (DepEd) in institutionalizing these marine conservation principles and learning materials into the regular school curriculum.

The implementation and ongoing success of the Junior Sea Guardian Project is made possible through the vital support of the LifeBank Foundation, whose shared commitment to community empowerment and conservation education helps safeguard both coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of the next generation.

As the global community reflects on urgent climate targets this World Environment Day, these young coastal learners offer a powerful reminder: meaningful environmental action begins when local communities take responsibility for the ecosystems right outside their doors – from ridge to reef.

The author is the Project Manager of the Junior Sea Guardian Project under the Haribon Foundation