MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 22, 2011) – More than 200 Filipino children and youths gathered Tuesday in Pasay City for a national forum on climate change organized by the Climate Change Commission.
The national youth workshop, as part of the first carbon neutral event in the Philippines, was held at the SMX Mall of Asia Convention Centre. It was organized by the Climate Change Commission in partnership with Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project, National Youth Commission, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Council for the Welfare of Children, UNICEF-Philippines and USAID-Philippines.
In a message sent for the national gathering, Nobel Laureate and former United States Vice President Al Gore, said that “it is events like yours today that will empower our youth to reach new heights and take on the challenge of climate change.”
“As you know very well, climate change will have significant impact on the Philippines. It’s important for young people to learn about the science and prepare to action. As an island nation, you are vulnerable to rising seas, intense storms, and the loss of ocean resources that provide food and economic opportunities to all Filipinos,” explained Gore, who also heads the global climate campaign The Climate Reality Project.
The climate youth workshop dubbed as Pinoy+Youth+Power in a Changing Climate is part of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week with the theme “Creating Convergence on Climate Change.” It aims to mainstream the participation of Filipino young people and children in addressing the challenges of the climate crisis.
“Engaging with the young people is a priority of the Commission as they are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change in which they face today making their future at stake,” said Commissioner Lucille Sering, Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission.
Sering said it is necessary to let the young people discuss within themselves the hazards and challenges they are facing due to the inconsistencies of climate. Through a series of workshops and interactive inputs, the young delegates are able to understand the basics of climate science, simple solutions and advocacies to secure their future, she said.
A national youth climate change agenda had been discussed and approved by the delegates to mainstream their significant participation in implementing the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Abraham Menguria, 17, of Cavite province, said he was honored and humbled to participate in the workshop.
“I am nervous but glad because I know our contribution to this activity will have a significant impact for the present and future generations to come; it is a challenge, indeed!” Menguria, who was sponsored by the World Vision, said.
The Climate Reality Project’s presenter and international environment youth speaker Alec Loorz, of Kids vs. Global Warming and Hamzah Ramadhan of Incovenient Youth Indonesia, also shared their climate crisis advocacies through less-carbon video messaging and online video conference.
“Indeed, the young people are vulnerable to the effects of climate crisis which may burn their future. It is their future which is at stake and together through this event, they would be able to mold this future and make the world a better place to live in,” said The Climate Reality Project’s Philippine District Manager Rodne Galicha.
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