MANILA, 14 August 2020 — “All of us have an important role to play—including the youth, whose creativity and activism are fueling the global climate and environment movement at a scale we have never seen before. Providing this platform for the youth empowers them to effectively communicate the climate and environmental crisis effectively and to pursue their own climate action initiatives.”

This was the message of Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman, delivered by the CCC’s Strategic Partnership Division Chief Alexis Lapiz, during the sixth episode of Usapang Liguasan: Online Environmental Learning Sessions streamed via Facebook Live in celebration of International Youth Day.

“Rest assured that we in the Climate Change Commission stand with you in upholding the Paris Agreement and its 1.5 degrees Celsius long-term temperature goal. Pursuant to our mandate under the law, we shall continue to bring everyone together to ensure a dynamic synergy as we pursue greener and more resilient pathways toward a sustainable future,” De Guzman added.

This episode of Usapang Liguasan, with the topic, “#ASuLongKabataan: Youth Engagement for Local and Global Action,” promoted best practices and initiatives of young Filipino leaders, underscored the importance of engaging the youth in local and global action, and encouraged the Bangsamoro youth to initiate programs geared towards local and global environmental justice and governance.

Asec. Victor Del Rosario of the National Youth Commission and Mr. Pieter Terpstra, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also delivered inspirational messages. Mr. Val Amiel Vestil, Founder and Executive Director of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists, and Engr. Ludwig Federigan, Officer-in-Charge of the Information and Knowledge Management Divison of CCC, presented on youth climate initiatives.

“You're all ambassadors for the environment. You don't have to go through big things. You can take a small step to make changes in your life, for instance, choosing a more climate-friendly diet, consciously reducing your own carbon footprint, taking a bike instead of motorcycle and the bus, helping your communities, or growing your own food. There are countless ways that you can really start walking the talk,” said Terpstra, emphasizing how little things initiated by the youth can drive a huge difference in our country’s pursuit of sustainable development.

“Gone are the days when we have to wait for policy-makers, academic institutions, lawyers, engineers, or scientists, to make real affective change - nasa atin na pong mga kabataan [ang pagkakataon]. We have so much energy, we have so many innovative ideas inside our heads and inside our hearts, and we think we cannot effect change, but the truth of the matter is we, the youth, are in charge of effecting real change,” said Vestil.

The CCC said that it will continue to collaborate with the youth through its youth-oriented programs and projects to raise awareness, sustain movements, and innovate in all aspects of climate action in order to help achieve sustainable development and climate resilience for the country.