MANILA, 26 August 2020 —The 15th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways” will bring viewers back to “old school” sustainability practices that promote environmental stewardship, putting a spotlight on the link between climate change and environmental issues and the consumerist culture.
    
The episode, hosted by House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 27 August 2020, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/conglorenlegarda and facebook.com/CCCPhl/.
 
Young Filipino role models and practitioners of sustainability will join the online conversation, including Ms. Carol Malasig, journalist and content writer of the blog ‘Almost Diplomatic’; Ms. Armi Millare, founder and creative director at Stoa Studios;  Ms. Niña Opida and Mr. Josef Werker, co-founders of Humble Sustainability; and Ms. Aimee Oliveros, a Climate Reality Leader and owner of RE-Store MNL, a zero waste store (Refill-Reuse-Recycle).
 
In previous episodes, the Stories online series tackled food gardening, saving seeds, permaculture, good nutrition and diet, youth climate activism, sustainable urban mobility, and planting native trees in order to teach citizens to be self-sustainable and self-sufficient.
 
This upcoming episode will feature simple and doable sustainability practices that have been passed down through generations, including growing food at home, using natural shampoo and cleansers, re-using bottles, containers and newspapers, reducing food waste, using hand-me-downs, and turning old shirts into cleaning rags.

Such  attitudes and practices of consuming less, reducing wastage, and thriftiness are basic principles in promoting the circular economy aimed towards reducing humanity’s carbon footprint.
 
Tomorrow’s episode is an opportunity to encourage younger generations of Filipinos to rediscover and continue traditional sustainable practices which are embedded in our own culture, especially with the economy moving towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, "Stories for a Better Normal" aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.
  
This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation.