Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Loyzaga has cited the important role of the youth in tackling climate change, urging young Filipinos to take an active role in crafting solutions to the ongoing climate crisis.
She made the call during an event at the DENR central office in Quezon City as part of the agency’s Earth Day celebration with the theme “Invest in our Planet, Invest in our Youth.”
Over 150 high school, college students, and teachers from Metro Manila attended the event.
“Invest in our youth. We are in the middle of an emergency — and that is the climate crisis. What we need to do with you, the youth, is to become part of the solution,” Loyzaga said.
“Every fraction of every degree counts and we all need to work together to prevent even that fraction of a degree of increase, in terms of our temperatures,” she added. She underscored the importance of participation of the youth.
“We all have the ability to make a difference, influence our country’s fight against the impacts of climate change and the degradation of our environment. Today is an opportunity for us to accelerate, speed up our climate action by showcasing all of our ideas, initiatives and solutions to achieve our country’s resilience on climate change and other hazards,”:she said.
DENR Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications Marilou Erni said the event served as an avenue to gather insights from young people in terms of the environmental issues and challenges they face in their communities.
As a way forward, Erni said the DENR plans to continue holding youth-centered programs, including collaborating with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, for more strategic partnerships that will go beyond awareness and translating this understanding and commitment into action.
