24 September 2021 — On the day of the global climate strikes, young Filipino climate activists demanded the government to hold corporations accountable for the worsening climate conditions, to secure a safer future for the youth and vulnerable communities.
The call came following the release of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s latest Synthesis Report on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of 113 countries, which shows that the current contributions would warm the planet by 2.7 degrees Celsius—significantly higher than the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold under the Paris Agreement.
Reacting to the report, young Filipino activists echoed how lack of urgency and accountability among governments and big polluting corporations heightened “climate anxiety,” a global phenomenon among young individuals[1]. A recent study pre-published in Lancet Planetary Health showed that 92 percent of youth in the Philippines believe that the “future is frightening” while 68 percent believe that the government is “failing young people” on climate action.
Arnold Onrubia, 29, of The Solon Project said: “Being a country among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the Philippine Government needs to step up its efforts in sustaining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. That [young] people around the world are hesitant to have children as a result of the climate crisis and fear that governments are doing too little to prevent climate catastrophe is a wake-up call for all countries, particularly the Philippines, to fast track programs and policies in fulfilling and strengthening their NDCs.”
Jochelle Magracia, 18, convenor of the Young Bataenos Environmental Advocacy Network, cited how the day-to-day struggles of the coal-impacted community in Brgy. Lamao in Limay, Bataan endangers the young people’s future.
“As a young member of the community, my family and I have long been suffering from the coal business that has violently caused environmental degradation due to the massive pollution emitted by the [nearby] plant,” Magracia said. “Minsan hindi ko maiwasan na magtanong sa aking sarili, paano namin mapanghahawakan ang ating kinabukasan sa sitwasyong ito? Ayaw kong masanay na lamang sa ganitong sitwasyon at sa sa epekto nito sa tao at kalikasan.”
Jefferson Estela, 23, lead convenor for the Youth Strike for Climate Philippines said: “Unfortunately, I am skeptical about the possibility of true change. [E]ven while the findings [of the NDC report] aren’t surprising, it’s difficult not to notice the same patterns: news headlines about the need for immediate action emerging and then disappearing, people making tiny lifestyle changes, and others giving up.”
Climate strikers, such as Joshua Villalobos, 19, convenor of Youth for Climate Hope, are also worried about climate-destructive projects in the pipeline, including the fossil gas expansion.
“Dito sa Negros, nagkaroon ng isang napakalaking victory para sa kabataan kung saan nag-declare ang governor na ang Negros ay gagawing coal-free province. Ngayon, nagpaplano ang mga malalaking kumpanya para sa fossil gas. Pinaparamdam namin ngayon na handa muling lumaban ang mga kabataan.”
While the youth are expressing distress, anger, and frustration over insufficient systemic climate action, the youth continue to call for accountability and solutions to protect vulnerable communities.
“Kailangan nang tuldukan ating dependence sa fossil fuel. At magsisimula ito sa pag-recognize na ang malalaking korporasyon at biggest polluters ay merong accountability sa paglala ng klima, at meron silang mga violation sa ating human rights,” Villalobos said. “We are on our deadliest deadline. Ilang bagyo na ang lumipas, ilang tonelada ng greenhouse gas emissions na ang na-emit, ilang komunidad na ang nagsa-suffer. Nasa climate emergency tayo, kapag nasa climate emergency, mabilis dapat tayong kumilos.”
“I’m encouraged by the reactions I’ve received from my friends and acquaintances on what we should do next based on the report. But the government should also do the same since they are not reacting on the report after its release,” Estela said.
“Nananawagan din kami sa mabilis na pag transition ng bansa tungo sa paggamit ng malinis at sustenableng pinagkukuhanan ng kuryente, partikular ng renewable energy. Malaking usapin ito na may kinalaman sa kinabukasan ng aming mga kabataan at hindi ito ang oras upang kami ay manahimik lamang,” Magracia said.
Greenpeace Philippines is in solidarity with these young Filipinos in demanding the government to uphold climate justice by holding big polluters accountable for driving the climate crisis. The government must also ensure a transition to resilient and efficient food, energy, and transport systems, and uphold active citizen participation. It must put people at the core of local and national policy-making.
“When the youth calls for actions, those in power must listen. Our call for accountability is a call for the protection of entire generations. We refuse to inherit a dying planet where anxiety is looming over hope,” Greenpeace Campaigner Kisha Muana said.
Notes
[1] A study pre-published early this month reported that among 10,000 respondents aged 16-25 from 10 countries,the majority were “worried about climate change (59% very or extremely worried, 84% at least moderately worried). Over 50% felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty. Over 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning, and many reported a high number of negative thoughts about climate change.”
Contact
Angeli Cantillana
Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +63 998 595 9733
Filipinos are enduring the worst impacts of climate change, caused by greedy corporations. It’s time to hold them to account!