Youth groups heed calls for environmental issues
With the theme, “Sama-Samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagang Klima,” the youth accorded the city’s first climate change a rousing response, on its second presentation last week, Feb. 22, at the Baguio Cultural and Convention Center.
At least four hundred delegates from the city’s schools were in friendly competition as they presented their Mural group workshop synthesis focused on Baguio, its ecological and environmental issues. Barangay officials and other stakeholders present also participated actively in the summit.
The students’ heterogenous concerns were dissected as they come from diverse backgrounds with set objectives and values. In the end, all agree that Baguio is restorable and could be clean and green, if concerted efforts, albeit baby steps, against climate change and global warming is done immediately.
The group was first briefed by Assistant City Environment and Parks Management Officer (CEPMO) Engr. Marivic Empizo on the program’s rationale and other data on climate change.
Engr. Empizo noted erratic environmental activities such as wild forest fires, stronger hurricanes and typhoons, excessive rainfall, droughts while sea levels rise; evidence of the climate change crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic since 2020 also wrought havoc on waterways and landfills with improperly disposed microplastics from face masks, face shields and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), she said.
As per an Asian Development Bank (ADB) carbon footprint assessment, Baguio has 629,483 Tons equivalent of Carbon Dioxide in 2018. Baguio’s per capita emission is 53% higher than the national average.
Data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also shows the earth’s average surface in 2022 effectively ties with 2015 as the fifth recorded warmest year, Engr Empizo added.
She also emphasized that the majority of global warming and climate change comes from electricity, transportation, household activities and the use of fossil fuels, deforestation or change of land covers, solid and liquid waste disposal.
The sense of urgency should be heeded, Empizo said, and veer us; the earth and waters away from predictable and irreversible damage.
All should be aware of the progressing climate change, firmly grasp knowledge on the issues and concretize our actions together with all the stakeholders, she further said.
The concept of a big-small brother was also considered with the older audience to be mentors; while the students shared their creativity, technical-know-how and innovation.
Seeing the youth sector’s enthusiasm and active participation, Mayor Benjamin directed the re-echo of the climate change summit to city schools and universities through the CEPMO, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and other city offices to gain force multipliers in actions against global warming and climate change.
The first group that attended the climate change summit last February 9 are Punong barangays, the Climate change council, civic-social organizations and other stakeholders. – JGF
