TFA APAC Summit: Climate x Education

It has been ten years since I became part of the inaugural cohort of Teach for the Philippines. It was one of the most difficult jobs ever because we attempted to provide quality education while trying to deal with bureaucracy, lack of resources, and poverty in its different forms. Unsurprisingly, similar problems were also faced by the alumni of the Teach for All Network in Asia-Pacific whom I got to meet and interact with during the Alumni Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It was exhilarating to be among passionate leaders in the field of education. Though some of us are no longer directly involved in education, like myself, the commitment towards nation-building and education equity is still there.

The summit mainly revolved around the theme of “The Future of Learning in a Rapidly Changing World.” Technological disruption is one challenge emphasized but I managed to put a spotlight on the climate crisis, a defining issue of our time. I spoke about how teachers and educators can take action through climate education. Teachers are in a good position to raise awareness about the cause of climate change (that is the increase of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities), and its impacts (rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, strong typhoons, droughts, among others).

Climate change definitely affects the education sector particularly students and children. Classes are usually disrupted and schools are turned into evacuation centers during the occurrence of typhoons in the Philippines. An average of 20 typhoons hit the country each year. No wonder the Philippines was ranked first among countries with the highest disaster risk worldwide in 2022. Children in the Philippines are at extremely high risk from the impacts of the climate crisis, according to UNICEF. The youth are also experiencing climate anxiety with 92% of Filipino youth believing the future is frightening.

Despite this doom and gloom outlook, teachers can put forward a message of hope. That collectively, we could address the climate crisis and work towards a resilient and regenerative future. There are a lot of things to be done but the presence of these education leaders during the summit is a good indication and is an assurance that together, we can shape the future we want.

Photo Credit: Akansha Shrivastava

Coping with the COP26 cop out

‘How many COPS to arrest climate chaos?’ screams a banner hanging outside the premises of the Blue Zone where COP26 negotiations are happening. Dubbed by critics as the most exclusive COP ever, access to the actual negotiations was limited which could be because of the pandemic but there should have been a better way of making sure the voices of the marginalized and those most affected by climate impacts are heard.

Civil society groups sure did their part of amplifying the call for climate justice. There were protests around the COP26 venues, all over Glasgow, and all over the world. The ‘Global Day of Action for Climate Justice’ in particular has shown the strength of the climate movement. I joined the march in Glasgow and I was amazed to see the commitment of so many people who never minded the cold and the rain.

I volunteered for COP26 Coalition, which organized the People’s Summit. To me, this was the real COP. It served as a platform for movements and communities to discuss real solutions to the climate crisis, as opposed to greenwashing and delaying tactics happening at the exclusive zone.

I was also able to help out in the activities of the Climate Reality Project. In partnership with Climate Cafe, we created a space where we can talk about the climate crisis and share our climate stories. This would have been perfect for the Green Zone, an area dedicated for civil society groups and the public but it ended up being dominated by businesses and corporations. This theme carried out to the Blue Zone which seemed like an unnecessary display of extravagance with the towering pavilions of nations and organizations.

In the end, the result of COP26 was disappointing, as expected. The consolation for me was I managed to go to various side events – a ceilidh, art exhibitions, a meditation session, and various panel discussions, among others. Being around fellow advocates also gave me the much needed hope to press on.

‘How many COPS to arrest climate chaos?’ Are the COPS simply an attempt to show that something is being done about the crisis? To be fair, there has been progress but it is just too slow. Psychological distance, perceived size or significance of climate impacts, and uncertainties affect climate response. Add to that the complexity of companies and countries heavily invested in the carbon economy. So where coordinated global effort is yet to be seen, the work continues on the ground.

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A taste of alternative living in the UK

I woke up feeling the cold and smelling a hint of smoke from the yurt’s wood stove. I was proud of myself for being able to make the fire the previous night which, mind you, is not as easy as it seems. It was still dark but I decided to get out of bed and embrace the stillness of the morning as I await the sunrise.

I prayed for a sunny day, as everyone does, while preparing my usual breakfast of coffee and porridge. The day then came alive with farm activities which mostly consisted of harvesting potatoes, carrots, squash (of different varieties), beet root, swede, and leeks among others. These then were prepared for the CSA (community supported agriculture) members. On other days, we do some weeding, propagating, transplanting, and seed-saving. Sometimes, I’d be on animal care duty ensuring that the pigs, chickens, and ducks are fed. There was a couple of days where I helped out with wood work, installing roof planks for a round house, a communal and activity area. I was totally out of my element but I enjoyed learning how to use power tools, and how to saw and hammer and all that.

This has been my routine when I spent a month in the Stanford Hall CSA farm; living off the land, off-grid, in what could be considered an alternative lifestyle. I’ve been interested in the whole food system and is involved in food-related advocacy initiatives back in the Philippines. One of the modules I was enrolled in for my master’s was Globalized Agriculture and Food Systems. We’ve also been talking about community living in my Sustainable Consumption class. So it was interesting to experience these first hand thanks to Workaway, a platform for cultural exchange, working holidays, and volunteering.

Being in nature was one of the things I really enjoyed in the farm. Somebody said people who usually come here are lost souls looking for healing and answers. I suppose I was seeking to reconnect with the wisdom of the land. Eating healthy food, fresh from the farm, prepared by individuals with their own take on different dishes was another perk of living here. But I especially cherished the deep connections I was able to make with people I met. It helps that we have shared values and a genuine concern for the planet and humankind. We talked about climate change, capitalism, political unrest, and all the troubles of the world. This alternative way of living is definitely a path towards regeneration and climate action but I recognize that this kind of life is not for everyone. Still, it gives me hope to learn that we do have the capacity to challenge the status quo and create a future we want centered around sustainability, wellbeing, kindness, and love. A future I definitely would want to be a part of.

COP26 is officially starting today and I fear that it will simply be all talk and no result. I believe global cooperation and all sectors working together are crucial in solving climate change. Achieving that is immensely challenging, but it is possible. If only we realize early enough to go back to basics, learn from the wisdom of the land, uphold social justice, and perhaps, give alternative living a try.

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Climate Justice Now

Not one, not two, but three typhoons have badly hit the Philippines just in the past few weeks. Because of climate change, these extreme weather conditions have been becoming more and more frequent. Despite that, a study found that climate change awareness is low among Filipinos.

In a lecture for our Climate Change and Development class, however, Asher Minns of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research said that generally there is enough climate awareness but not enough dialogue. Thus, we’re missing our climate targets, which also undermines the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

That may be okay for developed nations that are not greatly affected by climate change or can sufficiently adapt to climate impacts. It’s a different story for the Philippines. Strong typhoons will continue to be the norm. Floods will destroy properties and leave families homeless. Livelihood of farmers considered to be the poorest of the poor will be gone. And worst, this will lead to countless lives lost.

Good governance, effective Science communication, and community participation led to zero casualty in the Camotes Islands during the onslaught of typhoon Haiyan in 2013. These good practices, unfortunately, are not followed in most places in the Philippines which focus on disaster response instead of prevention. Glorifying the resilient Filipino spirit has even further led to government inaction.

Adaptation measures should be prioritised by climate-vulnerable countries but there should also be urgency towards global effort in reducing greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change .

But the question is, who is willing to take the lead? How can we untangle the complexity of climate politics and negotiations? And how can we overcome the psychological distance of those in power?

The climate crisis is a social justice crisis and it’s up to us to work together to re-strengthen our humanity. Our present and our future depend on it.

Photo Credit: George Buid

The Fight for Climate Justice

In the movie, “Parasite,” the rich family considered the strong rains a nuisance and a blessing in disguise as the poor family struggled to salvage what they can from the flood and had to spend the night at an evacuation center.

Much like the 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions who don’t give a damn about the climate crisis as they are safely cooped up in their ivory towers.

They don’t have to worry about homes, and properties, and crops being destroyed by typhoons. Heat waves and rising sea levels wouldn’t bother them. They can simply install more air conditioners in their mansions or better yet move somewhere else. How about water scarcity and food insecurity? They can afford to buy all their needs that can last them a lifetime.

It’s no surprise how governments have no power to make these companies accountable because they basically pull the strings.

Activists, environmentalists, and indigenous people call for action. Yet they get red-tagged, imprisoned, and killed. Especially for the Philippines considered to be the deadliest country for environmental defenders.

There is hope, however, in the youth leading the climate strike responding to Hillel’s “If not me, who? If not now, when?” It’s a shame that they have to demand for climate justice from those who are supposed to protect them and their future.

The road to victory seems dreary but the fight goes on.

The Youth in Action

Greta Thunberg, today’s face of the climate movement, is angry. And we should be furious with her because those in power dilly dally in addressing this very complicated problem we now call as climate emergency.

Admittedly, change, a systemic one at that, would take time. But that’s something we’re running out of. And this should move us all into action. To be honest, this blatant disregard and apathy from the government and corporations is frustrating. So I’ve decided to draw encouragement from empowered individuals and young people giving their all, making their voices heard, and fighting for their future and their now.

The Global Climate Strike gained a lot of support worldwide and the Philippines, despite being one of the countries with least greenhouse gas emission, joined this national mobilization for climate action. Jefferson Estela, founder of Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines outlined the demands of the group during a dialogue with Climate Change Commission on September 18, 2019. This include the phase out of coal and other fossil fuels, transition to renewable energy, and declaration of climate emergency in the country, among others.

#IAmHampasLupa together with Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines had a dialogue with Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman, Atty. Efren Bascos, and Ludwig O. Federigan of the Climate Change Commission PH. The discussion revolved around the campaign for ecological agriculture and #DietforClimate, and the Climate Strike.

Foundation University in Dumaguete hosted the event “Entrepreneurship and My Future” focusing on social innovation on September 20. During the event, MakeSense, a community of citizens, social entrepreneurs, and organizations working for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, facilitated a start-up creation workshop for students in the city.

“Entrepreneurship and My Future” at Foundation University, Dumaguete.

In time for the International Coastal Clean-up Day on September 21, Bacolod CORE (Children Optimization for the Revitalization of the Environment), a youth-led group, gathered more than five hundred volunteers at Purok Crossing Otso, Barangay Tangub for a clean-up and waste auditing. Part of the day’s activities was a creative Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Workshop for kids in the community.

Operation Kawayan Creative DRRM Workshop with children of Barangay Tangub.

The youth is often branded as selfish and are simply concerned of their social media image. But on the contrary, they are passionate, proactive, and brave. They are hopeful, they are angry, and they use all that energy to make a change.

Diet for Climate

To explore how our meal habits and choices affect the climate change movement, a panel discussion dubbed, “MKS Room: Diet for Climate” was organized by MakeSense together with Greenpeace and #IAmHampasLupa Ecological Agriculture Movement.

Angelo Abcede, an environmental advocate and a vegan; Virginia Benosa-Llorin, Food and Ecological Agriculture Campaigner of Greenpeace; and Drei Castillo of Good Food Community became part of the panelists.

The Panel (l-r): Drei, Virginia, and Angelo (Photo by George Buid)

Virginia gave an overview of the Diet for Climate Campaign of Greenpeace. She explained that Filipinos are eating more meat and less fruits and vegetables because of the notion that meat is nice, necessary, natural, and normal. This, however, is leading to health problems and negatively impacts the environment. She also mentioned that 30% of crops are grown for animal feed and 14% of greenhouse gas emissions comes from livestock production.

Lessening one’s meat consumption or having meat-free meals a few times in a week already helps. For Angelo, having undergone multiple brain surgeries due to brain tumor, he believes that shifting to a vegan diet that upholds the principle of compassion paved way to his speedy recovery.

As someone who works closely with farmers, Drei said that the organic movement is growing but it’s still a struggle on the production side especially related to value chain. To contribute to the campaign, she encouraged constant conversation on the issue, getting to know our farmers, and changing our habits.

During the event, Angelo also introduced easy to prepare meat-free recipes – classic hummus made by blending chick peas, cumin seeds, roasted tahini garlic, and olive oil; and mushroom pulao, a sort of Indian fried rice cooked in spices.

Angelo demonstrating how to cook mushroom pulao (Photo by George Buid).

Climate change might be too big an issue but our collective action through our individual food choices can already contribute to the solution.

Follow this link to learn more about the campaign: http://bit.ly/2G1AlS7 

Minimalist Me: Food

Buying groceries can be challenging for me because I have this mental checklist, a criteria that I base my decision on, before buying something. Ideally, it should be organic or natural, environment-friendly, locally produced, and has less packaging.

I always check the ingredients list. If I recognize most of the contents, none of those words you can barely read, then I’ll buy it. I used to eat a lot of junkfood but now, I mostly eat fruits and nuts for snacks! Occasionally, I buy sweets and pastries but I’m also trying to lessen my sugar intake (and the same goes with salt).

I remember a chef saying that you should train your tongue to eat real food. Kids hate veggies because early on, they get used to artificial food bathed in too much salt or sugar or flavoring. Once your tongue gets used to natural flavors, you’ll realize how, most of the time, the food being served is too salty or too sweet.

For me, minimalism in terms of food could also mean lesser meat and more plant-based diet. It is ranked as number four among climate change solutions. Reduced food waste is third in the list so no to food waste, please.

Minimalism is about mindfulness. Being mindful about the food we put in our bodies is something we should strive for. We should change the mindset that eating healthy is a punishment or is a way of robbing yourself of the good stuff because it’s not.

Filipino Youth Beyond Paris (and yes, youth pa rin ako)

Ang suwerte ng kabataan ngayon. Ang dami nilang opportunities for youth engagement. Basta may event o program na meant for youth participants, tsine-check ko kaagad ang age qualification. Hindi na kasi ako pasok sa Philippine definition pero sa UN, youth pa ako so wapakels ako sa inyo, haha! Joke lang.

Anyway, inorganisa ng Climate Reality Project Philippines ang “Filipino Youth Beyond Paris: Acting on Climate, from Paris to Kigali and beyond,” isang climate action conference para sa mga youth (yes!). Ninais din nitong pag-usapan ang national youth statement on climate na ibibigay sa Philippine delegation sa 23rd Conference on Parties sa Bonn, Germany.

Hindi iyan isang bonggang party. Meeting iyan at negosasyon patungkol sa Paris Agreement. Ang Agreement na ito ay naglalayong i-limit ang pag-init ng mundo below two degrees at tinatarget nga natin ay 1.5 degrees kasi just a slight increase in temperature could mean the end of the world as we know it. OA?! Pero seriously, remember Yolanda? Bagyo pa more ang dala nito.

Picture ng aming mock negotiation (Photo from Climate Reality Philippines).

Eh, ano naman iyong Kigali? Bale siyudad ito sa Rwanda kung saan na-ammend iyong Montreal Protocol. Iyong Montreal Protocol ay nagpa-phase out ng mga ozone-depleting substances. Dahil walang effect sa ozone ang hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) ginawa siyang substitute as refrigerant pero powerful greenhouse gas pala siya. So doon sa Kigali Amendment, kailangang i-phase out na rin ang HFCs. Gets?

Policy work can actually be exciting pag naiintindihan mo ang mga galawang nagaganap. Isa pa importante rin siya kasi ito iyong nagiging basehan ng mga pagbabagong ninanais natin. At sa mga policy work na ito, siyempre dapat involved ang all sectors including the youth. Kasi nga, tayo raw iyong pag-asa ng bayan na paulit-ulit binabanggit na para bang nakalimutan na natin. Kasi feeling nila puro selfie ang alam ng mga millenials. Pero sa totoo lang, sa tingin ko mas empowered at proactive ang mga kabataan ngayon, which is an awesome thing!

So balik tayo sa climate action, you want to know what you can do? Check out 101 ways to fight climate change. Sali ka rin sa iba’t-ibang youth initiatives at sabihan mo ako kung merong event pang-youth, iyong UN definition ha, hehe! But at the end of the day, bata o matanda, lahat tayo may magagawa para masolusyonan ang climate change. And the time to act is NOW!