Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga has challenged the Filipino youth to take an active part in crafting solutions to address the climate crisis for the sake of their future.
(DENR Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga / Courtesy of DENR)
“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 in her speech during the DENR’s Earth Day celebration at its head office in Quezon City. Present at the event were 150 high school, college students, and teachers from Metro Manila.
“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.
Noting the vital role played by the youth in saving the environment, the DENR selected the theme: “Invest in our Planet, Invest in our Youth” for the Earth Day event.
The activity seeks to raise awareness, understanding, and foster commitment and action on environmental stewardship among the youth.
Loyzaga emphasized that everybody, including the youth, has the “ability to make a difference, influence our country's fight against the impacts of climate change and the degradation of our environment.”
During the event, participants listened to young leaders from the DENR as they shared the agency’s priority programs such as Clean Water, Clean Air, National Greening Program, Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal Marine Ecosystem, and Solid Waste Management.
“They encouraged participants to consider a career in the sciences and be part of government service in the future,” the environment department said.
According to DENR Usec. Marilou G. Erni , the department is eyeing to continue holding youth-centered programs, including collaborating with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), for more strategic partnerships that will go beyond awareness and translating this understanding and commitment into action.