EDITORS DESK
Google’s “Year in Search 2024” offers a glimpse into the collective consciousness of Filipinos, and this year, the message is clear: The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat. With “heat wave” and “climate change” ranking prominently among the Philippines’ top trending searches, it’s evident that the public is confronting the immediate impacts of global warming.
This marks quite a shift from the trending searches of the previous year. In 2022, no environmental topics made it to the top 10 Google search keywords. Instead, the list was dominated by terms like “Halalan 2022,” “VaxCertPH,” “precinct finder,” and “Wordle.”
The 2024 Google data paints a striking picture as a year marked by environmental issues. Searches for “heat wave” spiked in April as temperatures soared to unprecedented levels. Metro Manila hit a new record of 38.8 degrees Celsius, and communities across the country faced challenges. Schools moved online, health advisories dominated the airwaves, and the sweltering heat became a daily reminder of a changing climate.
Then came November, a month marked by an astonishing four typhoons in just 10 days. This series of storms followed an unusually quiet typhoon season, an example of the extreme weather patterns studies have long predicted.
In a U-Report poll by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released in September, “climate change,” “education,” “health,” and “jobs” emerged as the top concerns for young people in the Philippines in 2024. The key findings reveal that 26 percent believe climate change and natural disasters will be the biggest challenges they’ll face. Additionally, 23 percent worry about not “being able to finish their education,” while around 44 percent expect the future generation to be “worse off” than today.
These concerns are echoed in a Statista survey on the perception of climate change in the Philippines in 2024, published last month. It reveals that 55.3 percent of respondents believe climate change is a “serious and immediate threat to the wellbeing of the country,” with 39.7 percent stating it is “an important issue that deserves to be monitored.”
Awareness and action
The spike in searches suggests a growing awareness of the links between these events and global environmental trends. This awareness is a critical first step toward collective action, but it is not enough to stop there.
“Our generation is passionate about making a difference. We make noise and initiate movements for social change, from racial justice to climate action. We use social media to raise awareness,” wrote one participant in the UNICEF survey.
“New generations are bringing a reinvigorated sense of solidarity and a compelling call for collective action. Both are essential to build the future we want,” said UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez.
Both the public and private sectors have already responded with the start of the energy transition, open area designs in urban landscapes, and sustainable housing initiatives, to name a few. On an individual level, Filipinos can contribute by adopting more eco-friendly practices like mindful consumption, recycling, and supporting policies and leaders committed to environmental protection. While these actions may seem small, they collectively send a powerful message: The fight against climate change requires everyone’s participation.
The Philippines has long been on the frontlines of climate change. By turning heightened awareness into sustained commitment, Filipinos can become leaders in environmental action and sustainability.
(Rey Robes Ilagan is the editor of Manila Bulletin’s Environment and Sustainability section.)