Get the youth more involved in climate change issue – National Youth Commission

The National Youth Commission (NYC) on Friday reiterated the importance of involving the youth sector in addressing the issue of climate change, as they will be the ones who will directly experience its effects in the years to come.

"Sa napakahabang panahon, hindi naisasama 'yung boses ng kabataan pagdating sa diskusyon ng [climate change], ang pinakamaapektuhan din naman ay sila ring mga kabataan," Dennis Mendoza of the NYC told GMA News Online.

To forward this goal, the NYC, together with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Yes Pinoy Foundation conducted the "#NowPH: Youth Artists for Climate Action workshop" held Friday at the University of the Philppines Diliman campus in Quezon City in celebration of the National Day for Youth in Climate Action.

TODAY: #NowPH Young Artists for Climate Action workshop at UP Diliman, QC. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/5hFzobIrFH

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) November 25, 2016

The workshop, handled by members of the Philippine Educational Theatrical Association, aims to increase awareness among the youth sector on the issues and effects of climate as well as to act on it through their use of their talents and skills.

"Napag-isipan [natin]... na mag-launch tayo ng campaign na huwag magdesisyon ang mga leaders natin na wala 'yung boses ng kabataan," Mendoza said.

At least 40 members of the youth sector from different parts of the country participated in the workshop.

Participants were broken into four groups, each would undergo workshop on singing, dancing, visual arts, and poetry.

Mendoza hopes that with the workshop, the youth will be more knowledgeable and engaged in addressing the issue of climate change.

"Kumuha tayo ng pledges sa iba't ibang mga organizations, sa iba't ibang individuals para sabihin sa mga world leaders na habang nakikipag-negotiate sila na ang posisyon ng mga kabataan ng Pilipinas ay huwag tumaas ang global temperature na mahigit sa 2 degrees [Celsius]," Mendoza said.

For its part, the CCC hopes the workshop would build the adaptive capacity of the youth by giving them science-based information.

"Kung meron silang gagawing activities later on, dapat based on science, hindi lang kung ano 'yung perceived nilang climate change," Erwin Husmalaga of the CCC told GMA News Online.

@gmanews Erwin Husmalaga of the Climate Change Commission discusses the issues and challenges of climate change to the youth participants. pic.twitter.com/pXZfwvYJYa

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) November 25, 2016

Husmalaga said that aside from the workshop, the CCC also aims to get the youth more involved in the climate change action planning within the local government units.

"Presently, and realistically, hindi lahat ng communities mapupuntahan ng CCC. That's why we are partnering with the youth, we capacitate them to understand climate change, to know how it can be addressed, para pagdating nila sa communities nila, sila naman 'yung key agents ng change," he said.

The participants are expected to showcase their outputs from the workshop in a climate change concert to be held at Eton Centris, Quezon City later in the day. — RSJ, GMA News