In Bacolod City, the weather can change in a moment. One minute it’s blazing hot; the next, it’s pouring rain. This unpredictable weather sets the stage for a special event at Negros Forest Park. Around 40 children gather in a pavilion, eager to learn about climate change from their youth leaders from the Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE).
“Did you notice how hot it was when you arrived, and now it’s raining?” asks Paul Serrano, a NICE member leading the session. “That’s climate change at work.” He explains that climate change is caused by emissions from factories and cars, which trap heat like a blanket, leading to severe storms and droughts.
This launch event for NICE Kids faced unexpected challenges from the weather. Earlier that month, Typhoon Opong impacted the region, disrupting another youth conference focused on local solutions to climate issues. This storm was just one of three to hit the area in ten days, resulting in tragic losses—42 lives and many injuries.
“The climate is a mess,” says Joshua Villalobos, NICE’s secretary general. He emphasizes the urgency for young people to promote renewable energy as a solution. According to the United Nations, fossil fuels make up 68% of global greenhouse gas emissions, solidifying the need to transition to cleaner energy sources.
Younger Filipinos are stepping up to champion this change, focusing on ensuring that their communities benefit from a fair transition away from fossil fuels. This has become a personal mission for many, as they strive for a livable future in the face of adversity.
In Luzon, climate advocate Franciene Enriquez, now 21, has been fighting against a planned coal-fired power plant in her hometown of Atimonan since she was a child. The project, which promises job creation, has deeply impacted her community, leading to environmental degradation and displacement.
“We want progress, but we need to consider the environmental costs,” she asserts. She recalls how her grandfather inspired her activism, leading her to protest and educate her peers about their environmental rights.
In Negros Occidental, Villalobos has witnessed a history of resistance against coal power plants, having helped declare the province “coal-free” in 2019. However, the fight is far from over. Negros is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, despite its push for renewable energy.
The rise of solar energy has brought new challenges, such as land conversion and environmental risks associated with mining. Villalobos aims to address these issues through NICE, advising the government on creating policies for a just energy transition.
Simultaneously, in Mindanao, a different battle is brewing. Moh’d Al-Khaleel Bogabong, 31, an educator and advocate for a just energy transition, fights for recognition and laws in the Bangsamoro region. With over 300,000 households still lacking electricity, the region faces immense pressure to industrialize, often at the cost of local communities and ecosystems.
“Awareness of climate issues is still growing,” Bogabong explains. To advance the conversation, he and his team developed educational resources to make the topic more accessible to local residents.
As young advocates across the Philippines work tirelessly, they face systemic challenges. Bogabong, like Villalobos and Enriquez, desires a future where their communities are central to climate discussions at national and global levels. “We cannot do this without the youth,” he insists, hoping for a brighter, sustainable future for all.
By investing in education and empowerment, these young leaders are planting the seeds for a greener tomorrow. They know that together, they can rewrite the narrative about energy and climate in their communities.
