editorial
For a greater
T
how many of the participants would move and initiate
activities for nature? As the youth are deemed to be
the future of this nation, have we embodied within our
system our role as inhabitants of this world? Now that
we are not anymore excused from our classes, has
the ‘fire’ that burned within us to protect Mother Earth
also died?
Indeed, Climate Change is one of the biggest
challenges that the inhabitants of this planet is facing
today. Several impacts had taken place and it is getting
more alarming than ever. Because of our inadvertent
ways, we are now experiencing an upsurge of
disasters. Again, it is high time that we emerge as one
and show our zeal and altruism in dealing with the
impacts of Climate change and its impacts. Let us not
be passive and only pretend to care. After all, it will
not only be for our safety but also for the safety of
future generations. As students of this institution that
set responsibility as a standard, ask these questions:
what have you done for the environment so far? What
can you do for the environment for now?
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he Climate Change Commission (CCC)
conducted Last August 2, 2013 its 3rd
“Greeneration Summit” in Mindanao,
with Capitol University as the venue to
gather and empower the youth leaders
from the different regions in Mindanao
to promote convergence in addressing the impacts of
climate change. The event had Commissioner Lucille
P. Sering of the CCC, Mayor Pie Alvarez of San
Vicente Palawan, Mayor Alfredo Coro II of Surigao
and Chiefmermaid Anna Oposa of the Save Philippine
Seas as speakers. His Excellency President NoyNoy
Aquino who was part of the program sent his message
to the participants.
Approximately 800 students from different
Mindanao-based schools participated in the event
and they were lucky for some reasons. One, they
got to be part of a national level event and two, they
were excused from their classes, a lot of perks were
also distributed during the event, not to mention the
chance to meet and greet Luzon-based speakers and
a trip-to-Palawan prize for a trivia game. Although,
there were some who intently listened throughout the
whole time the resource speakers gave their talk, there
were also those who seemed to be oblivious and were
not able to give their full attention. It is sad to think
that others viewed the event as something of little
importance than it should be. Throughout the event,
cameras can be seen flashing everywhere as laughter
and chitchats are heard which somewhat defeats the
purpose of their being there in the event. For most
of the students, they were in the event to understand
and do something about climate change as well as to
enjoy themselves and do some merry-making.
It is good to our thing especially when we are
given the rare chance to be part of a gathering for a
very noble purpose. However, it is imperative that we
think in a more mature way and not only because we
have been tapped as delegates but because we can
be one of those who can contribute to a greater cause.
The CCC emphasized that ‘Climate change becomes
a disaster when despite knowing what science tells
us, we do not do anything about it. Climate Change
adaptation and disaster risk reduction needs to be
integrated not only as a proactive strategy against
economic damage, but also as a defensive budgetary
expenditure.’ The question now is, after the event,
cause