The Youth, a Brave New Hope for the Environment
August 2019
A high school student speaks before her class, discussing ideas for an environmentally friendly tomorrow. Youth leaders across the world have taken to the microphone to speak on behalf of the planet. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
“I am here to say, our house is on fire… I want you to act as if our house is on fire,” says Greta Thunberg, stood before the world’s most influential leaders at the tail end of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting earlier this year.
Young Greta Thunberg is no older than sixteen. She isn’t past high school, yet with fiery words and a placard in hand, Thunberg has become a powerful advocate for the environment – and like many youths today, she wants change.
Let’s look at youths like Thunberg who are working with WWF-Philippines as they fight for the environment.
Xia Vigor stands on stage during Earth Hour, a stuffed whale shark doll in her hand. Vigor uses her position as an actress to advocate for the planet. Photograph © Josh Alibcag / WWF-Philippines
Standing out in the limelight a child actress takes to the stage. She carries with her a message for everyone.
Xiamara Vigor, or Xia for short, is a British-Filipino actress and TV host. When she isn’t appearing on stage, though, Vigor serves as National Youth Advocate for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. She’s the organization’s youngest spokesperson at the age of ten years old, appearing at events like Earth Hour 2019 to inspire fellow youths like herself to care for the environment.
“When I saw these whales dying with plastics in their stomachs, it broke my heart. I didn’t know how to help them, but I knew I wanted to, in some way,” says Vigor. A lover of animals with the heart of a philanthropist, Vigor looks for opportunities to help others in whichever way she can. For her age she’s also an intellectual wizard, listening attentively and holding her own in discussions over environmental issues.
“I’m grateful I get to speak for the planet, and I think we should all start being environmentally minded while we’re young. Everyone thinks someone else is going to save the planet, but they forget that we should be doing our part, too. After all, there is no Planet B,” ends Vigor, her head nodding with conviction.
WWF-Philippines National Youth Council member Romina Lim observes a passing sea turtle. A marine biologist and environmental advocate, Lim uses her love for both science and society to fight for the protection of our seas. Photograph © Romina Lim
Far out at sea, another youth advocate wields both science and a desire to help others in her fight for the planet.
Romina Lim, 24 years old and only a few years out of college, works as a marine biologist. An environmental advocate and a member of WWF-Philippines’ National Youth Council, Lim splits her time between labs and research vessels, and sharing her work and her advocacy at talks and forums with youths such as herself.
“Since I was young, I wanted to get into environmental work. I think it started with watching shows like National Geographic,” says Lim. Introduced to environmental work at a young age thanks to her parents, Lim has always had a heart for conservation work. Now, as both a scientist and a young leader, Lim shares her love for the planet with others.
“We have a voice. I mean, look how loud we are on social media. We’re aware of what’s going on. We’re the ones who will be affected by tomorrow. So we should be loud,” added Lim.
Lim is among the latest additions to the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. Meeting soon with other young development champions from across the region, Lim looks to further the work she’s been doing for our oceans.
Student participants from Our City 2030. Through Our City 2030, the youth are being given the chance to participate in the sustainable development of their home city. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
While youths like Xia and Romina take to the stage, others are coming together to seek out solutions for a sustainable future.
In Quezon City, high school youths are gathering to talk about their futures and how they want it to look like. Our City 2030, a joint project between WWF and PLAN International, is bringing members of the youth together from select schools, Alternative Learning System (ALS) centers, and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councils from Quezon City. These young people are encouraged to develop their vision for their city and brainstorm solutions to achieve their goals by 2030. Their vision? To have a clean and safe environment that promotes quality education.
“I think Our City 2030 is essential. It’s establishing the interests of the youth and opening eyes towards issues that will affect my generation. My own eyes were opened – I see now what I can do, and I’ve realized that everybody can act for the better good,” says Harvey Eco, student participant of Our City 2030. A member of the youth, Eco believes that future generations should be involved in planning out their cities.
“I wish nothing but the best for the city I live in, and for future generations to have the courage to continue transforming visions into reality,” added Eco.
Our City 2030 has already met with students from high schools across Quezon City, teaching them environmentalism and sustainable development. Over the coming years, these students will meet with public administrators and civic groups in pursuit of developments to make their cities green and climate-resilient.
A group of boy scouts stand before a commitment wall, their hands covered in paint. In recent years, youths across the world have stood up to the challenge of changing climates for the sake of the future of the planet. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
Across the country and all over the world, the youth are taking a stand for the conservation of the environment. From scientists to superstars to school children gathered in forums, the next generation has risen to meet the challenges that grip the planet. Our house is on fire – and the youth are here to put it out.
For media arrangements, please contact:
Mr. Dan Ramirez
Communications and Media Manager
dramirez@wwf.org.ph
