WWF-Philippines National Youth Council Responds to Calls for Climate Action
November 2019
WWF-Philippines National Youth Council Vice-Chairperson Romina Lim, far left, poses for a picture with her fellow Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) delegates as they hold up their diplomas at the end of the program.
Photograph © YSEALI
The call for climate action grows even stronger with the leaders of tomorrow.
Members of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippine’s National Youth Council participated in conferences and took part in youth movements both at home and across the globe from August through to October, as a sign of solidarity with the many youth mobilizations unravelling the world.
WWF-Philippines National Youth Council Vice-Chairperson Romina Lim joins her fellow YSEALI delegates for a group photo at a beach in Hawaii. The YSEALI program trains and develops leaders for a sustainable future.
Photograph © Romina Lim / WWF-Philippines
National Youth Council Vice-Chairperson Romina Lim took part in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship for Environmental Issues and Natural Resources Management as part of their Fall 2019 cohort in Hawaii. The YSEALI fellowships are intensive short-term academic programs whose purpose is to provide young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States under particular themes, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills.
“Environmental leadership can’t just be learned by reading books or listening to a teacher inside a classroom,” says Lim, recounting her experiences as a YSEALI delegate. A marine biologist, Lim sees the need for advocacy work to be backed up with leadership skills and on-the-ground experience when it comes to environmental issues.
“You have to be there to observe nature, to see the realities of environmental issues, to communicate with people,” adds Lim. Through programs like YSEALI, she hopes to equip herself with the skills she sees as necessary to speak out for the planet.
WWF-Philippines National Youth Council Member Deign Soriano speaks before a youth delegation during the climate march. Photograph © UP Baguio
In his response to the climate crisis, National Youth Council Member Deign Soriano took part in the climate march in Baguio City on the 20th of September.
“It was empowering to speak in front of all those people and encourage them to do something for the environment,” said Soriano, recounting his experience speaking at the head of the climate march. A science professor at the University of the Philippines Baguio and a YSEALI Academic Fellow, Soriano spoke before his fellow youth about the need to protect the environment. Attending the city-wide climate march, he seized the opportunity to take his advocacy even further. “During the climate march, I learned a lot, especially from urban sector representatives who I got to listen to. For them, there are other problems they have to contend with. You need to find the right avenue to help and empower these people, without being so distant from their problems,” added Soriano.
Parents and youths alike march down the streets of Baguio City in solidarity with thousands across the globe who have been and who continue to march in the name of climate action. Photograph © Deign Soriano / WWF-Philippines
“For me, even if all they’re inspired to do is to change their ways, that’s fine. That’s a good start,” added Soriano. Young people across the world have come into their own as they take to the streets to demand action against the current climate crisis. Follow WWF-Philippines and discover how our National Youth Council are continuing the fight for our shared futures.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Pamela Luber
Communications Manager
pluber@wwf.org.ph
