While the heat index may rise to dangerous levels in some areas in the Bicol region this week, a newly formed Youth Alliance expressed that the public needs a collective action with long-term solutions to fight against the threats of Climate Change.
According to the latest PAGASA Heat Index bulletin, dangerous levels of temperatures, 42°C to 46°C, may be experienced over 25 areas today, April 23, and 31 areas tomorrow, April 24, in the country.
In the Bicol region alone, the dangerous level of heat index may be experienced today, April 23, over Daet, Camarines Norte (42°C); Virac, Catanduanes (44°C); Masbate City, Masbate (42°C); and CBSU-Pili, Camarines Sur (44°C).
On April 24, the dangerous heat index may be experienced over Bicol region areas such as Virac, Catanduanes (43°C); Masbate City, Masbate (42°C); and CBSU-Pili, Camarines Sur (43°C).
According to the newly formed youth alliance Kabataan para sa Kalikasan at Bayan (KKB) – Bikol, the rising heat index is the cause of the actual human-induced climate change that resulted to the alteration in the atmospheric composition due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
“The carbon dioxide from burning of fossil fuels and other human activities disrupts the balance of our climate system, leading to destructive climate manifestations such droughts, storms, flooding, and other calamities,” KKB-Bikol Spokesperson Alvin Jay Solomon said.
“These are motivated by the heating factors of climate change instead of the temperature changes alone,” Solomon added. “ We have enough reasons to provide long-term solutions to address climate change and provide justice for our environment.”
PAGASA and other government agencies advised to limit the outdoor activities, always keeping hydrated, and wearing fresh clothes to combat the effects of the heat. However, KKB believes these are just short-term reliefs in which the environment remains in danger against climate change.
“Simple actions can provide essential relief in every individual but we need to consolidate the youths to create better change to protect the communities as well as our environment,” Solomon added.
The youth alliance aims to advance the advocacies on responding to climate change, other environment-related concerns, and relief operations to protect the affected communities.
“We will conduct symposiums to educate and spread climate change awareness,” Solomon said. “Our council of leaders will be focusing on chapter-building, research, educational discussions, leadership training, campaigns, and alliance formation as part of our initiatives to craft long-term solutions.”
“As a youth, I hope we can encourage other young people to participate in environment-related activities so that we can help not only ourselves but also nature to be good for all of us. And as a youth for the environment and the people, we will help our nature and society to develop,” John de Chavez, one of the Council of Leaders, said.
Donna Orozco, Masipag-Luzon’s Climate Change Resiliency Program Head, emphasized the importance of spreading awareness on societal and environmental issues to encourage the youth to advocate for climate action.
Orozco promotes organic farming as one of the long-term solutions against climate change. “ Youths are being honed on these because they are the next heirs of the seeds of our farmers since we know that our farmers are now getting older,” she said.
KKB formalized its unity for environmental protection during its three-day regional environmental youth camp with the theme “Defend the Environment, Serve the People! Act for Environmental Justice Now!”, the youth volunteers assembled at Hiraya Manawari Nature Park in Tabaco City, Albay on April 19-21, 2024.
The delegates from various youth organizations in Bicol engaged in educational discussions on the environmental situation, disaster risk reduction, policies, and the youth’s role in communities.
“The youth camp is a good start for the next activities. Of course, Masipag is always behind the youths to support KKB,” Orozco promised. | Red Magtoto
Photos: Abby Bilan