CALD Youth celebrates passion for (climate change) action

Fourteen young leaders from eight Asian countries showed their passion for action in Cebu City and Bantayan Island, Philippines for the first CALD Youth climate change workshop. Held on 18-23 April 2013, the activity aimed to empower participants to take action to address the perils of climate change; be familiar with practical, legal, and paralegal strategies on responding to environmental challenges; conceptualize a climate change adaptation project; and expose themselves to solutions for sustainable living.

Facilitated by Philippine environmental lawyer, Antonio Oposa, Jr., the workshop participants were the perfect target group for his advocacy on promoting intergenerational responsibility and social justice. Participants discussed the environmental issues that they want to challenge within their countries. In working groups, they proposed solutions for land, air, water, and solid management problems, and the role that governance and international pressure can play.

Apart from the CALD Youth participants, the discussions were diversified with the contributions of CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta; head of the International Climate Litigation team Brook Meakins; President of the Climate Justice Program Stephen Leonard; international environmental lawyer John Boyd; and international officer of the Young Democrats of America Robert Weiss.

The workshop was not only a platform for discussions but also an opportunity to involve young politicians in hands-on activities and expose them to the principles of sustainable living. This was done through tours of the facilities of the House Close to Nature in Cebu City and the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates) on Bantayan Island. Participants partook in a hands-on edible landscaping activity at the School of the SEA and jumped into the Visayan Sea to observe conservation efforts in its marine sanctuary.

One of the highlights of the activity was showing support for the Philippine road sharing movement on earth day. The international leaders joined children of Bantayan Island and their lawyers in submitting a notice to sue the Philippine government if they are unable to make the road system fairer. This highly publicized action was also done by children in over twenty villages around the country. Participants were inspired to take action in their own countries and CALD Youth looks forward to having follow-up activities on climate change.

“We learned that an integral part of respecting one another is respecting the environment that we all live in,” said CALD Youth Chair Selyna Peiris.“There is a collective responsibility among the leaders of Asia to preserve what has been handed over to us. This has been a life-changing experience not only for myself but all my colleagues in CALD Youth. It showed us that change is only an initiative away, and, that if there is dedication and perseverance, the youth of the Asian region can take the necessary steps to be that change.”