Youth Advocates Taking the Lead

While it may come as a surprise to some people, the truth is that young people hold a lot of power and influence. Many local activists have utilized different platforms, like social media, to spread the importance of preserving the environment. For example, Kids for Kids is a group of young advocates who aim to uplift fellow Generation Z members and encourage their participation in the movement to address climate change, environmental degradation, and many other issues. For the Future uses storytelling to drive youth-led change and hopes to restore 3,000 hectares of ancestral land for the Yangil Tribe of Zambales. PH Parks and Biodiversity is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that focuses on the sustainable development of parks, protected areas, and the restoration of ecosystems to protect Philippine biodiversity. 

Mitzi Jonelle Tan is a climate justice activist who co-founded Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines and has regularly spoken to policymakers, organized strikes, and raised awareness to combat climate change. 

Romina Lim is a marine biologist, environmental advocate, and an active member of WWF-Philippines’ National Youth Council. She is also part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, one of the many avenues she uses to share her work with other youth advocates.

These advocates are proof that tapping into your passion is a powerful act that can create meaningful change, and the power is fully yours to harness. Advocacy isn’t restricted to just one platform or medium; any talent, from cross-stitching to playing basketball, can be used to draw attention to a cause. By joining these youth advocates, you can be a part of the movement that makes sustainable choices today to preserve the world for tomorrow’s needs.

Sources:

  1. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. https://www.decadeonrestoration.org. Accessed 17 February 2021.
  2. Hurka, T. Sustainable development: What do we owe to future generations? Food and Agriculture Organization. http://www.fao.org/3/w2149e/w2149e08.htm. Accessed 02 February 2021. 
  3. UN News. (2020, December 24). Planet-warming trend continues: 2020 closes hottest decade on record – UN weather agency. https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080882. Accessed 18 February 2021. 
  4. The UP Wild. (2021, January 3). Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/UPwild/posts/what-better-way-to-greet-the-new-year-than-the-blooming-of-the-bagawak-morado-it/863999657477594/. Accessed 17 February 2021. 
  5. Kittel, I. (2019, May 17). Inspiring eco-innovation in Aurora, Quirino, and Palawan. Business World. https://www.bworldonline.com/sparkup-community-inspiring-eco-innovation-in-aurora-quirino-and-palawan/. Accessed 17 February 2021.
  6. Eco Explorations. https://ecoexplorationsph.com/about/. Accessed 10 March 2021.
  7. Nacar, P. (2020, March 27). Design: Keeping Filipino Native Trees Alive Through Art – The Beautiful Works of Cynthia Arre for the FFP. Adobo Magazine. https://www.adobomagazine.com/featured/design-keeping-filipino-native-trees-alive-through-art-the-beautiful-works-of-cynthia-arre-for-the-ffp/. Accessed 10 March 2021.
  8. Cheng, A. (2018, October 31). Sustainability Is No Longer An Afterthought in the Fashion Industry. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2018/10/31/sustainability-is-no-longer-just-an-afterthought-in-the-fashion-industry/?sh=789655175719. Accessed 17 February 2021.
  9. Kids for Kids. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/kidsforkidsph/?hl=en. Accessed 17 February 2021.
  10. For the Future. Instagram. https://www.forthefutureph.com. Accessed 17 February 2021.
  11. PH Parks and Biodiversity. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/phparksandbiodiversity/?hl=en. Accessed 17 February 2021.