CCC, Climate Reality PH to bring climate change education to more communities

July 25, 2023

Quezon City—The Climate Change Commission (CCC), the government’s lead policymaking and coordinating body on climate change, is joining forces with The Climate Reality Project Philippines to bring Klima Eskwela: Climate Science, Adaptation, Arts, and Action to more communities in the coming months.

Klima Eskwela is Climate Reality Philippines’ knowledge exchange program that provides opportunities for communities across the country to deepen and broaden their understanding of climate science, policy, and governance. It also highlights the role of arts and humanities in the climate change conversation by creating spaces for awareness and reimagining a better and kinder future for all.

“Working with civil society partners is essential to reach more vulnerable communities and help them cope in this climate crisis. We look forward to working with Climate Reality Philippines in utilizing the power of science and the arts to empower students and youth, households, small and medium-sized enterprises, and local government authorities and institutions who know firsthand how the changing climate is affecting society and nature itself,” said CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera.

“We are committed to working with the CCC and other partners to bring Klima Eskwela to as many communities as possible,” said Nazrin Castro, Branch Manager of Climate Reality Philippines.

“Addressing the climate crisis requires cross-sectoral and intergenerational collaboration. We want to give the youth, advocates, and other stakeholders the tools and knowledge they need to make a difference,” added Nazrin Castro, Branch Manager of Climate Reality Philippines.

The first Klima Eskwela session co-presented by CCC and Climate Reality Philippines will take place in Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte on 27-28 July 2023 in partnership with Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU).

The two-day session will cover discussions of (1) climate science and the impacts of climate change on local communities, (2) Dapitan City’s Local Climate Change Action Plan, (3) climate lens of plastic pollution; (4) Dapitan City’s local plastic and waste management policies.

Joining the Dapitan rollout is marine science and climate change expert Dr. Richard N. Muallil, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension of the Mindanao State University- Tawi-Tawi, to provide his insights on the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and how plastic pollution further worsens the problem.

Dr. Muallil is a member of the CCC National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE), a group of experts in climate change science, policy, and adaptation tasked with providing technical advice on a range of climate change issues, including assessment of climate change risks, development of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and monitoring and evaluation of climate change programs.

Jerome Ilagan, CCC Policy Research and Development Division Chief, will discuss critical policies and frameworks shaping climate action at the global and national levels.

Dr. Victor Bernido, Director of JRMSU Disaster Risk Reduction Management Services, will present Dapitan City’s Local Climate Change Action Plan.

Engr. Ryan Carreon, Planning Officer III of the Dapitan City Environment and Natural Resource Office, will present local plastic and waste management policies.

Climate Reality Leaders Jonathan John Maldupana, Ma. Isobel Ocao, and Beatrix Eloise Tanglao will also join the Dapitan sessions.

Maldupana will deliver a presentation on the basics of climate change, specifically how human activities are altering the world’s climate systems. Ocao, an instructor at the JRMSU Natural Science Department, and Tanglao, a member of the Climate Reality Philippines Youth Cluster, will facilitate a poetry and arts workshop on the second day of the Klima Eskwela event.

Climate Reality Philippines is already planning with CCC and local partners to organize Klima Eskwela in Ormoc City, Cagayan De Oro City, and Siargao within the year.

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