Philippines

About James Nathaniel Refugio

James Nathaniel Refugio (he/him) has worked as a Legal Assistant II and Economic Sector Specialist for six years at the City Planning and Development Office for the City Government of Naga, Philippines. He has extensive experience in organizational development, education, administration, human resource management, systems thinking, statistics, public diplomacy, grant management, and data science. He acquired his Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Mathematics and Education from the Ateneo de Naga University with flying colors. Currently, he is a third-year law student and a working scholar at the University of Nueva Caceres. 

He is a sustainable development advocate with existing initiatives focused on socio-economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. These provided development opportunities concerning community participation, active citizenship movement, environmental education, legal compliance, community development activities, civic engagement, training, project management, and youth leadership across the Bicol Region.

About James’ Community Action Project (CAP)

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges that we face today. In the Bicol Region of the Philippines, climate change has resulted in severe weather events, such as typhoons, floods, and landslides, which have caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. These events disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society, including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous communities. James’ program will focus on climate justice, environmental education, and civic engagement to empower marginalized communities to take action to protect their human rights, participate in decision-making processes, and build more resilient and inclusive communities.

Along with his existing collective efforts and community initiatives, Act Now for Ranow Movement, Bicolano Young Leaders Congress, and Naga City Humanitarian Volunteers, his community action project will be known as “Bicol Region Individual Development and Group Empowerment” (BRIDGE). This program will provide avenues for concerned sectors —such as fisherfolks, community leaders, young citizens, women, and other marginalized sectors—to address critical issues affecting the well-being of local communities with local government and other stakeholders. Many of these issues affect their human rights, such as access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Under the BRIDGE Program, he will work with key partners and stakeholders to realize the Ranow Voices Fellowship, which is a gathering of 50 individuals divided into two leadership tracks (Community Voices Track and Changemaker Track) primarily focused in 33 barangays of Bato, Camarines Sur and to be expanded across the Bicol Region. This fellowship will provide an avenue to learn and appreciate the intersectionality of climate justice and human rights in relation to Lake Bato as part of their holistic development.

The selected participants will take part in different learning sessions and Leadership Enhancement and Advocacy Development (L.E.A.D.) discussions as they journey toward their leadership circles: Self, Others, Community, and Society. They will create a local sectoral agenda (LSA) on how to promote human rights across sectors in their community. Sessions at the Summit for Environmental Education (SEE), taking place October 2023–March 2024, will provide a platform to share their stories and experiences on how everyone is engaged and empowered to do their fair share so that no one is left behind.

Through civic engagement, the program will foster a sense of ownership and agency among residents, leading to more inclusive and equitable decision-making processes. Indigenous communities also face discrimination and marginalization, which can lead to violations of their human rights. The program will also focus on empowering Indigenous communities to assert their rights, preserve their cultural heritage, and participate fully in the social, economic, and political life of the municipality. By supporting Indigenous communities, the program will contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society that respects the rights of all residents.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

I always see education as a powerful platform in building a sustainable future—empowering one student at a time.

In 2015, I co-founded Project KaliKlasrum which creates modules that engage youth in urban communities in discussions on different environmental issues and community-based solutions. I wrote a water conservation module, designed activities, and co-implemented the project for Grade 6 students. This initiative reached two (2) schools with 50 students in total. Today, the schools have adopted the module and have run it on their own as part of their co-curricular activities.

From 2018 to 2023, I helped my former school, Southville International School, in creating programs and campaigns on environmental issues and sustainability as the Institutional Outreach and Sustainability Coordinator. We started the Shades of Blue Campaign and launched the Harmony of Man and Environment (HOME program). HOME is the institutional flagship program of the school’s various environmental and sustainability programs and policies. This included launching a campaign on plastic pollution, involving teachers in integrating EE and Climate Change Education in their class discussions, and relaunching the school program on waste segregation.

At present, I am the Environmental Education Specialist of Save Philippine Seas (SPS). SPS advances marine conservation in the Philippines (and Southeast Asian region) by engaging governments, businesses, schools, and individuals, in order to educate communities on the value of their marine resources and empower "seatizens" to take action for conservation and restoration. As an active campaigner and youth leader, I received project grants for my environmental education projects, such as Project Kaliklasrum (2015), Mamuju Eco-Z Camp (2019), Eco-Z Camp Online (2021), and ASEAN Citizen Science STEAM Online Course (2021). I also worked as a program consultant and facilitator on various environmental and climate change education projects here in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

In 2015, I joined an environmental camp called the Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp of Save Philippine Seas. As a History Education major, I never thought that I would be selected in the program that I thought would only cater to environmental science or biology majors. I always questioned myself if I deserved the spot that I gained in the program, until one night my co-camper asked me about different strategies for engaging students inside the classroom. That very moment sparked a realization to me that as a teacher, I can contribute to different approaches and ideas on how to deliver and communicate lessons on the environment. Although I am not a science major, I saw how I could use my skills as a teacher to contribute to designing and facilitating engaging EE programs. From this, I started to write more modules and programs that later on have been recognized and received project grants for community implementation.

The stories of my students and their communities would always be an inspiration for my involvement in this cause.. In every program that I design, I always think about what it would be like for my students (or participants) and how they would learn from the experience. I always think with an “end in mind" view so that programs can be delivered successfully, however this can be challenging and requires lots of discussions with my colleagues and project partners, as well as trial and error which we tirelessly work on to achieve our desired goals and outcomes. At the end of the day, every EE engagement allows us to learn best practices and untap potentials.

A Little More About Me

If you were to choose one place to live for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?

I will always choose home. Home is where our heart resides and if we remember that our planet is our home then everyone will have a communal responsibility to protect it. Because this is where everyone’s hearts find comfort.

What are you happiest doing?

I am happiest when I talk to my students and listen to how their inspirations grow from dreams to reality.

How do you unwind?

I always watch Netflix series and listen to Kpop songs.

What’s a passion project of yours outside of your work?

I am fond of learning foreign languages, like Thai and Korean. 

Age: 29

Philippines

Laurence (he/him) is a climate action advocate and sustainability practitioner who gives citizens, communities, and corporations the tools they need to contribute to environmental preservation and regeneration.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities?

I am the co-founder of Green Impact Global, a climate action movement that aims to improve environmental literacy, revitalize forests, and reduce carbon footprints. In building more sustainable and equitable communities, we have engaged and educated a variety of stakeholders through different approaches such as learning sessions, webinars, stakeholder consultations, climate change hackathons, volunteer activities, and social media campaigns. Furthermore, through Green Impact’s Carbon Sequestration Program, we have partnered with local communities, civil society, and government stakeholders to drive mangrove afforestation projects along vulnerable coastal areas.

In my day job, I am a sustainability and strategic risk advisory manager at Deloitte. Here, I spearhead sustainability projects and deliver environmental, social and governance (ESG) solutions for various external organizations. I have led teams in conducting Sustainability Gap Assessments and delivering sustainability capacity building programs through training needs analysis, learning program design, and training delivery. My team and I have also designed and facilitated enterprise risk management workshops, which focus on increasing stakeholder awareness and appreciation of climate-related risks and opportunities. This helps organizations integrate climate risks into their risk management practices and formulate climate risk response strategies. These capacity building interventions are important for equipping and empowering organizations as part of their sustainability and climate action journeys.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today.

My family and I survived Typhoon Sendong, the world’s deadliest storm in 2011. This catastrophe ended the lives of thousands of people. It was a horrific experience to see the tremendous damage it brought to my hometown, Cagayan de Oro City, and the trauma it brought to all those affected by it. The experience opened my eyes to the destruction that climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable urbanization can bring to vulnerable island nations such as the Philippines.

This unfortunate disaster and the urgent need to solve environmental challenges motivated me to pursue the path of a sustainability practitioner, climate action advocate, and environmental educator by engaging the three C’s—citizens, communities and corporations. I engage citizens because individual behavioral change is powerful, communities because collective action is needed to effectively address complex and systemic environmental problems, and corporations because they play a critical role in minimizing their environmental footprint while generating economic value to society.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME

Who do you look up to as inspiration?

Dr. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero. Aside from being a renaissance man, Dr. Rizal is known for the line, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” which in English means, “The youth is the future of our nation.”

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

An eagle, because they symbolize freedom, fearlessness, and foresight. Eagles are tenacious animals that represent excellent vision and strong leadership qualities.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

Embrace continuous learning and empower your teams by giving them authority and responsibility to make decisions for themselves where possible.

What’s your favorite food to celebrate with?

Crispy fried oyster mushrooms served with cauliflower rice.

Age: 28

Philippines

JL (he/him) advocates for inclusive and innovative climate and environmental education as the foundation on which to build the road to sustainable development.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities?

Since being trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2016, I have delivered more than 100 talks and written more than 200 news articles and op-eds on various climate and environmental issues, with the ultimate goal of awareness-raising and education. I have delivered these talks to thousands around the world from different sectors, especially youth. My organization Living Laudato Si' Philippines (LLS) has integrated the principles of Pope Francis’ Encyclical #LS211 into our campaigns and programs, always highlighting the value of education. We also develop modules and resource materials on climate science, justice, and human rights, including three short books that aim to educate Filipinos about various aspects of ecological citizenship. As a campaigner and lobbyist, I successfully lobbied for the inclusion of climate change education into the Philippines's first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. This is an important step for formally integrating climate change into the Philippine education system, which LLS aims to be a part of moving forward. We are also preparing to conduct a loss and damage campaign in Q4 2022, empowering local communities to address local impacts and lobby for L&D finance and other policies.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today.

On 26 September 2009, I was at an Internet cafe on the outskirts of Marikina City. It was the same day that typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) struck, bringing climate change for the first time to the consciousness of a stunned nation. For hours, I endured strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high floods, working with other people to survive. By the time I got back to my relative's place, I finally understood the urgency and importance of taking care of our common home.

Since then, I have been training and working hard to learn as much as I can about the issues and solutions associated with the ecological crisis. I have played different roles and developed skills over the years, including as a policy campaigner and lobbyist, environmental researcher, citizen journalist, and science communicator. Through these experiences with institutions and organizations such as the Ateneo de Manila University, Manila Observatory, The Climate Reality Project, and Living Laudato Si' Philippines, I have learned the importance of holistic thinking, working with other stakeholders, effective communication, and compassion for others to bring about an inclusive, resilient, just, and sustainable present and future, where no one is left behind. And the journey is just getting started...

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME

 

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

I would choose to be a penguin, as I think it is a unique creature that represents the many treasures that can only be found in the Earth’s ecosystems. I also regard it as one of the most threatened species due to the climate crisis, further highlighting the need to take care of our common home.

Describe your work in a haiku.

We must save our world / Not for what it was, but for / What it could still be

If you were to choose one place to live for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?

As my college professor advised me, “go where you are needed.” As I believe this place is where I am needed, not to mention where my family and friends reside, where my destiny is, and where my advocacy could make the most meaningful impact, I choose to live in my home country, the Philippines.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

Do not shy away from starting small, as it could end up making a big impact down the line. Any action can make a meaningful impact in addressing the ecological crisis, as long as it is fueled by passion and grounded by compassion.

Kim is a budding biologist passionate about curating learning experiences that inspire others to take action for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? 

With the vision of wildlife and people in harmony for a sustainable future, experiential learning through the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation’s Marine and Wildlife Camps has been the longest-running program that I have had the opportunity to organize over the last 4 years in the Danjugan Island marine and wildlife sanctuary in the Sulu Sea. The island is home to rich biodiversity and for almost 30 years it has been known as “Nature’s Perfect Classroom” where youth of ages 12 to 17 would immerse in nature, learn, explore, and encounter wildlife. The camps serve as an avenue to convene youth from highly urbanized cities and small coastal communities. Together, they go through the same inclusive program focusing on interconnectedness and interdependence. By the end of the camp, amazing ideas and commitments are shaped. After many years, you see alumni collaborating and integrating lessons from the camp, taking into account ecological understanding and sustainability in their spheres of influence. Many of the local campers from the small coastal communities have emerged as local champions and youth leaders that take part in policy decision-making processes and carry out sustainability programs in their local communities.

My journey as an informal outdoor educator has been very meaningful and challenging. Coming from a more science-y background as a biologist, I have seen the gap in communicating science especially into something relevant and in the local context. This has inspired me to take on the path that bridges this communication gap by supporting and curating programs that allow people to appreciate and understand science, ecology, wildlife, and the natural world enough to urge and encourage them to care and do something for it. Through my years of experience leading outdoor camps and facilitating groups of volunteers, as well as with my work and partnership with local stakeholders from the government and communities, I have learned to truly listen and nurture empathy. The diversity in groups and individuals can be overwhelming, but it is when these things come together that great partnerships, ideas, and solutions are produced.

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

A phytoplankton! Phytoplankton are minute but they are important as they make up the base of the aquatic food chain. Small but quite powerful.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

It would be the ability to restore things back to their original state, the power to recover.

What are you happiest doing?

I am happiest when I take small kids for a walk outdoors, especially in tide pools.

Amor is an education for sustainable development (ESD) practitioner that advocates for culture-based multilingual education, women and youth leadership, and climate justice.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? 

I collaborate primarily with other young leaders not only from local communities where I work but also with youth from other regions through the networks I am a part of, including One Young World. I help design and facilitate dialogues and discussions about the challenges and opportunities in environmental education and community-based solutions. I also develop curricula and courses that bring deeper awareness and encourage commitment towards ecological stewardship.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today.

For the last six years, I’ve been deeply involved in advancing a culture-based multilingual education for indigenous youth grounded in their community’s cultural values and the need to care for their ancestral land. The national education framework of the Philippines has the tendency to undermine indigenous cultures who are the backbone of sustaining biodiversity throughout our archipelago.

To do this, I worked closely with community teachers, especially the women, and in the process, they were empowered to affirm the critical leadership they play in society. I also worked on a program for indigenous and migrant youth who are not able to join formal schools. These are the young people who want to express their integrity, but they are not sure how or who will listen. So I always speak of accompanying youth as a listening process. Today, my role is to connect people to one another and bring them together in strengthening the impacts we want to see in our communities and with institutions that must affirm the changes needed on a decision-making level. 

What book, film, or art piece has had the greatest impact on you?

Mary Oliver's poem called Wild Geese deeply spoke to me as a journey towards being oneself and belonging.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

Very simply, stay true to your core.

What are you happiest doing?

Spending time with my cats :)

Pandan, Antique, Philippines
Age: 24

John Carl's youth-led climate change education initiative reaches schools and communities across the Global South.

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? 

Through the ClimatEducate Project, we work to connect youth and community leaders with science and opportunities for civic engagement. Our project created materials that are free for youth leaders and teachers to use and share, conducted school and outreach events to reach more communities, and provided simplified versions of the climate change agenda for grassroots community leaders. At the moment, we are building a learning platform for climate action that can be used online and offline as instructional material for learners and is designed to be accessible for remote schools in developing countries.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. 

I started my journey in environmentalism when I was in elementary school. I loved learning about one of our island’s last remaining rainforests and how important it is to sustain our communities’ livelihoods. I live in a region where the ecosystem is thriving significantly, from ridge to reef. After experiencing Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which affected my family and community, I started joining the climate movement. The experience motivated me to study more about climate change and engage in dialogue on it. Our climate change education project, which was launched in 2016, paved the way to widen my engagement with this topic and learn with fellow youth climate advocates and researchers who are also mostly from the developing world. Through years of volunteer work with the ClimatEducate project, I realized that continued awareness and education about the root causes of climate change are imperative to help our communities understand the actions being done and provide them with chances to participate.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

I encourage our next leaders to stay curious, proactive, and creative. Never stop being engaged in civic activities, as you will continue to learn along the way. Encourage and help build sustainable communities based on cooperation and respect. As tested by the 2020 pandemic, our future world will need leaders with a genuine passion for the common good of the people and for the protection of the common source of all human systems - the natural world. Keep on being vocal, until it is finally heard.

I was inspired by my maternal grandfather’s environmental advocacy. Though he never studied high school and lived all his life in a fishing family, his love for the sea and the natural world was so strong that he lobbied for one of our town’s first marine protected areas (MPA) in the mid-1990s as a community leader. Because of this, my grandfather experienced hardships and was even politicized. It was several years after his death that the MPA materialized and the community enjoyed its benefits. Like his journey to pursue the common good, my own journey was also tiresome and challenging along the way. But, I always think of how my grandfather’s grit and persistence made a long-lasting difference, which inspires me to this day.

Marikina City, Philippines
Age: 29

Czarina works collaboratively with stakeholders to drive accountability and use participatory approaches to stop plastic waste leakage in nature. 

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? 

I believe that education is a strategic approach to ensure that stakeholders have access to science-based information to generate accountability and action. Currently, I work to ensure that policy-makers, businesses, cities, local communities, and the general public are included in implementing a systemic approach towards WWF’s vision of No Plastics in Nature by 2030 in the Philippines. We work on generating and communicating baseline data to provide technical guidance to policy-makers and key government actors, guide businesses in their journey towards circularity, assist cities and local communities in implementing interventions for increased plastic waste diversion, and build on citizen science for mobilizing action.

Through this, we’ve seen increased accountability and action from key stakeholders, including three Plastic Smart Cities signees, a partnership with policy makers regarding Extended Producer Responsibility and global treaty on marine plastic pollution, and 20 businesses driving towards circularity. 

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. 

I was a Corporate Training Specialist when I went to Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines, in 2012. When I saw the mountains transition from greenery to houses, that was my turning point to pursue a career in environmental education.

Being a psychology graduate, it was challenging to teach about biology, so I doubled my efforts to learn and teach about environmental issues. There are good days when you feel accomplished, and bad days when people may question your credibility about a topic. Whatever day it is, I always remind myself why I need to contribute to environmental conservation.

These experiences have encouraged me to pursue a postgraduate degree in environmental management, which has been helpful in broadening my work in community education where I’ve seen how environmental education can contribute to protecting and managing Key Biodiversity Areas.

I am now working in project management, where education is also an important approach for influencing change and addressing plastic pollution.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

First, environmental conservation is a multi-disciplinary approach. It is not limited to those with science degrees, and there is always something you can bring. This is an opportunity to collaborate and exchange expertise across disciplines.

Second, every voice counts. We need to listen to all stakeholders, from city officials to community leaders, to generate a localized approach for addressing environmental issues. It is when all perspectives are taken into account that we increase participation and empower marginalized communities.

Third, strengthen your WHY, or your reason for doing the things you do. The journey will be challenging but bearable if you hold on to why you are doing this in the first place.  

Our growth must not be limited to what we think is right. There is no other way to better our work in conservation but to listen and continue learning from research, experience, and other people’s perspectives.

What color would you be in a crayon box and why?

Yellow, as it exudes optimism and hope. I always think that there should be something to brighten up our day and be thankful for. When things do not go as planned, those are things to learn from. Similarly in the environmental education world, it is our duty as educators to always look for hope that our stakeholders can hold on to amidst the many environmental issues.

What are you happiest doing?

I am at my happiest when I am immersed in communities. I am always excited to listen and learn from community stories, where I understand our similarities and differences. It is with this understanding, I believe, that we can better empower communities.

Quezon City, Philippines                                   SEE OTHER BIOS HERE
Age: 30

Vermon is an environmentalist aiming to "GREENducate" the Philippines, one youth at a time.

Tell us about yourself!

I am an Environmental Management Specialist II in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and also one of the youth advisers of GREENducation Philippines, the youth arm of the DENR Environmental Management Bureau that aims to empower Filipino youth through environmental education and green networking. Our goal is not only to educate youth about environmental stewardship, but also to impart skills and green values for them to influence and educate their fellow Filipino youth about environmental education.

Since I was in college, I have always wanted to be part of the solution to address environmental challenges. I started my green journey when I joined the Chemical Science Society in Bicol University, a college-based organization that takes an active role in promoting the importance of chemistry, both academically and socially. As a new organization, we started organizing tree-planting activities, coastal clean ups, and the Chemistry Magic Show, where we would do a magic show for the community and explain the science behind each experiment and its connections to the environment. During our environmental chemistry class with Professor Samuel Bobiles, he discussed the science behind environmental stewardship, how to reduce carbon footprints, and other solutions to address environmental pollution. That was a wake-up call to me to create the iPLEDGE Project, a campaign that encourages youth and students to live a greener lifestyle, reduce their carbon footprints, and make a pledge for the environment. The Chemical Science Society taught me and trained me = to become an effective leader and educator. They are my inspiration, and I owe my success to them.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders that are looking to bring about positive change in their communities through EE?

The essence of environmental education is translating awareness into action. We should be creative in communicating with our target stakeholders. It may take time to create effective communication tools and strategies, but it is very rewarding when you help develop green minds, green hands, and green hearts among your stakeholders – all of which result in improving people’s behaviors and attitudes toward the environment. I will always believe that there is no greater mission and no greater honor than providing this service for the Filipino people.

What keeps you motivated, inspired, or hopeful for the future?

Seven out of ten Filipino youth actively participate in environmental activities, and eight out of ten agree that their participation is important for our nation. These 2016 statistics from the National Youth Commission motivate me to develop programs and modules to further strengthen environmental education in the country (awareness), to be more inclusive and involve more youth in environmental activities (action), and to provide an avenue for young leaders and youth organizations to be more pro-active for environmental protection and conservation (collaboration).

The Philippines is one of the world's largest producers of coconuts. Just like the ordinary Filipino, this tree is simple yet can provide many basic needs for our people. Coconut trees can reach a height of 98 feet, while still attached to the ground by a strong fibrous root system. Similarly, in life, it's really important to strive to be a better leader and person, but stay grounded and stay humble even when we are at the peak of our success. Lastly, coconut trees generally have slender trunks which help guide coconut farmers to easily collect the coconuts. I compare this to being a youth leader - we need to guide and help aspiring young leaders to grow and become successful in their chosen field. Being a leader is not always about being the best, but rather about creating better lives for others.

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Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Age: 30

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m the co-founder, Executive Director, and Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas (SPS), a non-profit organization and movement to protect the Philippines’ marine resources by mobilizing citizen-led action for collective action and behavior change. All of our projects have a strong environmental education and experiential learning at their core: the Sea and Earth Advocates Camp focuses on youth empowerment; Earthducation trains teachers on environmental education; and the Shark Shelter Project uses sharks as flagship species for community-based resource management. SPS also has an active social media presence – we try to create original content every week. In these activities, my role ranges from content creator, copywriter, facilitator, teacher, and workshop designer.

What inspired you to become a champion for the environment and environmental education?

The Philippines is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but it’s also a hotspot, meaning we’ve lost at least 70% of our original habitat. Witnessing environmental destruction over and over again (such as from dynamite fishing, mining run-offs, overdevelopment, and others) frustrates me, but my persistence also stems from it.

When we carry out an environmental education activity, I see that there’s a 50-50 chance that our participants will make lifestyle changes for the environment. However, if we don’t do it, there’s a 100% chance they won’t. I’ve seen how powerful, transformative, and life-changing education can be, and seeing our participants grow, bloom, and lead has been inspiring.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders that are looking to bring about positive change in their communities through EE?

We begin EE projects with an outcome in mind, but the path to get there is never linear. Listen to what your target audience needs, and understand their level of understanding and the methods they respond to.

What pro-environmental behavior do you think would make a big impact if everyone in the world started doing it?

Refusing single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags and straws. There are 103 million Filipinos, so “it’s just one straw” isn’t just one straw when you multiply it by a population!

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

I’d love to be a mangrove – it’s a super-plant! It can live in a mix of salt and freshwater, and it provides so many benefits: nursery for marine life, home for birds, protection from storm surges, and eco-tourism.