BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 1 (PIA) --- In a recent “Walk, Run & Bike for Environment”, Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 (DENR-7) recognized thousands of student-participants as powerful agents of climate change advocates.
Dir. Montejo has called on the students from different colleges and universities in Dumaguete City to bring forth collective action to address the various environmental challenges.
“One of the global challenges that the people are facing right now is climate change. The vitality and sense of involvement of the youth are needed to be empowered citizens and as partners in pursuing to protect and conserve environment and natural resources,” cited Montejo.
Climate change alters the frequency and intensity of weather events, he said.
Super typhoons and cyclones are causing widespread devastations, loss of lives and properties and cause sufferings of the populace.
Montejo cited super typhoon Yolanda that brought devastating effects to communities along the coastlines thus, storm surges could happen and this is the “new normal”.
In the same event, young people expressed their concern over the increasing threat posed by rising global carbon emissions and the changing climate, thus, each school representative presented some solutions to the problems thru their slogan and poster they made.
A student from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) stated in his poster: “Protect the Nature for Our Future Children”.
For his part, Gov. Roel Degamo, through his executive assistant Angelo Tiongson, cited the importance of young people being environmentally conscious with transportation choices that can make a big impact on reducing emissions.
Montejo strongly considered collective responsibility and people’s commitment by protecting and keeping the environment as the country works for economic development.
The DENR official said that with Presidents Aquino’s executive order No. 26 to reforest 1.5 million hectares of land under the National Greening Program, this may pursue sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In his final statement, Montejo said that "not only do young people have a right and a need to tackle climate change, they also have much to contribute.” (rmn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)