Ateneo High School Holds First Greeneration School to School Campaign

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — How does Climate Change affect you and your school or community? This was the big question asked to the high school students of the Ateneo de Davao University last September 2, 2014 during the Greeneration School to School Workshop conducted by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the sole policy-making body of the Philippines government which is tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009.

The campaign is being conducted to different schools, colleges and universities in the country to raise awareness among youth about the causes and effects of climate change and how we can reduce our carbon emission. It also aims to engage everyone in the community to participate in different environmental management programs of the government.

Ms. Carmela Marie M. Santos, director of Ecoteneo, explains the Ateneo de Davao initiatives to reduce carbon emission. Photo by Perry Paul G. Lamanilao.

“We need the help we can kasi may mga efforts dito and programs sa Ateneo for environmental management. So these activities complement what we have been trying to do,” said Ms. Carmela Marie M. Santos, director of Ecoteneo, an office in Ateneo de Davao for environmental management. “The Greeneration School to School Workshop serves to gel everything together the efforts of the school and Climate Change Commission,” she added.

Ms. Pebbles Sanchez, Greeneration team head of the CCC, discussed the current situation of the country showing the effects of climate change in health, business and academic sectors. “Climate change is everybody’s concern. And one of the ways we can effectively disseminate awareness is to engage everyone in the discussion about the causes and effects of the climate change,” she said. She added “Greeneration campaign is just one of the initiatives of the Philippine government through the Climate Change Commission to address this global issue.”

#HappeningNow: @greenerationPHL #Greeneration here at @ADDU_Official High School. @pebsanchez @CCCPhl @Joeltaborasj pic.twitter.com/UuFfqRLDAl

— Perry Paul Lamanilao (@perrylamanilao) September 2, 2014

On October 4, a Greeneration Summit Mindanao will be held at the University of the Immaculate Conception – Annex Campus, Bonifacio Street, Davao City. CCC is inviting students and youth leaders from different schools, colleges, universities and civic and social organisations to join the event. CCC will bring its Greeneration Ambassadors and climate change experts to discuss climate change impacts and what students and the youth can do to help save the environment.

Other schools were also visited by the CCC like the University of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Child of Davao College and Davao Doctors College.

Last May this year, Pope Francis delivered a short address in which he argued that respect for the “beauty of nature and the grandeur of the cosmos” is a Christian value, noting that failure to care for the planet risks apocalyptic consequences.“Safeguard Creation,” he said. “Because if we destroy creation, creation will destroy usNever forget this!” (@DCHerald)