Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III underscored Tuesday the importance for young Filipinos to be at the forefront of national efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, as they have the biggest stake in saving the planet from the environmental crisis that will “hit us like a tsunami” unless its “destructive course” is halted.

Filipino youths who will have to face the worst effects of climate change as these intensify over time comprise the last generation that can end the planet’s environmental destruction, Dominguez said.

“Climate change is happening. It is real. We see its effects in our daily lives. People do not realize it, but climate change will hit us like a tsunami if we continue to do nothing about this worsening crisis. It could wipe away all our economic gains in one go if we fail to mitigate it,” said Dominguez at the opening this morning of Sulong Pilipinas 2021: Climate Change and the New Normal with the Youth Sector.

Dominguez told over 500 leaders and members of various youth organizations gathered virtually for the event that the participation of today’s young generation is critical in achieving the country’s climate ambition and in building “a greener, healthier, and climate-resilient future” for the planet.

“As bearers of the future, the youth–who will have to live through 2030 and beyond–have the greatest stake in overcoming this crisis. It is therefore very important that you understand this issue and take the lead in reversing this destructive course,” said Dominguez, who is concurrent chairman-designate of the Climate Change Commission (CCC).

Dominguez said the greatest defense that can be mounted in this battle is climate literacy, which is why the government is utilizing the Sulong Pilipinas forum to raise public awareness and spur climate action, especially among the youth.

“Today, we recognize and celebrate the crucial role of the youth in our society. You are the last generation that can end the climate crisis,” Dominguez said.

The next period following the end of the COVID-19 emergency will be “one of multifold challenges,” as “we have a country to redeem from the ravages of the pandemic,” “an economy to rebuild,” and “a planet to save from the carelessness of past generations,” he said.

Dominguez told the Sulong participants that their fresh insights and perspectives will prove valuable in forming the government’s climate policies that will help shape the course of their future.

He called on the youth to “reimagine everything” in crafting solutions to the climate crisis.

“You are capable of coming up with ambitious, creative and doable ideas that can make a lasting difference,” Dominguez said. “We need your determination to build a greener, healthier and climate-resilient future. We want you to use your talents, knowledge, and passion to achieve our climate ambition.”

Department of Finance (DOF) Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez said the Sulong forum will discuss how the Philippines can achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that was submitted last April 14 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The NDC embodies the commitments of the Philippines to the Paris Agreement to reduce national carbon emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change.

Alvarez, who is the Assistant Secretary for Climate Change Finance and Disaster Risks, said the forum participants “can expect to learn about the economic impact of climate change, the scientific forecast in terms of our changing weather, and understand what problems each sector faces in relation to climate.”

House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda will attend the event to talk about the Congress’ push for a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, through House Bill (HB) No. 9147 or the Single-Use Plastics Products Regulation Act, said Alvarez.

Alvarez, who is also the representative of the DOF Secretary in the Advisory Council of the Principles of Sustainable Finance, said representatives from the government, private sector and civil society will also discuss at the online Sulong forum their own initiatives to counter the harmful effects of climate change.

Hosted by the DOF, the Sulong forum is streamed live on the Facebook pages of the DOF, Sulong Pilipinas, CCC, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) and other government agencies.

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