The Philippines ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels, intensifying typhoons, and unpredictable weather patterns are already reshaping communities across the archipelago.

The Youth Response

Young Filipinos are not waiting for permission to act. Across the islands, student-led organizations are mobilizing communities, advocating for policy changes, and building resilience from the ground up.

Maria Santos, a 23-year-old organizer from Manila, started her climate justice journey after Typhoon Haiyan devastated her grandmother’s hometown in 2013. “I realized that we couldn’t just wait for governments to act,” she explains. “We needed to build power in our communities.”

Training the Next Generation

Through AktivAsia’s fellowship programs, activists like Maria have gained skills in campaign strategy, community organizing, and digital advocacy. These tools have helped them amplify their message and build coalitions across the region.

The work continues. As climate impacts intensify, so does the determination of these young leaders to create a just and sustainable future for all Filipinos.