LOOK: Through ‘love letters,’ youth call on candidates to address climate change

Voting this election means protecting your loved ones – and protecting your loved ones means protecting the planet from the worsening climate crisis.

As the 2022 election looms, Filipino youth on April 21 called for presidential aspirants to ensure climate justice and climate action are on the next administration’s top agenda.

The call came after the #LettheEarthBreathe global scientist protests and ahead of Earth Day, as Greenpeace and youth partners delivered ‘love letters’ from Filipinos across the country to 2022 presidential candidates’ headquarters in Metro Manila. 

Members of Greenpeace Philippines and youth partners from Love 52 and elections campaign carry signs as they pose after handing over ‘love letters’ to a representative from the office of presidential candidate and Manila Mayor, Isko Moreno at his headquarters in Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. April 21, 2022. The groups gathered letters from the youth across the country, calling on presidential candidates to commit to a vibrant democracy that will enable climate and environmental justice.

The initiative was one of the Love, 52 youth and elections campaign activities, led by youth organizations from various sectors, together with Greenpeace.

The groups are calling on presidential candidates to protect communities and ensure that the country’s next generation will not experience the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

The groups are also calling on candidates to stand for inclusive, transparent, and inspired models of governance that are fully accountable to people and protect and strengthen democratic processes and institutions.

Presidential candidate Jose Montemayor Jr. signs a waiver after receiving ‘love letters’ from members of Greenpeace Philippines and youth partners from Love 52 and elections campaign in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. April 21, 2022. The groups gathered letters from the youth across the country, calling on presidential candidates to commit to a vibrant democracy that will enable climate and environmental justice.

“This election poses a gross lack of discourse on the climate crisis — at a time when scientists around the world are standing up for climate justice,” said Love, 52 youth partner Cris Jamil Hertez, from the Better Normal Youth Movement.

“Meanwhile, typhoons continue to claim lives, homes, and livelihood. We can’t keep playing catch-up with our climate; our future leaders must listen to the youth.”

“Our generation and future ones have the most to lose if our next leaders still choose to sit idly by,” said Love, 52 youth partner Carmela Adelantar, from the National Society of Parliamentarians, Inc.

“They need to hold the world’s biggest polluters accountable for the crisis we’re facing, and come up with coherent plans that will at least help us stay alive beyond the next decade.”

Members of Greenpeace Philippines and youth partners from Love 52 and elections campaign hand over ‘love letters’ to a representative (third from left) from the headquarters of incumbent Vice-President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. April 21, 2022. The groups gathered letters from the youth across the country, calling on presidential candidates to commit to a vibrant democracy that will enable climate and environmental justice.

“We no longer have time to wait. The next administration must place climate action as top priority agenda,” said Greenpeace campaigner Joanna Sustento.

“The climate crisis is not just about the environment–it’s about food, water, lives, health, and the economy. They also need to ensure that democratic processes and institutions are protected and strengthened.”

Greenpeace believes that there needs to be stronger climate action at home. In particular, our incoming government must stop fossil fuel dependence, call on rich countries for more ambitious emissions reduction targets, ratchet up our own reduction commitments, and follow through on our incumbent Congress’ Climate Emergency Declaration with a coherent climate plan.

Members of Greenpeace Philippines and youth partners from Love 52 and elections campaign hand over ‘love letters’ to a representative (right) from the office of presidential candidate, former national police chief and senator Panfilo Lacson at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City, Metro Manila. April 21, 2022. The groups gathered letters from the youth across the country, calling on presidential candidates to commit to a vibrant democracy that will enable climate and environmental justice.

“This is not just shading on a ballot – we are talking about the future of our country and our next generations. 2022 should not just be another year of loss and statistics; it must be the year of climate justice,” Sustento said.

Love, 52 is a reference to the current Filipino voting population, composed of 52 percent youth voters (aged 18-40) according to Comelec. To learn more about the Love, 52 youth and elections campaign, please visit act.gp/love52.

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Source: we the pvblic