In the month of April 2022, environmental strikes, rallies, and protests were set in motion all around the world. Protestors are desperately seeking more decisive action to combat climate change. These proceedings, with the help of social media, evoked further climate awareness all over the world.
Climate change is a present and evident threat to our planet. Extreme weather conditions and environmental disasters have become more frequent, devastating communities worldwide. Near the time of protest, the Philippines suffered from yet another tropical storm, “Agaton”, the country’s third one this year. Occurrences such as this, which scientists had previously only predicted would be brought forth by climate change, are now becoming a reality.
The global protests followed the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report. Which declared that despite years of warnings, global greenhouse emissions have continued to rise over the years up to the present day.
Over 1,000 scientists from 25 different countries spearheaded these events. The organization, called the Scientist Rebellion, stated that its efforts “highlight the urgency and injustice of the climate and ecological crisis.”
On Earth Day, April 22, Filipino youth and civil society organizations held a silent protest at the Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City. This was to take a stand against a proposed 300 MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in San Carlos City. Which they said would only cause climate and environmental harm as well as high-priced but unreliable electricity.
The call to action extended beyond the streets and went viral online on platforms such as Twitter and Tiktok. The issue quickly gained attention, with the climate change topic topping Twitter’s worldwide trending list.
Amidst the videos circulating was one of a group of scientists chaining themselves to a JP Morgan Chase building in Los Angeles; in protest of the bank's fossil fuel financing. Among them was Peter Kalmus, a NASA climate scientist from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
"For decades, we've been trying to warn you guys," Kalmus said. "The world's scientists have been overlooked and it has to stop. Everything is going to be lost."
Most people don't understand the need in trying to reduce their carbon footprints, especially when their direct contribution to emissions is so little. Why should we make our lives more difficult and make sacrifices? What difference does it really make?
"When it comes to climate change, our biggest problem isn't that we don't think it's real. It's that we don't think we can fix it," said climate scientist, Katherine Hayhoe.
The lack of action compromises all of our futures, especially the youth. There are many other things that await them—graduation, travel, new people, and new experiences. With the numerous other issues faced by our society at present, they are already restricted. Why should we restrict them more by dooming the fate of our planet?
This is a wake-up call for everyone. The effects of climate change that we are already facing right now are alarming. If the increase in wildfires, typhoons, and temperature is not enough evidence, think about how all of these will get worse in the near future if we don’t act immediately. It is now up to us to continue this movement. Together we can save our planet, together we can save our future.
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