Climate Change

In the Philippines, climate change isn’t just something we hear about on the news it’s something we live through every day. From storms that seem to come out of nowhere, to floods that leave families stranded, to the rising heat that makes life more difficult, the effects are real and constant. Yet, in spite of all this, Filipinos continue to show what it means to be resilient.

You can see it after a typhoon has passed. Streets are flooded, power lines are down, and entire communities are devastated. But what’s just as certain as the disaster itself is the spirit of bayanihan the willingness of neighbors to lend a hand. Families pull together to rebuild homes, share whatever food and water they have, and give hope to each other in the hardest moments. It’s not about waiting for someone to fix things; it’s about taking the first step, together.

While many of us suffer from the effects of climate change, it’s often the most vulnerable who bear the brunt. Farmers lose their crops to flooding or drought, fishermen see their livelihoods vanish as waters become unpredictable, and families living in coastal areas watch as the sea inches closer and closer to their homes. These people, however, don’t just endure; they keep adapting, finding new ways to survive and help each other along the way.

But we shouldn’t wait for disaster to strike before we act. Resilience is not only about bouncing back it’s about preventing the worst from happening in the first place. Every little change counts, whether it’s cutting down on plastic use, planting a tree, or conserving water. The power to create change is in our hands, and it’s through our collective action that we’ll make the biggest difference.

Filipinos are known for their warmth and compassion, and this shows in times of crisis. In the face of the changing climate, it’s this same compassion and sense of duty to one another that will carry us through. We don’t just survive we rise, together, stronger and more united.

Through shared strength, kindness, and determination, we will face what’s to come and continue moving forward, not just as individuals, but as a nation.