Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1160, declaring November 25 of each year as the “National Day for Youth in Climate Action,” the Philippines recognizes the role of the youth in contributing to the fight against climate change in their unique and useful ways.

The proclamation urges the youth to take action on climate change challenges, pushing young people, in particular, to contribute to keeping global warming below two degrees Celsius.

This climate change awareness campaign is spearheaded by the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC).

One of the activities being seen that promote climate action is biking or cycling.

In the country, more and more bike lanes are being put up by the government to encourage a greater number of the population to engage in biking.

Based on studies, biking reduces not just unwanted fats, but one's carbon footprint as well.

To recall, carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released by an individual or group into the atmosphere as a result of the activities they do, like transportation, food, and clothing consumption.

Carbon footprint is not good for the environment as it causes global warming, which causes climate change or the long-term change in a place's temperature and usual weather patterns.

Other damaging weather phenomena connected to climate change include more frequent and more severe hurricanes, floods, and rainfall.

Combining digital and on-the-ground initiatives, these "10 Youth-led Climate Actions" are the Filipino youth's solution to the climate crisis:

• Practice urban gardening;
• Utilize rainwater;
• Walk, bike and carpool;
• Leave no trace when traveling;
• Contribute and share eco-data;
• Promote environmental and energy consciousness;
• Refuse single-use plastic;
• Consume responsibly;
• Grow a tree; and
• Promote renewable energy.

According to the United Nations, the world is home to some 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 to 24 — the largest generation of youth in history.

Young people are increasingly aware of the risks and challenges presented by the climate crisis and of the opportunity to achieve sustainable development brought by a solution to climate change.

The United Nations said young people are not only victims of climate change. They are also valuable contributors to climate action.

"They are agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators. Whether through education, science or technology, young people are scaling up their efforts and using their skills to accelerate climate action," it added. (PIA-NCR)