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6 Eco-Warriors Leading the Charge on Climate Action

Can one person, or recycling one plastic bottle, really make a difference in global warming? YES. Your actions can encourage others to make eco-friendly choices, triggering a ripple effect.


Find inspiration from six eco-warriors who have led their communities to take climate action together.

1. Scientist Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, Ph.D

I Am the Change in Climate Change author Alyssa Alampay.

I Am the Change in Climate Change by Alyssa Alampay won a Kid's Choice Award at the 7th National Children's Book Awards.

Image Credit: Office of the Secretary of the University UP

University of the Philippines geology professor Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay uses the power of storytelling to inspire kids to become eco-warriors.


Prof. Alampay has decades of experience in science, including a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the University of California. However, the challenge lay in explaining big concepts to school-aged kids.


Her award-winning book, I Am the Change in Climate Change, focuses on science-based activities and simple ways to protect the planet. It helps kids understand global warming and make them feel they can be part of the solution.


Though Prof. Alampay understands climate change won't be solved in her lifetime, she also believes “no matter who you are, you can be an agent of change."

2. Climate Journalist Lou Albano

Climate journalist Lou Albano.

Lou Albano produced the digital video series Generation Restoration, which documents how ordinary Filipinos take climate action.

Image Credit: Lou Albano

Climate change involves complex issues and technical jargon that can be hard to grasp without a science background.


Lou Albano's climate reportage hopes to change that.


The GMA News Online managing editor writes stories in clear and accessible language that help Filipinos understand the impact of global warming on their daily lives.


For instance, Albano's story How Do You Solve a Problem Like Manila? connects the value of more green spaces to temperatures and flooding. In another article, she explains how plastic pollution affects the air you breathe.


Lou told a magazine she initially thought she had to pivot from being a lifestyle journalist to a "real" climate reporter. After joining the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (OCJN), she realized she could apply what she learned at OCJN to her lifestyle stories about climate action.

3. Artist Desiree Llanos Dee

Tofu Creatives co-founder Desiree Llanos Dee.

Desiree Llanos Dee serves as Chief Doodler at Tofu Creatives, the visual storytelling agency she co-founded.

Image Credit: Desiree Llanos Dee Instagram

Climate change reports aren't exactly beachside reading, unless Desiree Llanos Dee is in the room.


Dee, who has worked at the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines and Greenpeace Southeast Asia, takes visual notes during climate change conferences. Her “doodles” summarize the information and turn the minutes of the meeting into inspiring artwork. (See some of her work on Instagram.)


“When we understand each other better, it becomes clear what we can do together,” said Dee at the Filipina Changemakers: Champions For Climate Resilience forum.


Organizations like the United Nations, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organization frequently invite Desiree to participate in their events. This shows how people can use their jobs or talents to become planet protectors.

4. Solar Entrepreneur Illac Diaz

Liter of Light founder Illac Diaz.

Illac Diaz’s MyShelter Foundation runs Liter of Light, a global ambassador for UNESCO's International Day of Light.

Image Credit: Illac Diaz Instagram

Millions of Filipino households don't have access to electricity. So, imagine the "wow" moment when they saw a video of Illac Diaz creating a makeshift lamp using water and bleach in a one-liter plastic bottle.


Over the next 13 years, the viral video has blossomed into Liter of Light, which has now illuminated over a million homes worldwide. The non-governmental organization also trains climate-vulnerable communities to construct and install solar lights and turn them into businesses.



Illac proudly states on Liter of Light's website, "Everyone can now be a solar engineer."

5. Farmer Louie Ocampo Gutierrez

Urban Farmers PH founder Louie Ocampo Gutierrez.

Louie Ocampo Gutierrez wants to see displaced workers become community leaders with Urban Farmers PH.

Image Credit: Louie Gutierrez Instagram

Businessman Louie Ocampo Gutierrez first contemplated farming during the pandemic lockdown, when it was harder to get groceries or buy fresh produce.


He lacked expertise or viable space in his home, but as the saying goes, "necessity is the mother of invention."


After asking his Bel-Air neighbor if he could use their idle land beside his house, Louie went from growing one plant species of vegetables and flowers to 50. He ended up being his community's go-to vegetable market at a time when it was hard to buy food.


The homegrown project became the bedrock of Urban Farmers PH, which now runs four thriving edible gardens: Bel-Air, Pasig City Rainforest Park, Bonifacio Global City, and San Miguel Corporation's Ortigas head office. It also holds regular “grow-your-own-food" workshops where proceeds go to the farm operations and workers.



Louie hopes to inspire more communities to grow their own food and promote a sustainable lifestyle. In a video, he shares, "It's not the money, it's not the income. It's the peace of mind and satisfaction that you can feed good food [to] the community."

6. Social Entrepreneur Nanette Medved-Po

HOPE founder Nanette Medved-Po.

Nanette Medved-Po visits Barangay 105, one of the poorest areas in Tondo.

Image Credit: Nanette Medved-Po Instagram

Many Filipinos know Nanette Medved-Po as the classroom builder. Her social enterprise, HOPE, sells clean and purified water, and 100% of the profits go towards building public school classrooms. But, Nanette has found more ways to combine business acumen with environmental responsibility.


HOPE now runs the "Aling Tindera" waste-to-cash network. The project provides women micro-entrepreneurs with resources and training to purchase plastic waste from their neighbors. The Aling Tinderas sell the plastic waste to HOPE, which upcycles, recycles, or converts it to a responsible alternative energy source.


The initiative helps clean the environment, empowers women to become small business owners, and helps the rest of the community earn extra. It's a win-win situation that has everyone fighting plastic pollution, thanks to Nanette's visionary leadership.

Become an Eco-Warrior

A woman's hands holding a mobile phone that shows SIM to eSIM card replacement.

Switching to an eSIM helps you reduce plastic waste for a greener lifestyle.

Kickstart your journey toward an eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are two super simple ways to get started on your mobile phone.

Globe eSIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM embedded in your device, allowing you to activate a mobile plan without a physical SIM card. So, using a Globe Postpaid or Prepaid eSIM means you're reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions. Another bonus: no need to fumble with tiny plastic cards to insert them in the SIM tray. You can buy a Globe Prepaid eSIM through the GlobeOne app, which you can easily download on your mobile phone.

GForest

GCash runs a reforestation program called GForest that allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. Earn green energy points every time you complete a digital transaction. When you collect enough points, you can plant a virtual tree in the app. A real tree is planted at a partner reforestation site on your behalf.


Small actions can make a huge difference. These eco-warriors have shown how individuals can mobilize communities to take climate action.


You can do the same in your circle of influence, from teaching your kids about environmental heroes to spearheading a recycling project in your office.


Globe joins other eco-warriors in leading the charge for climate change. It is the first Philippine telecommunications company to get ISO-certified for energy efficiency and conservation. It was also included in the Financial Times’ list of Asia Pacific’s Climate Leaders two years in a row. Individuals, communities, and companies like Globe can work together to become the heroes the Earth needs.

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