Planting the Future

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, a group of young scientists, environmental advocates, and senior high school students from LVD trooped to Barangay 83, San Jose, to participate in a mangrove planting activity.

The event was a collaborative effort of the League of Young Scientists (LYS), Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O), the LVD Senior High School Students and SSM.

The activity aimed to help the community in Brgy. 83 to combat the effects of climate change by planting mangroves along the coastal area. Mangroves are vital to the coastal ecosystem as they protect the shoreline from erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis, and provide habitats for various species.

Aside from tree planting, the organizers also conducted an environmental education campaign. They gave a brief lecture on the importance of mangroves in mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and protecting the coastline. The speakers emphasized that mangroves help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, purify the air, and prevent soil erosion.

The participants also had a chance to interact with the locals and learned about the Barangay's environmental issues. They listened to the residents' stories about how climate change has affected their daily lives, particularly their livelihood, and how the loss of mangroves has worsened the impact of natural disasters. They shared their experiences and knowledge about the environment and discussed ways on how they could help address the environmental concerns in the community.

The event was a success, with dozens of participants joining the activity. The collaboration between the three organizations showed that working together can make a difference in addressing environmental issues.

The event inspired the young participants to continue their advocacy for the environment and work towards creating a sustainable future for the next generations. The organizers hope that through this activity, they could help raise awareness and encourage more people to take action towards preserving the environment, particularly the crucial coastal ecosystems like mangroves.

The activity was facilitated by Mr. Ranniel O. Abarcar, moderator of LYS, and Ms. Lyka Anne P. Omandam, moderator of YES-O LVD Chapter.