It's pretty clear that Gen Z and millenials are different from other generations. Yes, all youth generations have been progressive at one point, but today's youth take on a more active voice and are known to utilize their platforms to fight for their cause. The pandemic did not stop these young activists in spreading the message for their missions. Whether it be performative activism educating the general masses or fundraising to support underserved communities, the activism goes on. Here’s a spotlight on Filipino youth organizations leading environmental activism in the country. 

#1. Bye Bye Plastic Bags PH

Bye Bye Plastic Bags is a global youth led NGO that aims to empower the youth to create a plastic-free world. Its activism is based on main pillars including education, policy, showing solutions, and global activism. In addition to its regular beach cleanups, it has expanded its platform to social media aiming to increase awareness on environmental issues. The organization’s posts span from green lifestyle to climate justice. Since the pandemic, the organization has launched webinars where they bring in speakers to speak about environmental issues. Their recent webinar “For People & Planet” covered issues ranging from legal awareness, eco tourism, and solid waste management. 

#2. One Million Lights

One Million Lights is a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to “improv[ing] the quality of life of Filipinos by providing clean, safe, and accessible solar-powered lights to impoverished, off-grid communities and disaster-stricken areas” in the Philippines. Many off-grid communities in the Philippines have to rely on kerosene lamps that are harmful and inefficient in many ways. These lamps emit 100 kilograms of carbon dioxide each year and are hazardous as the fumes can danger respiratory systems. Furthermore, they are cost-inefficient for these communities as they only last for a couple of days, which result in families having to spend approximately ⅓ of their income on purchasing lamps. The solar-powered lamps are a way of protecting the environment as well as supporting these impoverished communities. Solar-powered lights “offset carbon emissions released by kerosene lamps” and are safer in terms of health and user safety. As the lamps last longer, it is cost efficient and more sustainable for longer use. The organization has launched multiple chapters in schools around the Philippines and has improved the lives of more than 13,000 households across the country. 

Works Cited

One Million Lights. “ABOUT: One Million Lights Philippines.” One Million Lights Philippines, 2017, onemillionlights.org.ph/about.html.

One Million Lights. “WHY LIGHT?: One Million Lights Philippines.” WHY LIGHT? | One Million Lights Philippines, 2017, onemillionlights.org.ph/whylight.html. 

Bye Bye Plastic Bags PH (byebyeplasticbagsph), Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/byebyeplasticbagsph/