Climate Change, Universities and Local Municipalities

It’s been over two years since I worked with the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) to support them in their goal to become a leading national institution on climate change. It was a very exciting assignment that was closely related to the work I’ve done professionally as a community and municipal planner.

Canada, like many other nations, has been living unsustainably for many years. Thankfully, more positive, sustainable actions are now taking place – many at the local level, such as my experience in Peachland, BC. It was this knowledge that I was able to share with our clients in Lucban.

The Philippines is prone to the damaging effects of climate change. Every year, different towns and provinces in the country experience extreme weather – from flooding that wipes out livelihoods to the adverse effects of droughts on agriculture.  Governments, particularly at the local level, can play a key role in encouraging and implementing sustainable planning and in reducing harmful emissions. So, I was very keen on taking on a project with an institution that is determined to find sustainable solutions to this major global issue.  

With the goal of helping the SLSU administration to connect the dots between governance, funding, programming and partnership, I set out to work. I conducted two workshops and spoke at a conference for the Philippines National Educators for the Environment (PNEE). In every instance, I talked about the importance of climate change planning and the roles of universities and local municipalities.

While working with the local municipality administration of Lucban and SLSU faculty members, I demonstrated the benefits of having a strong connection between science-based, academic research and how it could be implemented in a practical way at the local level. The workshop session produced a vigorous discussion and I was pleased to see that there was a network established to work together in the future toward a common goal. Both were enthusiastic to undertake research on the municipality’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Disaster Assistance Planning and the reforestation of Mount Banahaw.

I also met with the various faculties at the university to find ways to implement courses and programs related to advancing solutions to climate change into as many faculties and departments as possible. I hope our work together will meet the objectives – improved and enhanced climate change programs at SLSU, an even stronger partnership with the local government in Lucban in providing research and technical information to the community and in implementing climate change actions. Additionally, I hope the report created will be used to demonstrate SLSU’s commitment and ability to combat climate change, and hopefully may open the door for national funding assistance for the expanded climate change programs to be developed at SLSU.

My work with SLSU and the local municipality of Lucban has allowed me to find new ways to use my professional experience, as well as to develop strong friendships internationally. At the time of my visit, I was even invited as a guest to a special cultural event at the San Isidro Pahiyas Festival. It was a lot of fun and I’ll do it over again. I continue to keep in touch with the people there and I am so grateful to have been part of their journey.

My work as a CESO Volunteer Advisor has been very rewarding. Stay tuned for my next post about the most fulfilling work I’ve done in my entire career as a professional planner.