Environmental and Social Responsibility: Face to Face with Young People

One enjoyable aspect of growing older is having the opportunity to speak with children and teenagers about their responsibilities to society and the environment. With what I consider to be a rich experience in advocacy work for the environment and good governance, spanning from my teenage years to my present middle age, I feel confident sharing my thoughts, which I believe they can learn valuable lessons from. This is why I always accept invitations to speak before young audiences, plus the fact that it rejuvenates the young heart in me.

 

In my latest face-to-face interaction with young student leaders from elementary and high schools in my hometown, I discussed the topic of Environmental and Social Responsibility, as assigned to me. I emphasized that as stewards of the planet, we are all responsible for ensuring the protection and conservation of natural resources. Young people can make a significant impact physically, as they have the energy needed to clean and green their communities. It's not necessarily about doing big voluntary work; environmental advocacy starts with each individual, from reducing their carbon footprint to planting even just a single tree, which can already make a significant difference. As older individuals, we can only guide them and be happy and proud of what they're doing.

 

In the context of current social realities, I told the young people that they're being challenged to create safe spaces and inclusive communities where respect for diversity is at its core, whether in real life or in the virtual world of social media. I emphasized that bullying should never be tolerated and that schools and communities should be free from it. 

I also advised them to prioritize education over romantic relationships at this young age. It's saddening to see cases of teenage pregnancy on the rise across the country, and our municipality is no exception. Such increasing demographics of teenage parents will take a toll on the government's anti-poverty programs, as well as the decline of morality and the devaluation of the ideals of what a family, courtship, and marriage should be.

 

I encouraged young people to be part of the solution to the climate crisis and moral decay in society. The best thing they can do is to be part of the solution. In their homes, classrooms, and villages, they can practice simple eco-friendly habits and promote morality-centered communities. This, I believe, is more possible if one is not enslaved by worldly desires but instead focused on doing selfless service to the world. I encouraged them to study the Word of God and manifest it in their lives. 

Ultimately, I advised them to spread love, kindness, and respect wherever they are and to any creature they meet. I believe that's the key to being a responsible steward of the earth and a responsible individual. With everyone being responsible to one another, building a sustainable and safe community can never be impossible.