Maryknoll Sister Marvelous ‘Marvie’ Misolas, MM and Milagros S. Serrana, both from the Philippines will co-present this webinar.

Sister Misolas, is a member of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic.   Her mission includes Taiwan, Costa Rica (studies), the United States and now serving in the Philippines. She represented her congregation to various UN conferences (Rio+20, Paris Climate Conference, and Migration Conference in Marrakech).  She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Environmental Studies Institute at Miriam College. Her work focus is on Climate Change.

Milagros S. Serrana Program Leader of the Ako Ang Bukas is an educator focused on raising awareness on the state of the Philippine and global environment and how to address environmental problems. She served at Miriam College for 30 years under various capacities including being an Associate Professor, Chair of the Biology Department, Assistant Chair of the Graduate Program on Environment, and member of the Academic Council.

Confronting Climate Change: Advocacy for a Planet in Peril will highlight two initiatives in the Philipines.  Milagros S. Serrana will discuss the Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, a coalition of networks, organizations and individuals working for a development paradigm that addresses the need for social and economic upliftment, while preserving life-supporting water, air and land for generations to come. Established in 2007, its flagship programs – monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan (Forum on the Environment), yearly State of Nature Assessment, the biannual Philippine Environment Summit, and the Ako Ang Bukas (I am the Future) Movement raise awareness on the critical environment issues in the Philippines.

Sister Marvie will confer on the ESI’s reforestation program in the southern Sierra Madre mountains of Tanay, Rizal, east of Manila.  This project covers 261.5 hectares of reforestation land, helping regenerate the southern Sierra Madre Mountain range.  It aims to sustainably manage reforestation and restore existing forests and biodiversity in the southern Sierra Madre by its use of traditional knowledge by indigenous Dumagat Remontado peoples.  It will also reinforce with science-based capacity the local communities in the conservation and protection of the forest and its biodiversity.

Philippines is at the forefront of climate change and its impact.   It is a top three in climate vulnerability because of its geographical location, but also high inequality and high percentage of population living in poverty.   The combination of climate change and extreme poverty puts the Philippines as one of the most vulnerable countries in the region.