SDG 13: Climate Action

Taking Greener Steps towards a sustainable future

BLUER OCEAN, GREENER FUTURE
Coastal Clean-Up Drive at Brgy. Dalipuga, Iligan City

The University's commitment to environmental stewardship was exemplified through its WE CARE initiative, which, in collaboration with the College Extension Coordinators, Department of Marine Science, and the Marine Science Student's Society, organized a Coastal Clean-Up Drive at the picturesque Centennial Park in Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City. This concerted effort aimed not only to promote the preservation of our coastal areas but also to underscore the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation. 

Aligned with the initiatives of the Local Government Unit (LGU) Iligan and the Iligan Bay of Commerce and Industries, the clean-up drive served as a tangible demonstration of solidarity in fostering environmental responsibility. By rallying citizens to actively participate in the preservation of our natural resources, the event sought to ignite a sense of ownership and pride in the local ecosystem. Moreover, the Coastal Clean-Up Drive was not merely a local endeavor but also a part of the global movement commemorating the 2022 International Coastal Clean-Up Day. As such, it symbolized our collective commitment to safeguarding our oceans and shorelines for future generations. Through collaborative efforts like this, we pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future, where communities thrive in harmony with nature. The success of the Coastal Clean-Up Drive stands as a testament to the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges and nurturing a culture of environmental stewardship.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AS CITIZENS SCIENTISTS
Training of Trainers (TOT) in Capacitating IP communities as Citizen Science in Carbon Sequestration and Forest Resource Monitoring on the CADT Areas in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental

Most of the IP communities, who are economically marginalized, have succumbed to (1) selling their rights to use the land (usufruct) to urban dwellers with surplus earnings, or (2) converting forests to farms, plantations, resorts, or rest houses. Since forests provide significant ecological and economic services, a significant number of tree stands should be maintained to ensure that the integrity of the forest should be preserved.

To address this problem, the University conducted a “Training of Trainers (TOT) in Capacitating IP communities as Citizen Science in Carbon Sequestration and Forest Resource Monitoring on the CADT Areas in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental”. The general objective of this project is to develop Citizen Scientists among the Indigenous People (IP) Communities on Climate Change Mitigation.

The training made use of three (3) major approaches to maintain a significant number of tree stands, while still making use of the economic services of the forest, and thereby, uplifting the economic condition of the IP communities. These are:

To combine the Non-Timber Forest Products and the REDD+ programme.

Since measuring the amount of carbon stored is an iterative process, the Indigenous Peoples Communities were then trained on how to:

A manual was crafted for the benefit of the IPs, using their’ dialect, and incorporating various illustrations which were customized per CADT area. During the whole project implementation, the team made sure that the procedures do not conflict with their traditions and cultures. Overall results show that the IPs are now ready to do the actual field samplings and computations on their own. Indeed, it is possible to pass on Science to the IPs, who would help their community and our community.