WeGen believes in the strength and power of collective action. If we're to survive climate change and its devastating effects, we must act now. It's not true that small actions do not matter: they always do. The efforts of every single person making a lifestyle change to help the environment and the planet count!
For now, for households and communities, here are 10 easy-to-do, no-regrets adaptation solutions to help fight climate change. Spread the word among families and communities!
· First, for water sufficiency, we should harvest rainwater. This is a sustainable solution given the country’s current water supply problem. Use the water for household chores like cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, and other areas.
· Second, we can build community food gardens and edible landscapes. From a socio-economic perspective, these gardens and landscapes build trust in the community, facilitate participation, and address food security, which are all vital components of effective adaptation to climate change.
· Third, on the priority area of human security, providing roadside ditches makes a good strategy for mitigating floods and preventing flood disasters triggered by highly intense rainfalls.
· Fourth, championing energy efficiency and harnessing solar and other renewable energy to electrify homes, schools, barangay halls and public places are steps forward toward our goal of sustainable energy.
· Fifth, to achieve ecological and environmental stability, single-use plastics should be avoided. Reducing wastes to zero, recycling and reusing, as well as composting should be promoted at household and community levels to reduce dependence on landfills that generated methane, a potent climate destabilizing greenhouse gas, and to promote the use of organic fertilizers and organic farming.
· Sixth, in promoting further ecological and environmental stability planting bamboo will not only sequester carbon but will also protect slopes to prevent landslides and provide a wide range of livelihood applications.
· Seventh, mangroves and seagrass will protect coastal ecosystems and communities.
· Eighth, the establishment of climate field schools to provide in-depth training and skills development will not only help farmers bolster the resilience of their livelihood, but will also improve food production.
· Ninth, the timely communication of early warning on impending natural hazards to communities must also be institutionalized. Local governments are crucial in ensuring that early warning systems will reach the “last mile” and in ensuring early action at the household and community level.
· Tenth, strengthening humanitarian preparedness, emergency response, and contingency planning will not only save lives but will also enable us to build back from the cascading impact of extreme weather events.