Children form human tree formation as protest against climate change

It was a perfect day. The ground was soft, the green grass still slightly damp from the morning dew. There was a cool breeze in the air. The sun was shining high in the sky, but the large trees provided shade from the worst of the heat. It was the kind of day you often read about in books but see so rarely in reality.

And on that day - on November 20, 2019, children across different ages and cultures rallied together to ensure that perfect days like that one could still exist in the future. In an event hosted by the Save Our Schools Network, kids formed a giant human tree formation at the University of the Philippines (UP) sunken garden, calling for climate justice and greater government action against climate change. The children of the Lumad community formed the roots of the tree, symbolizing the indigenous peoples’ position in the frontlines of the climate struggle.

The giant human tree formation echoed a similar protest last September, where climate advocates in UP Diliman created a human earth formation as part of the global climate strike. That global strike is now being considered as the single largest protest action against climate change, with over four million participants worldwide.

Starting them young

The event, entitled “Children 4 Climate Justice”, was held in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Aside from the human tree formation, the event also featured different speakers to educate the children about their rights, as well as their role in the fight for climate justice.

Representative Sarah Elago of the Kabataan party-list emphasized the importance of children in the struggle against climate change.

“Hindi dapat maliitin ang ating boses dahil tayo ang magmamana ng bayan na ito.Tayo ang magmamana ng Pilipinas na ito. At may responsibilidad tayo na kumilos ngayon na upang matiyak na maipanalo ang magandang bukas na iyan.”

She also focused on the children’s right to education. She called out the injustice of closing down over 50 Lumad schools in Mindanao.

“Gayun din sa ating mga batang mga Lumad, higit limampung mga paaralan ang naisara. Ipinagkakait ang karapatan na matuto, makapagbasa, magsulat, sa matematika, upang kanilang malaman ang kanilang mga karapatan at maipagtanggol ang kanilang lupang mga ninuno,” said the representative.

She also touched on the health risks posed by dirty air and water supply.

Rep. Eufemia Cullamat from the Bayan Muna party-list explained how the battle against climate change is intersectional, and involves everyone. She demanded greater accountability from corporations that damage the environment in the name of profit.

“Hindi mahihiwalay ang isyu ng pagkawasak ng kalikasan mula sa pangangailangang pagpapanagot sa mga korporasyong tumutulong sa pagkasira nito” she said.

Rep. Cullamat also praised the Lumad children for fighting for their rights and for the environment, comparing them to child activist Greta Thunberg.

“Makikitamo si Greta Thunberg sa katauhan ng mga kabataang Lumad na patuloy na lumalaban sa kapaligiran. Makikita natin na hindi lang din sa kabataang Lumad, kung hindi ang lahat ng kabataan, pati ang lahat ng mamamayan ay kumikilos para tutulan ang climate change”, she said.

Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela Women’s Party called for greater care and benefits for marginalized children.

Exercising more than just rights

A program created for kids wouldn’t be complete without games. After patiently listening to the speakers, the children played classic Filipino games such as tumbangpreso and luksongtinik. For younger kids, there was also a story-telling session related to the theme of climate justice.

Children and climate change

According to the 2019 report of medical journal The Lancet, children are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

One point of concern is health. A number of sicknesses thrive in warmer temperatures, particularly mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. The report tells us that children, “are among the most susceptible to diarrhoeal disease and experience the most severe effects of dengue fever.”

Children are also more at risk to electrolyte imbalance, fever, respiratory disease, and kidney disease during periods of extreme heat.

Another concern is nourishment. Already, children in the Philippines are at great risk due to malnutrition. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) paints a grim picture:

“Every day, 95 children in the Philippines die from malnutrition. Twenty-seven out of 1000 Filipino children do not get past their fifth birthday. A third of Filipino children are stunted, or short for their age. Stunting after 2 years of age can be permanent, irreversible and even fatal.”

The lower crop yields and decreased fish populations brought about by climate change would only make this situation worse. The Lancet report adds, “Undernutrition overwhelmingly affects children under five, causing intrauterine growth restriction, stunting, severe wasting, micronutrient deficiencies and poor breastfeeding.”

Another global climate strike will be held today. This time, it won’t just be children - the whole world will once again clamor on the streets to push the government into greater action against climate change. Maybe this time, they’ll be heard.