Filipino Youth's Awareness of Climate Change Impacts: Basis for Program Development in Vulnerable Urban Communities

Abstract

The research study aimed to determine the present level of climate change awareness among Filipino youth participants. There were 222 Filipino youth participants, ranging in age from fifteen (15) to thirty (30) years old, representing the twelve (12) urban vulnerable communities in the National Capital Region (NCR). Philippines, volunteered to participate in the study. The research instrument used in data gathering was researchers-made questionnaire based on the climate change impacts of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippines, and other related studies. The descriptive statistics revealed that, among the areas where climate change can have a negative impact, half of the Filipino youth participants from vulnerable urban communities were only moderately aware of its effects on agriculture, health, and water resources. Furthermore, it revealed that, according to the Filipino
youth, coastal resources, forestry, and infrastructure were not given much attention. Similarly, Spearman's Rho revealed a significant relationship between the level of climate change awareness among Filipino youth participants and their parents' highest educational attainment, as well as the type of family they reside in. Thus, the context of the findings must be considered as a basis
for program development to create a comprehensive, inclusive, and community-centered environmental literacy program to enhance Filipino youth’s awareness of combating climate change