Marinel Sumook Ubaldo

Marinel Sumook Ubaldo (1997) is a Filipinos climate activist from the Philippines who helped to organise the first youth climate strike in her country. She testified as a community witness for the Philippines Commission on Human Rights as part of their investigation into corporate responsibility and whether the effects of climate change can be considered violations of Filipinos’ human rights.[1]

Background and education
Impact of Typhoon Haiyan, The Philippines (2013)

Ubaldo was born in 1997 from a father who is a fisherman[1] in Matarinao, Salcedo, Eastern Samar.[2]

Ubadio first learned about climate change and disaster risk reduction in October 2012. Ubaldo was also a past youth leader at Plan International, an organisation that aims to promote children and female rights. In this role, Ubaldo states that she educated local groups on the causes of global warming.[1]

In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan brought winds of up to 275 km/h (170 mph) and waves of up to 15 m (45 ft), particularly affecting low-lying regions of the Philippines.[3] Over 6,000 people were killed in the disaster and 28,000 injured.[4] Scientists have stated that severe weather events such as this typhoon, are being exacerbated or made more likely by increasing global temperatures.[5] Having experienced first-hand the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, Ubaldo continued her climate activism, lobbying governments on climate change issues.[4]

On 2015, Ubaldo gets a scholarship to study social work.[6] She was studied at Leyte Normal University to get a degree of Bachelor of Science in Social Work[7] and graduated at August 2019.[8]

Activism

Ubaldo advocates for a ban on single-use plastics, the reduction of carbon emissions and investment in renewable energy.[4]

In 2015, Ubaldo spoke at the United Nations (UN) Climate Conference where she said ‘"please think about us, think about the coming generations who will suffer because you did not make decisions in time"'. Ubaldo has stated that fighting climate change is the ‘purpose of my life’.[1] At the same year, he also feature in a documentary which directed by Christoph Schwaiger.[9] The film was titled Girl and Typhoons[10]

In October 2019, Ubaldo attended a climate leadership training event in Yokohama, Japan, established by Al Gore. She also spoke at various Japanese universities.[4]

Ubaldo has said that:[4]

First World countries…[could] stop fueling climate change, and change business practices so your carbon emission could be lessened…These countries should be responsible and be held accountable. It’s so unfair for people, for nations like the Philippines, to suffer from a phenomenon that we haven’t caused.

Ubaldo says that fossil fuel companies should not be allowed to dictate the response to climate change.[11] She says she remains optimistic that strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change can be developed.[4]

On July 21, 2021, she testified in a United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing called "Combatting Climate Change in East Asia and the Pacific."[12]

Career

Ubaldo is working as an advocacy officer for Ecological Justice and Youth Engagement in Living Laudato Si’ Philippines.[13]

References
  1. "Meet Marinel Sumook Ubaldo, Philippines". Nobel Women's Initiative. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  2. Shadijanova, Diyora (4 November 2021). "Climate activist Marinel Ubaldo: "We can't wait for more disasters…". The Face. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  3. "Typhoon Haiyan: Before and after the storm". BBC News. 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  4. Takahashi, Ryusei (2019-11-05). "Filipino typhoon survivor tells of brush with climate crisis, urges Japanese to act now". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  5. Vidal, John; Carrington, Damian (2013-11-13). "Is climate change to blame for Typhoon Haiyan?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  6. "Gen Z on how to save the world: young climate activists speak out". the Guardian. 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  7. "Send Marinel to Asia Student Summit". GoGetFunding. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  8. "Marinel Sumook Ubaldo, Philippines : surviving climate change, demanding dignity" (PDF). writeathon.ca. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  9. Dy, Richard (2015-12-10). "Yolanda survivor makes waves in Paris climate talks". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  10. Sion, Ingrid (2015-12-09). ""La Jeune Fille et les typhons"". TéléObs (in French). Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  11. Ubaldo, Marinel Sumook (3 December 2019). "I Don't Want to Be a Climate Statistic". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  12. "Combatting Climate Change in East Asia and the Pacific | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations". www.foreign.senate.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  13. Ubaldo, Marinel (26 December 2021). "Rising Up from the Rubble of Disasters". Youth4Nature. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
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