Marinel Sumook Ubaldo

Marinel Sumook Ubaldo is a 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
Impact of Typhoon Haiyan, The Philippines (2013)

Ubaldo (born 1997) is from Manila in the Philippines. Her father is a fisherman.[1]

Before 2013, Ubaldo had been a 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 15m (45ft), particularly affecting low-lying regions of the Philippines.[2] Over 6,000 people were killed in the disaster and 28,000 injured.[3] Scientists have stated that severe weather events such as this typhoon, are being exacerbated or made more likely by increasing global temperatures.[4] Having experienced first-hand the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, Ubaldo continued her climate activism, lobbying governments on climate change issues.[3]

Activism

Ubaldo advocates for a ban on single-use plastics, the reduction of carbon emissions and investment in renewable energy.[3]

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]

In October 2019, Ubaldo attended a climate leadership training event in Yokohama, Japan, established by Al Gore. She also spoke at various Japanese universities.[3]

Ubaldo has said that:[3]

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.[5] She says she remains optimistic that strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change can be developed.[3]

References
  1. "Meet Marinel Sumook Ubaldo, Philippines". Nobel Women's Initiative. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  2. "Typhoon Haiyan: Before and after the storm". BBC News. 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  3. 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.
  4. Vidal, John; Carrington, Damian (2013-11-13). "Is climate change to blame for Typhoon Haiyan?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  5. Ubaldo, Marinel Sumook. "I Don't Want to Be a Climate Statistic". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
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