Environmentalism + Fun x Passion
Young people are often accused of being apathetic towards environmental challenges, and if they do engage in youth activism, images of rowdy and angst-ridden student protesters often come to mind.
Along comes young environmental activist Razceljan Luis Salvarita, who has struck a balance between being openly concerned for Mother Earth and being compelling enough minus the stereotypes.
The
The next time I heard from Razcel, he was at
“I’ve been involved with climate and energy campaigns for some time now. I’m passionate about them because they encompass the collective problems in the following aspects: ecological, economical, socio-cultural, political,” says Razcel on how he pretty much spends his time these days, seriously bothered that experts believe developing countries and the poorest of nations will be hardest hit by the early harmful effects of climate change because wealthier countries can better shield their citizens from flooding, droughts, and other destructive phenomena.
“Of course, I also make sure I have time to organize art exhibits,” adds Razcel, who has founded a Negros-based organization of young eco-artists and advocates called Artpaix.
Coming from a family of well-known
Nurtured in an environment that’s grounded in the arts, Razcel walks the talk. While taking his masters in environmental policy at
For his part, Razcel found the experience both meaningful and fun, especially with the support it generated from family and friends. “The campaign was in time with the day I turned 21. It was a gift to myself and the environment,” he says.
Another enjoyable yet evocative campaign was when he was chosen as the country’s official youth delegate to the 2005 United Nations Climate Change Conference in
At the Bali Climate Change Summit last month, Razcel was part of the creative team responsible for some of the best- remembered sidelights in between high-level meetings, including gamely putting on the polar bear suit for a day. A certified scene-stealer, the polar bear’s guest appearance cut a telling picture; after all, it has been dubbed the “poster boy” among species most threatened by climate change or global warming.
Soaked to the skin under the sweltering
Razcel understands that many people his age find it hard to bridge the gap between what they feel and what they can do for the environment. A feeling of helplessness (“What can one person – a young one at that – exactly do?”) is not an uncommon dilemma.
If current initiatives are difficult to grasp, they can always take one step at a time, and start things rolling even at home. He suggests personal and practical tips on how to be eco-conscious: Unplug. Switch off. Save energy. Support local eco-friendly products.
Aside from environment education and Green Campus Project campaigns with other SolarGen youths in universities, cities and municipalities in Negros and neighboring regions, this budding painter, whose favorite subject is the vibrant underwater life, also has his hands full with volunteer work with different NGOs – Great Physician Rehabilitation for Children (as art therapy teacher) and One Candle Schoolhouse (as art educator) – and is into eco-fashion, making and selling customized colorful tote bags and tropical shirts.
All these bring on the kind of fulfillment that makes you look back at your “youthful adventures” with pride. He hopes too that these will underpin his long-term goal of assuming a major role in championing environmental causes in the coming years. Caring for Mother Earth is not just the business of the government, corporations and environmental groups, but is a responsibility that should also be shared by the youth.
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