Last November 20, 2018, The University of the East-Manila Outfit 1331 attended the Climate Change Science Youth Congress with the theme: 1.5°C: Climate Challenge Survive and Thrive Together, Nurturing Climate Leaders of Tomorrow at the F1 Hall, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Four (4) Senior Scouts attended the said event accompanied by Assistant Outfit Advisor Scouter John Kristoffer B. De Jesus.

The Outfit attended the whole afternoon session of the conference that mainly focused on Water Security and Farming Modernization. Twelve (12) Philippine Science High School System students in groups of three presented their own sustainable projects and ideas on how to improve the lives of farmers as well as on how to conserve our planet’s natural resources.

The Climate Change Commission Secretary Mr. Manuel De Guzman opened the congress with guidelines on how the next generation can be a big factor in preserving our planet. 

“This congress provides children a stage to showcase their gifts, both in talents and futuristic ambitions to stop today’s greatest humanitarian challenge, climate change", said Sec. De Guzman.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Mr. Renato Solidum Jr. and the University of the Philippines alumni Dr. Teodoro Herbosa also shared their own experiences fighting against climate change,

“I was still haunted when our roof was torn apart during a storm”, shared Dr. Herbosa.

Cabinet Secretary Mr. Karlo Alexei Nograles also delivered the keynote speech.

“We expect a higher quality of research from the youth to solve all the new problems about water security and food scarcity", stated Sec. Nograles.

The first group of students discussed about the unknown water resources of the Imee-Irene Falls in Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte which spans 17 kilometers. The water that flowed in the twin falls became the water source of the locals when drought stroke.

The second batch of students focused on the problem of rice and water security, together with them is an prototype of their invention, the AWD or the Alternate Wetting and Drying Technology which have been proven to have reduced 52.8% water and saved 1.7M L in 1 hectare of land within 5 months.

The third set of students put their center of attention on agriculture development where they used a pomelo as their main example. The pomelo or citrus maxima and its inner middle part which is called the “lamala” that is also locally used to make gelatins was discovered to be a big factor in reducing starvation and as well as reducing the use of toxic materials.

Finally, the last group of students gave attention to other ways on agricultural modernization where they introduced a design for an automated spray irrigation system for cabbage farming. Their idea was also to rapidly reduce water usage as well as to help in contributing against climate change problems.

After all the group presentations, the judges asked on how their creations can help the world, the people as well as the efficiency and the cost of the needed materials to create their inventions.

After the event ended, Scouter John Kristoffer B. De Jesus brought us back to the University of the East-Manila where we all parted to go home.