From Couture to Climate Justice: Filipino Youth Redefining Activism

How Young Activists Are Using Creativity to Inspire Change

By Winnie French

ENST 432 Environment and Governance: Sustainable Development in the Philippines

B.A. in Intelligence and Cyber Operations '26

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, USC

You’ve seen runways ruled by Fendi, Balenciaga, and Chanel, but the world of supermodels and couture is evolving into a platform for youth climate activists demanding change. The “Fashion Against Fascism and Fossil Fuels” show, organized by Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), made headlines for the way the group was able to turn a runway into a protest stage. On Friday the 13th, models, activists, and artists took the stage to showcase fashion but to also send a message about climate injustice.

Models and activists take the stage at the “Fashion Against Fascism and Fossil Fuels” show, using fashion as a protest platform to call for climate justice and social change. Photo: FAFFF 2024, Nylon Manila

Creative Responses to a Climate Crisis

Across the Philippines, young activists are uniting to draw attention to the imminent threat climate change presents and are doing so with passion, creativity, and resilience. The Philippines consistently ranks among the most climate-vulnerable nations, enduring the devastating impacts of increasingly frequent and severe typhoons, heatwaves, and sea level rise—events that displace communities, threaten food security, and force thousands from their homes each year. For many young Filipinos, their activism is deeply rooted in firsthand experiences – many having seen the effects of climate events on fisherfolk, farmers, and marginalized populations all within their own communities. Rather than accepting this new reality, these activists are using the power of art, culture, and digital media to make their voices heard and bring attention to the urgency climate change poses.

What sets the youth climate activist movement in the Philippines apart from others worldwide is the understanding that climate change is not an isolated issue; it is deeply interconnected to broader economic and political issues facing the country. YACAP and similar groups recognize that the communities most affected by climate disasters are also those most marginalized by existing social structures. This understanding drives their intersectional approach, which sees climate justice as fundamentally linked to other forms of injustice in the Philippines. YACAP’s use of the fill-in-the-blank statement “There is no climate justice without ______ justice” perfectly communicates this viewpoint.

Organizing for Impact

YACAP, established in 2019, is an alliance of Filipino youth organizations, student councils, and individuals fighting against climate change and pursuing climate justice. It is the counterpart of Fridays for Future in the Philippines and has grown rapidly, with chapters across the country representing different regional clusters. I was given the opportunity to hear from YACAP’s National Coordinator, Rae Junsay, who gave insight into the work the group does. It was clear hearing Rae speak that there was an emotional connection she and other members have to their work.

The group’s activities are as diverse as the challenges they face. YACAP organizes social media campaigns, climate strikes, educational programs, and professional development for their members. They have recently launched a podcast to talk about the climate crisis and what the Filipino youth can do about it. Some of their most notable recent activities include the Youth Climate Agenda, which campaigns for green leadership at the national elections, and participation in the Global Climate Strike, which saw millions of young people around the world taking to the streets.

Beyond the runway, YACAP and other youth-led groups regularly host Climate Cafés—safe, inclusive spaces where students, environmentalists, and advocates can gather to discuss climate issues, share personal stories, and build solidarity within the movement. These cafés often take place in community-oriented venues, such as coffee shops run by families affected by social injustices, further highlighting the intersection of climate action with broader struggles for human rights and social equity. YACAP also participates in national and regional conferences, such as the ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Conference, where they collaborate with peers from across Southeast Asia to shape policy recommendations and advocate for youth-led climate solutions. Through these events, Filipino youth are not only raising awareness but also building a movement rooted in creativity, resilience, and collective power.

YACAP pictured at a protest with other climate activist groups at a climate protest. Photo: “Mitzi Jonelle Tan on Why the Youth Are Speaking Up for the Planet,” Purveyr.

Resistance Rooted in Justice

Youth climate activists in the Philippines have demonstrated remarkable courage and determination by actively participating in political protests, often at significant personal risk. Activists like Mitzi Jonelle Tan and Krishna Ariola have become prominent voices, using their platforms to highlight the intersection of climate justice with broader social and political struggles, such as land rights, labor, and gender equity. The protests are not only about environmental issues but also about challenging systemic injustices and demanding accountability from both government and corporate actors. The Philippines is one of the deadliest countries in Asia for environmental defenders, with activists facing threats of harassment, red-tagging, and violence for their advocacy. Despite being faced with these threats, young activists continue to mobilize. Their participation in political protests has become a defining feature of the youth climate movement in the Philippines, illustrating how climate activism is deeply intertwined with the fight for democracy, human rights, and social justice.

The global youth climate movement is also notable for its use of unconventional methods to draw attention to the crisis. From dramatic protests at art galleries in the UK to traffic blockages in Germany, young activists are finding new ways to capture public attention and challenge the status quo. But what sets the Filipino movement apart is its deep connection to the lived experiences of its people and its commitment to intersectional justice. By connecting climate action to social and political change, Filipino youth are not only demanding a livable future—they are reimagining what that future can look like and inviting the world to join them in the fight.