The “Feeling Climate Change to the Bone” webinar, co-hosted by the Department of Management and Green Lab of Monash University, held last September 6, tackled the stories of hardships, hope, and resiliency of farmers and farmer groups and the power of community as they deal with the impact of climate change, in particular, food security.
Hosted by Associate Professor Jagjit Plahe from the Monash Business School, the webinar put a spotlight on the members of MASIPAG (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura), a farmer-led network of landless agricultural workers, Indigenous Peoples, NGOs, and scientists in the Philippines. Speakers from MASIPAG generously shared a glimpse into their lives, shedding light on the devastating effects of the climate crisis and discussing how they continue to battle this global problem.
While acknowledging the many challenges, the farmer-speakers from MASIPAG agreed that the bayanihan spirit drives them to build and support a community and ensure a better future for the farming industry.
MASIPAG farmer-trainer and BAKAS (Buhi nga Aksyon para sa Kauswagan kag Pag-amlig sang Seguridad sang Mangunguma kag Mamumugon) leader Rodolfo F. Cortez Jr. said bayanihan has enabled them to create partnerships among farmers, scientists and NGOs to achieve common goals.
Alfie Palumbarit, MASIPAG National Coordinator and current MASIPAG Climate Change Resiliency program head, notes how climate change is not just a climate issue but a social justice concern. Furthermore, farmers also face injustices, like threats, intimidation, and violence.
Monash University, in collaboration with MASIPAG for six years now, believes in addressing climate change and its effects. In a study conducted by Monash University and the University of Newcastle on social movement organizations in the Philippines, Professor Sarah Wright, Future Fellow in geography and development studies at the University of Newcastle, highlighted the importance of co-developing stories and analyses with the ones most affected to understand the complex issues of climate disaster better.
Reflecting on the issues discussed by Filipino farmers, Wright likewise pointed out the importance of hearing from people on the ground. She encouraged the webinar attendees to engage more deeply, listen more intently, think more openly, and act with greater solidarity in the face of these challenges toward working for long-term solutions.