To build and expand a nationwide network of fishery research communities through effective communication linkages, Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, Scientist IV and chief of Training Division of the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, gave a talk during the annual science fair of St. Bridget School Quezon City with the theme “Visions of Repertum: SBS Science Fair 2023” to 400 high school students on March 23, 2023.

In his talk, Dr. Santos emphasized the importance of research for the environment, citing the movie “Don’t Look Up” as an allegory for climate change. The film tells the story of two astronomers trying to warn humanity about an approaching comet that symbolizes the impact of climate change, while also satirizing political, celebrity, and media indifference to the crisis.

Dr. Santos highlighted the reports published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which involves 270 scientists from 67 countries and is reviewed by almost 63,000 experts, and emphasized that the scientific evidence is clear: climate change poses a threat to human well-being and the health of the planet. He also discussed the impact of previous strong typhoons like Ondoy, Yolanda, Ulysses, and Odette in the country.

In conclusion, he stressed that there is still much to learn about climate change and its impacts on the Philippines, highlighting the need for more Filipino scientists to join the effort to address this global issue.

In response, the students shared the lessons that resonated with them after the talk: climate change has affected our world and country significantly; therefore, we should listen to the warnings of scientists and experts and develop more Filipino climate change experts to aid in formulating adaptive capacities for the vulnerable sectors.

The event was organized by Tangkay Organization, a student-based organization from the Senior High School Department at St. Bridget School, in collaboration with the Science Department. ### (Cyrenes Moncawe)