Our partner for the bilateral conference were the students of Pimlico State Highschool of Townsville, Australia. We talked about each other's countries and case studies. We were delighted to share our interests and passions regarding our case studies.

It would have been funny to see two different sets of students from two different places learning about each other amidst a pandemic. However, it opened my eyes to the stark contrast of them being free to go out and be with other people while we were stuck in our homes, having to converse in front of our screens.

From them, I gained knowledge of issues they were facing in their own country. I was surprised to hear that a place where animals are more populous than humans has somewhat withdrawn from engaging with natural initiatives. Currently, they face disasters like droughts, floods, bushfires, and cyclones. The one issue I was most familiar with was their wildfires incident at the beginning of the year. However, they focused more on the problem of unconventional gas exploration in Victoria. As we all know, unconventional gas has three forms: coal seam, shale, and tight. Producing such gas is a threat to the health of the citizens and a matter of climate change. It also does not look pretty in the long term since there would be less water in their lakes and streams and land subsidence. Fortunately, the Victorian government stated that it would implement a ban on unconventional gas. It helped bring up awareness of the effects of the issue of gas production to Australia and, ultimately, the world.

On the other hand, the issue we presented was of the controversial artificial beach in Manila Bay. The Manila Bay is a harbor in our country that serves as the main center of economic activity, which ranges from fishing, industrial, shipping, commercial, aquaculture, and tourism activities. At present times, dolomite fills the bay as part of its rehabilitation and beautification. However, the negative impacts outweigh the positive ones. Some of which is the threat to marine life in the bay, respiratory health of the residents, and depletion of wetland areas. We may have chosen other climactic predicaments to discuss on, but we felt that this was more current and still an ongoing controversy.

Both of our countries continuously face environmental issues that could affect us negatively both now and tomorrow. The difference depends on the responses made by the citizens and the governments. The Victorian government introduced legislation to ban the exploration and development of unconventional gas permanently, while the Philippine government issued a suspension order on the mining sites.

As part of the youth, we recognize our collective power when we stand together to bring awareness and call out for justice. However, the end of the line is always in the hands of those in power. We may not notice it at first, but it is not only us at risk of not seeing a bright future. Our people of old also cling to their stories and places, which may not see many daylights when not taken care of seriously. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect our shared home for our children and theirs.

A single voice can produce a thousand echoes.

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