Karaniwang Tao: Filipino Response to Pope Francis’ Challenge on Climate Change

Abstract

When Pope Francis published Laudato Si’ on 24 May, 2015, the Philippines was still recovering from the devastation of Typhoon
Haiyan. In this encyclical, his challenge on the issue of climate change and the role of all people in caring for the environment prompted a number of responses from the karaniwang tao – the “common people” – of the Philippines.
Building on the momentum generated during Pope Francis’ visit to the country before the publication of Laudato Si’, the encyclical was received as welcome support for local efforts at recovery. This essay details three responses, as examples of the kind of work the karaniwang tao of the Philippines are doing to deal with the threat of climate change.