Marinel Ubaldo was born in Matarinao, a fishing village in the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean, where her family life revolved around beautiful beaches and relied entirely on income from fishing.
In November 2013, the typhoon Haiyan destroyed and swept away her house, disrupting their lives and causing 6000 casualties. From the debris of that catastrophe, she acknowledged the need to fight for climate justice. Marinel became a committed member of the organization Plan International and a climate activist, engaging governments in supporting local communities, more exposed to climate change.
Her campaign with Amnesty International, addressed to the Philippine Government, to secure a house for the survivors of the typhoon, has led to more than 600.000 worldwide actions.
Now Marinel is a full time activist and social worker co-founding the Youth Leaders Federation for Environment Action. She regularly joins climate conferences, calling upon the climate change main players to act upon their responsibilities now. .
Marinel often reminds us that children are the most affected by climate change, deprived of their right of education and often of food.
Her story has inspired the movie The Girl and the Typhoons, directed by Christoph Schwaiger, with Marion Cotillard.
Climate Hero