AUN-EEC and GIZ organize a talk on climate situation and science communication

The 2025 AUN-EEC Talk on Climate Situation and Science Communication entitled, “Temperature Check: Not Just a Weather Talk” was held on 30 April 2025 at Heyden Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. The event was a hybrid one, attended online by over 200 participants from the ASEAN region.

The central message of the event was to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis and the means to communicate this to inspire collective action. 

The first featured guest, Mr Wilmer A Agustin, is currently a Weather Specialist in the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division at DOST-PAGASA. 

Mr Agustin delved into climate drivers, a comprehensive climate review of the second half of the year 2024, and an outlook of the ASEAN regional climate. He stressed that Southeast Asia experienced warmer-than-average land and sea surface temperatures in the latter half of last year. In turn, the region can expect above-normal rainfall across much of mainland Southeast Asia this year. 

There was a lot to underscore in his call to action towards the urgent need for regional preparedness in the face of intensifying climate variability and natural hazard exposure.

The second featured guest is an Associate Professor from Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Communication. Well versed in science and risk communication, Dr Inez Ponce de Leon encouraged participants to ask questions like, “What does it mean for you in everyday life?” and “What about the context of those who live the message?” By putting research into context and engaging in dialogue, researchers can better connect with communities, built on conversations between equals, shaped by shared memories, and driven by collective dreams for the future. 

To her, through storytelling, science becomes more than data and becomes personal, relevant, and actionable. Dr Ponce de Leon ended her talk by urging the audience to see science communication as a way of telling our story and sharing our lives.

At the end of the event, a ceremonial token exchange took place between AUN-EEC, represented by Executive Director Dr Emmanuel Delocado, and GIZ, represented by Mr. Jimmy Loro. AUN-EEC and GIZ will be co-organizing the events cycle for 2025 that focuses on climate change education and climate information services.