Dr Emma Porio pushes for urban resilience and justice at ISA Forum in Morocco

At the International Sociological Association (ISA) Forum 2025 in Rabat, Professor Emeritus Emma Porio (Sociology- RGL-SOSS) of Ateneo de Manila University delivered a powerful talk on “Interrogating Environmental Justice in the Anthropocene.”

She spoke about the growing pressures cities in the Global South are facing—not just from climate-related events like floods, sea level rise, and storm surges, but also from deeper political and economic shocks that threaten the stability of communities.

Professor Porio challenged traditional ways of thinking in sociology, calling for new models that better reflect the realities of the most vulnerable. She shared a vision of resilience built around the food-energy-water (FEWs) nexus, especially for those most at risk. 

She highlighted two key challenges: the specific drivers of climate and disaster risks in cities, and the overlapping vulnerabilities many communities face. At the same time, she pointed to promising innovations—like rethinking outdated planning models, promoting locally led solutions, and forming meaningful partnerships across sectors through green and circular economy efforts.

Dr Porio talk ended with a hopeful message: resilience efforts must be contextualized, proactive, and people-centered, rooted in real community experience. She also drew from her past work with former Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga on how climate and disaster risks cascade across different sectors.

Prof Porio also serves as lead author for the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (2025–2027).

Image Credits : ISA Website (https://www.isa-sociology.org/en/conferences/forum/rabat-2025)