Trapped in traffic gridlock last week, I could not help but contemplate the so-called "silver linings" that the pandemic supposedly brought us, terrified humans back then.

Where did the appreciation for peace and quiet, no traffic, and clearer skies go? What happened to the newfound determination to spend our precious time on earth nurturing what matters most: family, health, nature, and time?

It all seems like a distant memory — those past three years when we battled with the unprecedented and grappled with the unknown.

These days, we find ourselves back in the grind — the rush hour traffic, the unbreathable air, a jeepney strike that brought back memories of those traffic-free days during the pandemic.

Another thing that has come to the fore with the ongoing 10,000-strong Piston transport strike is that the air seems cleaner without the jeepneys.

This is one benefit of the government's public utility vehicle modernization campaign that has continued to be an issue for this jeepney operators' group that refuses to accept that some things are not only bound to happen — they should happen.

How long have we been complaining about the pollution caused by the jeepney's outdated technology? The lousy driving practices of jeepney drivers who seem to have their own traffic rules? The alleged unfairness of the boundary system?

The PUV modernization should address all that — the only block to its full implementation seems to be long-held sentiments that the government should somehow be able to explain fully to all concerned. After all, it has been a number of years of struggle with the transport improvement plan.

Resistance is always a challenge, even with the problem of climate change.

On this matter, the "future of our planet" worries they may no longer have a planet to call their own. 

And this fear may not be far from the truth, as data shows grim prospects for the earth, affecting weather, sustainability, and livelihood, among others.

Climate change, as far as the youth know, has always been here. It is a slap to our faces — the previous generations — that we had let it get to this point.

All those decades ago, when environmentalists were being called nuisances or fanatics, the planet was already dying. Air quality, ocean degradation, deforestation — big business has no business complaining now about how resources have been massively depleted.

Governments are also ensuring the food supply will be sustained far into the future, and the fight for natural resources may no doubt escalate to more than just water cannon-blasting and bullying in disputed waters.

The youth, who will bear the brunt of decades of ignorance, greed, and negligence or inaction, are taking a more active stance to save what's left of the planet.

Unicef recognizes this, stating: "…far from being passive victims, young people worldwide have begun to fight back on a scale never seen before.

Take Greta Thunberg. In 2018, the 15-year-old from Sweden sparked a global movement of school-age students demanding greater action from governments to fight climate change. Now, millions are marching to demonstrate their support.

"Whether through education, technology, science or law  young people far and wide are tapping into their skills to speak up for climate action."

This time, though, they have had enough of talk — they are taking part in decision-making and expressing their views, not only on Unicef's Voices of Youth, but on TikTok or whatever social platform is sparking conversation among the younger generations. I believe we should all listen.