Mars Arriesgado, Philippines
Goal: Incorporate climate risk assessments in coastal urban areas in East Asia and the Pacific
Cities around the world are grappling with a slate of complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. Yet, many of them are simply unequipped to meet them due to outdated, overburdened infrastructure and green skills gaps among their workforces. Mars Arriesgado ‘26 MEM has spent the past several years supporting climate mitigation efforts in the Philippines, a country that is highly vulnerable to floods, cyclones, storm surges, droughts, and other natural disasters.
As a licensed environmental planner in the Philippines, Arriesgado collaborated with local governments to incorporate climate and disaster-risk assessments into their medium- and long-term planning. That work built on previous work he did with the Philippine Department of Transportation to modernize (and decarbonize) the public transport system in Manila — the country's capital and its second-most populous city. He also worked as an environmental engineer for a commuter railway project. At YSE, Arriesgado hopes to acquire the knowledge and skills to accelerate urban climate solutions.
“Cities are primary drivers of economic activities worldwide. Simultaneously, cities are key consumers of energy and major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions, while also being vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. With this in mind, I want to enhance the climate resilience of cities in East Asia and the Pacific Region, particularly those on the coast,” Arriesgado said.
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