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Denise Gonsalves

Denise Gonsalves is Editor at Sustina. She is a Manila-based journalist, editor, and science communicator covering climate and the environment. A former travel and lifestyle writer, she now reports on biodiversity, oceans, and climate justice. Her byline has appeared in Asian Scientist Magazine and GRID Magazine.


The Philippines’ second NDC is ‘awaiting scheduling’ as ICJ climate ruling raises the stakes

As one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, the Philippines helped push for the ICJ ruling. But its own updated climate targets are still unsubmitted.

The Ocean Cleanup brings its award-winning plastic interceptor to Philippine rivers

The global nonprofit is committed to stop plastic waste from entering Manila Bay, starting with the Meycauayan River.

Her sister was a force of nature. Berta Lopez is the tide.

Berta Lopez once thought she did not fit the mold of an environmentalist. Seven years into leading the ABS-CBN Foundation, she's stopped asking if she qualifies.

Mangroves can’t speak, so she speaks for them

Camille Rivera on the challenges of being a young woman in environmental work, and why empathy is the key to saving ecosystems.

Why we can’t ‘read our way’ out of climate change

Environmental reporter Nisha Balaram shares her storytelling approach on zero waste versus incineration.

ASEAN needs to harmonize its carbon frameworks. Where do we begin?

At the ASEAN Climate Dialogue, experts weigh in on what the region needs to deliver credible carbon credits.

Design meets diskarte: Inside Tropikalye’s archives

A photo essay on inventiveness and love for mint green in the Philippines.

Notes from the Philippine Decarbonization Forum: ‘Credible climate action requires credible data’

At the inaugural Philippine Decarbonization Forum, DENR and SEC officials addressed the country’s carbon market readiness and what still stands in the way.

An update from Carbon Majors, the database that informed the Philippines’ climate petition

Carbon Majors served as the basis for the Commission of Human Rights’ National Inquiry on Climate Change in 2022.

Learn from environmental lawyers: The state of climate litigation in the PH

A growing number of environmental lawyers in the Philippines are working to give climate litigation teeth.

Learn from data scientists: Digital tools make mangrove mapping faster and easier

A knowledge-sharing event organized by Thinking Machines gathered researchers and conservationists to discuss the growing role of AI in mangrove forest protection.

A scientist’s defense of the Philippines’ hated ipis

Some scientists study cockroaches to extinguish them; a rare few study them out of love. Cristian Lucañas is part of the latter.

Inside APCER: Taiwan’s economy of second chances

At APCER 2025, our writer finds that the most compelling metric for a circular economy doesn’t have anything to do with money.

Mitzi Jonelle Tan: On activism and leading with love

A snapshot of climate activist and national convener for YACAP, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, before she begins a new chapter abroad.