More than 1,000 residents sought shelter in Tinabanan Cave, climbing 32 feet of slippery soil and limestone to escape the super-typhoon that struck on November 8, which killed over 6,000 people and displaced about 4 million. Lorna dela Pena, 66, was alone during the storm but managed to evacuate despite feeling disoriented. She recalled how everything was destroyed by the storm, but she made it to safety in the cave. She mentioned that stairs were finally added to the cave after the Haiyan disaster, fulfilling her grandfather's dream. While providing hot porridge to evacuees, dela Pena realized the significance of local organizations in assisting communities in becoming more resilient to harsher weather conditions caused by global warming. She emphasized the importance of unity in helping others, stating that what one person cannot achieve alone becomes possible when everyone comes together. Inspired by this, she collaborated with others in Marabut to establish women's groups that address various issues. These groups now lead in organizing workshops on organic farming, conducting discussions on violence against women, and promoting the adoption of renewable energy among women in the community. Azucena Bagunas, 47, and dela Pena are part of a group of individuals known as "solar scholars" who received training from the Philippines-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), an international nonprofit organization focused on promoting low-carbon development and climate resilience. Following Typhoon Haiyan, the women learned how to operate portable solar-powered generators called TekPaks in order to better prepare for disasters. These TekPaks are used during evacuations and have proven to be life-saving technology. They illuminate dark areas like the Tinabanan cave, making it easier to count the number of people seeking shelter there, and also charge mobile devices to maintain communication lines. Bagunas recalled a time when the TekPak was used to power a nebuliser during an asthma attack, ultimately saving a life. Bagunas and dela Pena are educating other women on how to operate TekPaks and informing them about the advantages of renewable energy. In Marabut, women now make sure their solar-powered equipment is charged before a storm hits so they can evacuate their communities safely. Bagunas noted that using solar energy is more cost-effective than depending on coal-fired electricity from the grid. She emphasized that by utilizing solar power as the primary source of energy in homes, there would be no need to pay for electricity, as long as there is a solar panel available for affordable and dependable power. Bagunas also favors solar power as a safer alternative. In June, her brother's house next to hers caught fire due to a live electricity wire hitting his roof, causing some parts of her own house to catch fire as well. According to Department of Energy data from 2020, the Philippines still relies on coal and oil for about 60% of its energy, with only 34% coming from renewable sources. However, the government plans to transition to a larger share of renewable energy, such as solar, with a goal of half of power generation coming from renewable sources by 2040. Chuck Baclagon, Asia regional campaigner for 350.org, a group supporting grassroots climate action, believes that efforts by the ICSC to bring solar power to communities will help increase clean energy at the local level. Today's current centralised power system, which relies on fossil fuels, does not effectively address energy poverty in remote island areas that are far from commercial centres, according to a statement. The transition to solar energy challenges the belief that transitioning is unaffordable, as fossil fuels are expensive due to their market volatility from being imported. Renewable energy sources like solar are easier to implement locally as they utilize resources readily available in specific locations with high potential, the statement continued. Leah Payud, resilience portfolio manager at Oxfam Philippines, expressed support for initiatives introducing solar energy in impoverished rural communities, particularly to assist women and children who are especially vulnerable to climate change. She mentioned that women's unpaid care work and domestic work doubles during disasters, and their burden is increased by the need to find an energy source to carry out these tasks. Women lack access to a clean kitchen and electricity, which makes cooking meals, breastfeeding, and sanitizing equipment more difficult. She stated that women should be involved in expanding the adoption of clean, cheap, and easily available energy because they are the main users and producers of energy. Without their involvement, renewable energy initiatives may not be suitable. She emphasized that gender justice is essential for climate justice. One effective method of introducing women to renewable energy is by having them create a 24-hour clock of their household chores and identifying the energy sources they use for each task, according to Payud. By consulting with Oxfam staff on switching energy sources, women can potentially reduce their workload, making the concept more relatable. This exercise has shown that many women spend over 13 hours a day on unpaid family care work, which has only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with the added responsibility of home-schooling. In energy-deprived areas like Suluan Island, women are responsible for collecting water and are put at risk when they have to venture out after dark. Solar lights have proven to be a more reliable alternative to oil lamps, as they do not require women to travel across the sea to purchase fuel. Payud stated that solar energy is the most effective energy source in times of disaster, especially when the main power supply is disrupted and travel between islands is not possible. She mentioned that after Haiyan, it took six months to restore grid power in remote communities, a situation that could have been avoided if women had access to alternative energy like solar. According to dela Pena and Bagunas, women should take the lead in addressing climate change and energy poverty because they are the ones who typically handle family crises first.