How are you impacted by climate change or how is it impacting your community?
My country is very vulnerable to climate change. Being made up of tropical islands, we are suffering the effects of sea level rise, new diseases (like zika virus), coral reef bleaching, drought and most recently two Category 5 hurricanes that are probably just a preview of the increased activity we will have in the upcoming years.
I knew for a long time that I would live the effects of climate change, but seeing the destruction caused by hurricanes gave me a very different perspective on how people will be suffering. I heard about many deaths, my neighborhood was unrecognizable and I wasn’t sure when I would be able to get food and water again. All these situations are eye opening and inspire a larger need to solve these issues.
What do you think young people should be doing right now or after the march addressing climate change?
I think people need to take action in their own hands and in the present. Many times it feels intimidating to start your own project or campaign, but people need to recognize the incredible power and talents that they have which can be of great benefit for the movement.
What do you think should be the government’s role? Or should it be the community’s responsibility to aim for climate justice?
It is everyone’s role to take action. The government should be the one working to protect its people but since it is acting extremely slowly, communities can take the role of protecting their surroundings and inspiring others to act.
