Month: March 2022

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Activist Marinel Ubaldo on Lived Climate Change Realities in the Philippines and Her Fight for Justice

25 March 2022 – by Earth Refuge Correspondent Polly Nash

In this interview, correspondent Polly Nash talks to Marinel Ubaldo about her first-hand experience of Super Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines in 2013 and devastated Marinel’s community and family home. The pair discuss Marinel’s subsequent climate activism and the vital need for people from the Global North to pass on the microphone to those from the Global South who are most severely impacted by climate related disasters.

“I felt like I couldn’t live in my house anymore … even just hearing the waves crashing nearby gave me trauma, gave me chills.”

“If our government were really serious about keeping people safe they should have relocated people living on the shore, because after Super Typhoon Haiyan we’re still facing the same risks and the same hazards”

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Student Grace Fong on the Importance of Climate Change Education

11 March 2022 – by Earth Refuge Correspondent Ole ter Wey

In this week’s interview, correspondent Ole ter Wey talks to climate activist Grace Fong about the importance of climate education. Drawing on her very personal experiences with the impacts of climate change in her home country of Fiji, Grace Fong provides insights into what led her to work for Climate Science, an international organization that promotes comprehensive and accessible climate education for children and young adults around the world.

“Imagine if the politicians that are in power right now had this climate change education when they were in school. That can impact all their decisions they make right now taking into account the whole problem.“

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Fire Fighter Cami Schafer on California’s Devastating Dixie Fire

04 March 2022 – by Earth Refuge Correspondent Polly Nash

In this interview, correspondent Polly Nash talks to fire fighter Cami Schafer about one of the many frightening effects of climate change; the ever-growing threat of wildfires around the world. Last year California was hit by the Dixie Fire, the largest single forest fire in the state’s history. Burning for four months, the Dixie Fire destroyed over a thousand buildings and devastated entire towns. Cami Schafer, who was fighting this fire alongside her colleagues, gives insights into her daily work, her struggles and most importantly, what kept her sane and motivated during the demanding operation.

“You try not to be emotionally attached but you can’t really help it. Those are people’s houses, people’s livelihood, that’s all they have. But then we have to hustle and keep going the next day.”