Author: Earth Refuge

Ariana Vargas is a correspondent at Earth Refuge. She is a Costa Rican lawyer with a master’s in international law and Human Rights from University for Peace. She has always been interested in Climate Change and Climate Migration, but during a previous investigation she made during her classes at the University she realized the many challenges people being forced to flee their homes to feel safe are facing. That is why she has been involved with Earth Refuge to be able to help and make visible the consequences and impacts of this phenomenon on the population.

Email: [email protected]

Benjamin Chappelow is a writer and analyst based in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. As an immigration researcher and former Narrative Writer for the Climate Resilience Toolkit, he is focused on how the stories we tell dictate our behavior in ecological crises. In his spare time, he enjoys writing fiction.

Email: [email protected]

Dave Inder Comar is the managing partner of Comar Mollé LLP, a technology law firm with offices in San Francisco and New York, and Executive Director of Just Atonement Inc., a non-profit law firm dedicated to defending democracy, human rights, and a livable planet.

Licensed to practice law before the California and New York bars, Mr. Comar is passionate about using the law to maintain and preserve global civilisation. He believes that the response to climate change must alleviate enduring inequalities and lay the foundation for a world where people live in balance with themselves, each other, and the planet.

Email: [email protected]

Justine Lecoq holds an LLB (hons) from City, University of London, an LLM in Human Rights Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and is currently completing a specialization in Migrations and Interculturality in Latin America. She also is a qualified Immigration Adviser for refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in the UK.  

Justine has a strong interest in Migration, Human Rights, Refugee Law, Indigenous and Minority Rights, and Environmental Law. She has experience working and volunteering in various NGOs in the UK, France, Australia, and Ecuador. 

She has a passion for social justice and enjoys reading and hiking during her free time.  

Email: [email protected]

Olivia Lang is a Canadian student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver pursuing an undergraduate degree in Human Geography and Law alongside a Masters of Business Management. Olivia aspires to become a human rights lawyer in the future with a focus on the intersection of the refugee crisis with environmental degradation. Currently, Olivia works on the legal research and social media teams at Earth Refuge in hopes of highlighting the compassion necessary to understand the human consequences of the climate crisis. In her spare time, Olivia can be found enjoying British Columbia’s beautiful nature by running, hiking and biking.

Email: [email protected]

Ella Kiyomi Dobson graduated from Dartmouth College with a major in Environmental Studies and minor in Studio art. Currently, they are a research and teaching assistant at Dartmouth, working in the Ong Agroecology Lab. They are studying agroforestry practices on local farms, the effects of land use legacies on forest biodiversity and age, and teaching a summer undergraduate field course on agroecology.

They are particularly interested in the intersection of environmental and social issues pertaining to ecological conservation and food systems. With experience both working in the field of marine research, and sustainable food systems, they are interested in how socioenvironmental issues can be alleviated through education, social learning and community building.

In their spare time, they can be found in the rivers and lakes of Vermont, out for a walk with their dog Scooby, or cooking and eating delicious local produce!

Email: [email protected]

Prudence Nhau is a legal researcher based in Zimbabwe. She has bachelor’s degrees in Social science and Law from Rhodes University and a master’s degree in Public law from Stellenbosch University. 

Prudence developed an interest in research, environmental protection, and climate justice when she was doing a sustainable development course during her master’s. Since completing her studies in 2020, she has taken great interest in and participated in various environmental protection and climate adaptation projects in Zimbabwe.

Outside of work, Prudence enjoys watching basketball and crime documentaries, baking, and going on hikes.

Email: [email protected]

Daven Camille is a Business Systems specialist based in Australia, with expertise in data visualisation, corporate finance and process automation.

Drawing from his role within the sustainable infrastructure sector and service with the Australian Defence Force, Daven hopes to utilise his passion for delivering actionable information and implementing innovative solutions through his proven experience in data analytics, as well as risk and operational management strategies.

Daven’s love for adventures sees him chase every opportunity to meet new people, go new places, and try new things, and when he’s not behind the desk you can find him on his latest escapade.

Email: [email protected]

Cosmo Sanderson grew up in Brighton in the United Kingdom and went on to study at the University of Sussex, completing a BA in English Language and Linguistics and an MA in Multimedia Journalism.

After taking time out to live in Canada and pursue his love of skiing, Cosmo moved to London and joined the legal publication Global Arbitration Review. There, as an assistant news editor and senior writer, he reports on international legal disputes and other aspects of international law, including environmental issues.

As someone who is passionate about protecting the environment and highlighting the stories of those most affected by the climate crisis, Cosmo was delighted to be able to become part of the Earth Refuge team.

In his free time, Cosmo enjoys running, reading, and films. He is a long-suffering fan of Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Email: [email protected]

Willy is a correspondent for Earth Refuge, contributing regularly to the Current Affairs section.

Willy Phillips graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College in 2020. Throughout his studies, Willy found a passion in the tension between humans and water resources. From flooding to drought, Willy sees water usage to be a critical course of study as climate change exacerbates resource access.

Currently, Willy runs a recreation area in New Hampshire, focusing on improving the sustainability of the grounds through a conscious reduction of resources.

Next year, Willy hopes to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science and hydrology in London. Willy hopes to gain practical skills which give him a path to inform perceptions of wastewater and ultimately reduce fresh water demands of municipalities.

Outside of work, Willy can be found swimming with his dog, Scooby, practicing saxophone, and learning how to hold a handstand.

Email: [email protected]