Faces is what we call our testimonials hub, where the reality of climate migration is humanised. By amplifying the voices of those affected, we move away from a dissociated understanding of the issue and instead move towards understanding the kaleidoscopic nature of environmental migration.
Our Correspondents carry out interviews with individuals from communities impacted by climate-induced displacement or related factors, with those on the ground seeking to help, as well as with experts in the field. Listen to these stories and our Earth Refuge Original Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube or right here on our website.
Latest Interview
In this interview, Marinel Ubaldo talks about the devastating impacts of Super Typhoon Haiyan on her home village in the Philippines in 2013. Subsequently, Marinel shares about her 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.
If you have been affected by climate change or you know someone that has, or would otherwise be interested in sharing their story, please email us at [email protected]. If you are curious about the role of an Earth Refuge Correspondent, please click here.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the following interviews conducted by Earth Refuge are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the position of Earth Refuge or any other agency.
Inventor Fionn Ferreira on Removing Microplastics from the Oceans – Earth Refuge: Faces
In this interview, correspondent Freya Mutimer and Fionn Ferreira from Ireland talk about his experiences as a young inventor, chemistry student and climate activist. They discuss the terrible consequences of micro-plastic pollution and the innovative ways that he proposes to solve this crisis. Fionn also expresses his passion for encouraging young inventors as a way to fight the climate crisis.
"I wanted to find out, how much plastic is there? Do we have a lot of microplastics in our environment? And when I started looking into this, I realized that there is a lot of plastic in the waters and somebody has to do something about it. That's why I thought: Well, what if I just do something?"
- Inventor Fionn Ferreira on Removing Microplastics from the Oceans
- Ghana: Youth Climate Leader Perk Pomeyie on the Impacts of the Climate on Ghanaian Youth
- Zimbabwe: Climate Change Researcher Nyasha Turuza on Climate Change Realities in her Home Country
- Climate Migration in Academia: Lauren Grant on her International School on Climate Migration
- Climate change’s overlooked consequence: Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo on involuntary immobility
Inventor Fionn Ferreira on Removing Microplastics from the Oceans
13 November 2023 – In this interview, Fionn Fereira from Ireland talks about his experiences as a young inventor, chemistry student and climate activist. He discusses the terrible consequences of micro-plastic pollution and the innovative ways that he proposes to solve this crisis.
Youth Climate Leader Perk Pomeyie on the Impacts of the Climate on Ghanaian Youth
23 June 2023 – In this interview, Perk Pomeyie shares his experiences as a key figure in Ghana Youth Environment, a youth-led environmental policy advocacy and non-violent campaign group in Ghana.
Zimbabwe: Climate Change Researcher Nyasha Turuza on Climate Change Realities in her Home Country
02 August 2022 – In this interview, researcher Nyasha Turuza shares her experiences and real testimonies of women and girls living in Zimbabwe that have been most affected by the impact of the brunt of climate change. She highlights the need to well-educate and conscientize the communities on climate change, especially those whose views on climate change are centered on their traditional beliefs.
Climate Migration in Academia: Lauren Grant on her International School on Climate Migration
01 July 2022 – In this interview, Lauren Grant discusses the world’s first international school on climate migration, which was founded and is run by Lauren. In the first half of the interview, Lauren talks about how her desire to start an academic space like the school came about, and how that idea eventually became a reality. Then, in the second half of the interview, Lauren elaborates on the substantive focus of the five-week summer school.
Climate Change’s Overlooked Consequence: Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo on Involuntary Immobility
17 June 2022 – In this interview, researcher Aimee-Noel Mbiyozo discusses the concept of involuntary immobility, which occurs when people wish to migrate but are not able to do so. Mbiyozo recommends how Earth Refuge and lay people globally can shine a light on this overlooked issue and talks of the challenges of advocating for greater protection for climate refugees.
Civil Disobedience to Fight the Climate Crisis and Greenwashing in South Korea
20 May 2022 – In this interview, Jihyuk Oh from South Korea talks about civil disobedience as a non-violent means to fight the climate crisis. Over the course of the interview, Jihyuk shares how his organization ‘Youth Climate Emergency Action’ is addressing this dilemma by using civil disobedience to kick off a “new type of transition into a livable and a greener society”. By using many vivid examples, he explains the power of this non-violent means as well as the challenges his organization faces.
Ruth Dzokoto on being a Climate Educator in Ghana
06 May 2022 – In this interview, Ruth Dzokoto from Ghana talks about the impact of climate change and climate migration on her home country. Based on these personal experiences, Ruth Dzokoto has built a career as a climate educator that poses a number of challenges.
Electrician Carlos Mugumira on Surviving Cyclone Idai
22 April 2022 – In this interview, Carlos Mugumira from Zimbabwe shares his experiences as a survivor of the horrendous Cyclone Idai that hit Zimbabwe in 2019. By the time, Carlos was working on electrical installations in the Chimanimani area, which was greatly affected by the cyclone. He narrates how events unfolded, the impact the cyclone had on his life, and the lessons learnt from this extreme weather event.
Queer Black Feminist Alicia Wallace on the Intersectionality of Climate Change
08 April 2022 – In this interview, Queer Black Feminist Alicia Wallace from The Bahamas speaks about the devastating impact of constantly recurring hurricanes on the land, people and economy of her home country, as well as discusses necessary policy intervention points. The interview focuses on the intersectionality of climate change, using many practical and real-world examples from her own experiences.
Activist Marinel Ubaldo on Lived Climate Change Realities in the Philippines and Her Fight for Justice
25 March 2022 – In this interview, Marinel Ubaldo talks about the devastating impacts of Super Typhoon Haiyan on her home village in the Philippines in 2013. Subsequently, Marinel shares about her 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.
Student Grace Fong on the Importance of Climate Change Education
11 March 2022 – In this interview, Grace Fong from Fiji shares about her very personal experience with climate change and her volunteer work for Climate Science, an international organization that promotes comprehensive and accessible climate education for children and young adults around the world.
Fire Fighter Cami Schafer on California’s Devastating Dixie Fire
4 March 2022 – In this interview, fire fighter Cami Schafer offers insights into the devastating impact last year’s Dixie Fire had on nature and the people of California. She vividly explains her crew’s strategy, to bring the record breaking fire under control, and what it means to be one of the few women in a profession still dominated by men.
Researcher Hellen Dawo on Adaptation and Mitigation as Responses to the Climate Crisis
25 November 2021 – In this interview, Correspondent Laura Corrigan and Hellen Dawo discuss adaptation and mitigation as responses to the climate crisis. Hellen is a PhD researcher and educator at the Centre for Sustainable Entrepreneurship at Campus Fryslan, University of Groningen.
Farmlink Member Jordan Hartzell on the Intersection Between Food Waste and the Climate Crisis
23 November 2021 – In this interview, Jordan Hartzell provides an overview of the work The Farmlink Project does to redirect food waste and serve food insecure communities. Jordan speaks to how working with this organisation has changed how she thinks about food systems and networks.
Meteorologist Mauna Eria on the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change in Kiribati
1 October 2021 – In this interview, Meteorologist Mauna Eria speaks about the adverse impacts of extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels in the small-island nation of Kiribati. He explores the concepts of “Migration with Dignity”, implying a need for making preparations for the inevitable, and “Resilience”, a movement towards building a future on the Kiribati Islands.
Researcher Dr. Donald Kingsbury on Extraction and Carbon Capitalism
2 July 2021 – In this interview, Dr. Donald Kingsbury dives into his research on energy transitions and carbon capitalism. Adopting lithium and water extraction as an example, Dr. Kingsbury explores the nuanced intersections between climate change, displacement and inequalities in the extraction sphere.
Ethnographer Daniel Briggs on His Book ‘Climate Changed: Refugee Border Stories and the Business of Misery’
4 June 2021 – Daniel Briggs discusses what ethnographic research entails, and what led him to research and write ‘Climate Changed’ – an honest, humane account about the rapid downsizing of the world’s natural resources and the consequences this has for millions who are displaced from their home countries.
Public Interest Lawyer Rebecca Ballard on Fast Fashion and Climate Justice
21 May 2021 – Rebecca founded @MavenWomen to meet an unmet market need for additional socially conscious options for professional women’s attire, and went on to found the recently launched @The.Fashion.Connection (FTS) to “move the needle” in the global garment industry through product creation and partnership, consumer education, and advocacy.
Researcher Anna Oltman on Human Rights and the Politics of Asylum
14 May 2021 – Dr Anna Oltman explains the key terms relating to migration and some common misconceptions in the Global North and society as a whole. She also sheds light on the policy of deterrence that States adopt to discourage migration and how it affects refugees.
A Discussion on Climate Justice with Co-Founder Yumna Kamel
30 April 2021 – conducted by Shake Up The Establishment Yumna speaks with Stephanie from @shakeuptheestab – a youth-led non-profit promoting climate justice & political action in what is currently called Canada – as part of their Earth Week interview series.
Climate Adaptation Professional Rachel Jacobson on the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) and Migration Projects
16 April 2021 – Rachel Jacobson discusses the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP)’s role in supporting and connecting climate adaptation professionals to advance innovation in the field, including the issue of climate migration for both migrating- and receiving-communities.
Researcher Melinda Martinus on Climate Change and ASEAN Urban Resilience
9 April 2021 – Melinda shares her experience working as a researcher in the Yusof Ishak Institute for Southeast Asian Studies, where she specializes in ASEAN urban policies surrounding climate change and urban resilience.
Former UN Human Rights Committee Member Professor Martin Scheinin on Climate Change and Human Rights Litigation
2 April 2021 – Professor Martin Scheinin – former UN Human Rights Committee member and the first UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism – shares a new line of argument for indigenous peoples’ litigation based on the intergenerational dimension of the right to culture.
Native Climate Justice Organiser Ruth Miller on Her Work Towards an Indigenized Just Transition
26 March 2021 – Native climate justice organizer Ruth Miller discusses her work towards an indigenized just transition amidst urgent threats to her people and land.
Jon & Martha from California on Wildfire Evacuations and Their Personal Question of Migration
19 March 2021 – Jon and Martha, a family living in Sonoma County, California, share their experience with wildfire and a drying climate. From running a natural wine label to raising a newborn son, they have faced unique climate challenges.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Satya S. Tripathi discusses female farmer ‘champions’ & the importance of a green COVID-19 recovery
12 March 2021 – Mr Tripathi, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of New York Office at UN Environment, talks with Nikoleta Vasileva about the connection between climate change and COVID-19, as well as the importance of a green recovery and adaptation measures.
Dr. Chris O’Connell on the Intersection Between Climate Change and Modern Forms of Slavery in South America
5 March 2021 – In addition to discussing vulnerabilities amongst indigenous populations in Bolivia and rural-urban migrants in Peru, Chris highlights the grave threats posed by extractive industries in the region.
Climate Adaptation Innovator Mali’o Kodis on How to Build a Community around Equitable Solutions
26 February 2021 – Mali’o discusses her work as a climate adaptation innovator, building community around equitable solutions and how her work addresses problems of migration.
UN Special Rapporteur Dr. David Boyd on the Environmental Rights Revolution
5 January 2021 – Dr. Boyd is currently serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment. In this discussion with Human Rights Pulse, Dr. Boyd explores the growing movement for a rights-based approach to environmental law.
Sailor Bastian Gabriel on Weather and Hurricanes
14 December 2020 – Basti, the young owner of his sailboat “Tonga” tells Earth Refuge about the importance of understanding meteorology as a sailor and how the weather has become more unpredictable in recent years. Normally the Azores are a safe pit stop for boats crossing the Atlantic, but in 2019 the Islands witnessed a formation of an extreme weather event of unprecedented intensity.
Climate Investor Priscilla Tyler on Climate Change and Technology
12 January 2021 – Priscilla shares her valuable insights into climate change from a tech perspective. As a resident of California, she has also been “woken up year after year with ash on her sinks and smoke in the air”. The number of dry, warm and windy autumn days – which are ideal conditions for wildfires – in California has more than doubled since the 1980s.
Researcher Jake Meyers on Environmental Story Telling and Climate Change
21 January 2021 – Researcher Jake Meyers discusses the importance of narratives in addressing the local impacts of climate change. From rural-urban migration in Kenya to floating villages of Cambodia, Jake has seen first hand how a well-constructed narrative can change environmental policy for the better.
Professor Rafiqul Islam on Climate Migration in Bangladesh
29 January 2021 – Based on Dr. Islam’s PhD in Climate Change, Migration and Conflict, and his field work experiences, he shares some of the causes and dangers of climate-induced displacement in Bangladesh.
Firefighter James Sedlak on Californian Wildfires and the Threat of Migration
5 January 2021 – In the following interview, Earth Refuge Correspondent James from Lake Tahoe, California discusses his experience fighting California wildfires in a warming climate and the threat of migration.
Former Mayor Maura Spery on Coastal Flooding and Migration on Long Island
26 January 2021 – In the following interview, conducted by James Sedlack, Maura discusses her experience dealing with coastal flooding, public works issues, and questions of migration as former mayor and long-term resident of Mastic Beach, NY, a small coastal town on Long Island.
Professor Mehrdad Payandeh on International Law and Climate Migration
19 February 2021 – In this interview, Professor Mehrdad Payandeh from Bucerius Law School speaks about existing legal frameworks pertaining to climate migration, the “controversial field of climate change litigation” and the landmark ruling Teitiota v. New Zealand 2020.
Cambodian Tour Guide Chem Vichhai on Extreme Weather Events in Cambodia
12 February 2021 – Cambodian tour guide Chem Vichhai talks with Aubrey Calaway about extreme weather and ailing ecosystems in his home providence of Siem Reap. Taking us inside different stops on his tour, Vichhai describes how local residents of the Prek Toal Floating Village community- and Cambodia as a whole- are struggling to adapt to a changing climate.
Racial Justice, Intersectionality, and the Environmental Movement: A Conversation with Activist Paulo Ricardo
9 February 2021 – Paulo Ricardo is a Brazilian activist who holds as his mission to make environmental justice a reality in all societal, governmental and institutional spheres.
A Day in The Life – Wildland Firefighting
22 December 2020 – by Earth Refuge Content Editor James Sedlak I remember turning around to see the red glow creep upwards behind the silhouette of the tree line. At two o’clock in the morning, our surroundings began to light up like an orange-tinted movie-set. Amidst an increasingly loud roar, I heard a familiar voice yelling at us to load-up in the buggies; “C’mon boys, double-time!” shouted my captain. The fire was chugging towards us.
