Leah lives in Fiji’s capital, Suva, and has been a community activist and volunteer with Greenpeace for over 3 years.
How did you start volunteering with Greenpeace?
Saving whales got me interested after I visited an information booth they organised in Suva in 2006. I mentioned to a friend that it would be interesting to join as a volunteer but put it off for another two weeks.
My friend, as a surprise on my birthday, took me to fill in a volunteer form at the Suva office – it was one of the best decisions ever!
After being an active member for just over a year, I was elected coordinator of the Greenpeace Suva Activist team. The team has been instrumental in developing me as an individual and allowing me to play my part in defending the Pacific. I am fortunate to be able to work with remarkable people from a huge cross-section of the community.
Why did you choose to volunteer with Greenpeace?
I believe the Pacific is in the throes of environmental problems. It needs each and every individual young or old to stand up and be counted. I thought I would take the plunge and be an example to young people.
You attended the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009 and addressed a press conference. How did you end up doing that? What was it like?
I was invited to attend Copenhagen as a Pacific youth delegate on Greenpeace International’s youth team. Greenpeace was heavily involved with the Tck Tck Tck movement, which worked throughout 2009 to collect petitions to pressure world leaders into action against climate change.
At the presentation of the petitions, they asked if a youth from a small island state could speak and present them to the President of the UN climate conference, Danish Environment Minister, Connie Hedegaard, and the then UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer.
I was humbled to be given that opportunity. As a Pacific Islander whose food, water, shelter, culture and identity was at stake, it was an emotional experience.
Being able to speak on behalf of over 10 million people from all over the globe was an experience of a lifetime and very empowering because I thought I was going to be the lone voice in the wilderness.
What’s the best part of volunteering with Greenpeace?
The passion in both staff and volunteers from all corners of earth who tirelessly strive towards environmental justice. They do not give up. Day and night they soldier wins or loses they continue to confront, expose and challenge environmental issues.
Aside from the Copenhagen summit, have there been any other highlights?
Having two members of our activist team participate in the Hay Point action in Cairns last year was amazing. Then we had activists take to the seas defending international waters flanked by several Pacific Island countries. I recall jumping around the house after seeing them make headlines in our local dailies and the flood of interest that followed from the Pacific community that is otherwise rather passive on environmental issues.
Seeing Pacific Islanders participating in these actions triggered a flood of questions from the local community. Why are they doing that? Why is it important? How can we address that? Watching my team at information booths addressing these questions and helping our people gain a better understanding of the issues that affect their livelihood makes it all worth the battle, the sweat and the tears.
