Meet the delegation of young activist that will represent the region
Chosen from more than 270 applicants from Latin America and the Caribbean, activists will represent the voice of young people at the 2nd Conference on Scientific Evidence and Public Policy: Climate Change in the Americas.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, the effects of climate change are already evident, with rising temperatures, changes in precipitation and an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and other adverse and catastrophic events. 9 out of 10 children in the region are exposed to at least two overlapping climate and environmental shocks, according to UNICEF's first Child Climate Risk Index.
The 2nd Conference on Scientific Evidence and Public Policy: Climate Change in Latin America and the Caribbean, seeks to make the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) visible at the regional level, while contributing multisectoral perspectives on climate reflection and action. This space is built as a continuation of the conference held in June 2021, which brought together more than 15 countries, 870 participants and analysed more than 3 IPCC reports.
The meeting will be conformed by international experts, representatives of civil society, indigenous peoples, decision makers and the Youth Delegation, conformed by adolescents and young activists from Latin America and the Caribbean. The young people of the region, are being protagonists of change and desperately asking governments to act urgently and ambitiously. The Meri Foundation, UNICEF and the youth of Latin America and the Caribbean are joining forces to empower this new generation whose action is, undoubtedly, one of the keys when addressing the climate and environmental crisis.
This conference will serve as a prelude to COP26´s Momentum in Glasgow 2021. It seeks to create synergies between academia, policy makers, youth and NGOs regarding the climate action that needs to be implemented in the region.
Delegates
Guadalupe Caner
Country: Paraguay
My name is Guadalupe Caner, I am 17 years old and I am from Asuncion, Paraguay. I study at the Goethe School, I am an environmental activist and President of the youth movement Grüne Umwelt. Grüne Umwelt is a nationwide initiative that was created with the aim of raising awareness among citizens about the national fauna and flora and seek solutions to environmental problems in our country and the world. I believe that, in order to increase our impact as young people, we need more support from national governments for youth-led environmental initiatives and movements.
Carolina Olga Lugo Guzmán
Country: Bolivia
My name is Carolina Olga and I am from Villazón, Bolivia. I study environmental engineering, I am 21 years old and I am an environmental activist that advocates for the rights of nature and the respect of animals. I am part of the organization Youth Network of Circular Economy (RED JEC) with national and regional outreach. From RED JEC we have organized an "environmental marathon" with the aim of communicating about environmental issues and raise awareness among citizens.
Anthony J. Macias Sornoza
Country: Ecuador
My name is Jordan Macias, I am 23 years old and I love scientific research. I am currently the President of the Environmental Collective “El Florón”, from where we implement climate change mitigation and urban regeneration projects seeking to turn my city, Portoviejo (Ecuador), into a model in tree planting, ecosystem care and adaptation to climate change. These projects are supported by the local municipality. In addition, I am an activist in the Leaders to Govern Corporation.
Patricia Juan
Country: Cuba
I am Patricia Juan, I am 21 years old and I am from Havana, Cuba. I am part of the CicloEcoPapel venture, an initiative created by young people from various disciplines that seeks to turn recycled paper into a commonly used material. We make various products from recycled paper in a handmade way and promote urban awareness campaigns on the importance of creative recycling and sustainability.
Angelina Worrell
Country: Costa Rica
I am Angelina Worrell, an 18 years old climate activist and change agent from Heredia, Costa Rica. I am part of the Global Issues Network, working in the learning and innovation department. Together with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the University of Costa Rica and a group of young people of different ages we developed the "Videos for Climate" campaign. The initiative gathered video essays from eight young people who tell their life stories related to climate change from a deeper and more personal perspective, associating it with their families, the places where they live or the most important moments of their lives. It was an approach to how youth live and interpret climate change, from their own eyes and experiences.
Nicole Reyes
Country: Peru
My name is Nicole Reyes, I am 22 years old and I am from Chiclayo, Peru. I have a bachelor's degree in marine biology and was recognized as an Agent of Change by the Universidad Científica del Sur in 2018. I am Co-President and National Expansion Coordinator of Sustainable Ocean Alliance Peru. This NGO, ranked as the largest network of young ocean leaders in the world, seeks to strengthen youth leadership in search of conservation and preservation of the ocean and its biodiversity. From SOA Peru we have been promoting ocean protection initiatives together with the Government of Peru and civil society.
Camilo Andrés Ramírez Ávila
Country: Colombia
My name is Camilo Ramirez and I am an activist from Envigado (Colombia). I am 24 years old and I work mainly in climate action through pedagogy and community empowerment on climate change. I am General Coordinator of the Climate Action Encounter and part of the Colombian Environmental Movement. This organization promotes the conservation and protection of diverse ecosystems and the environment in general, taking into account the conditions of the territory and recognizing the cultural, social and biological identity of these, influencing the development of environmental public policy in our country.
Verónica Barboza
Country: Venezuela
My name is Verónica Barboza, from Maracaibo, Venezuela. I am 19 years old and I am an activist for human rights and climate justice. I am the Climate Activism Coordinator at the Center for Activism and Democratic Development and a member of Fridays for Future Venezuela. This is a group of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 that leads climate protests across the country, provides training on environmental issues and documents environmental problems happening in the region; such as oil spills, illegal mining and microplastic pollution, among others.
Fabio Arturo López Alfaro
Country: Mexico
I am Fabio Arturo, a young professional and climate activist. I am 25 years old and I am from Mexico City. I collaborate with multiple organizations, such as the Climate Change University Network of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where I serve as Liaison Coordinator. I am also a Youth Ambassador for the High Seas of the High Seas Alliance. My initiative Eco-check!, awarded by the UNLEASH Hack Mexico 2021, is a digital platform that allies with local tourism entrepreneurs to give a sustainable twist to their business scheme. Eco-check! creates a value circle that benefits society, the economy and the environment.
Jael Alexandra Rocha Aranibar
Country: Bolivia
My name is Jael, I am 16 years old and I am an environmental and human rights activist from Cochabamba, Bolivia. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to get much closer to climate activism. I firmly believe that we can all be able to make a favourable change in the world, because every action counts. I am part of Guerreras Girl Up, Youth Climate Save and I founded Huellitas en Acción, whose Eco Canine Shelters Project seeks to create houses for street dogs using reused material and ecological bricks. In this way, we promote animal rights while teaching people about the excessive use of plastics.
Luis G. Carvajal Fernández
Country: Mexico
I am Luis Carvajal, mechatronic engineer and climate leader in Climate Reality Leadership Corps. I am 23 years old and I am from Puebla, Mexico. I have participated as a speaker at the International Conference on Mechatronics, Electronics and Automotive Engineering 2017, I was a speaker at a TEDx event and I obtained the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program scholarship from the Government of Canada. I was part of the winning team of the Siemens Energy Transformation Challenge Mexico, with an innovative proposal for green energy storage based on hydrogen. I am currently working on my project SobrevivientesMX, an artivism project (art + activism) that seeks to link a community of artists to express themselves through art on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability in general.
Alejo Muñiz
Country: Uruguay
My name is Alejo Muñiz, an 18 years old activist and biology student from Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. I am currently a volunteer for the America Solidaria Foundation in Uruguay and the ConCausa network at the international level. I have been working with UNICEF Uruguay for more than a year, giving a voice to young people in front of authorities and spreading environmental and climate issues from a scientific point of view.
Matai Zamuël
Country: Suriname
I am Matai Zamuël, I am 16 years old and I am from Paramaribo, Suriname. For the past 5 years I have been working with UNICEF Suriname on the relationship between climate change and children's rights. I believe that it is necessary to implement climate action that ensures the future of all children, guaranteeing that they have a voice and a vote. In addition, I have been part of the Interact Group of CaNW that organized the "Environmental Olympics", an initiative that connected youth clubs in the Caribbean and promoted climate awareness in local communities.
Joaquín Salinas Atenas
Country: Chile
My name is Joaquín Salinas, my nickname is Joaquito, I am 18 years old and I am from Nancagua, Chile. I consider myself a socio-environmental artivist (fusion between the words art and activist) and I have a special interest in promoting the participation of young people in this field. I am currently the secondary coordinator in the socio-environmental education team of Escazú Ahora Chile, and I participate in the organization Juventudes COP. The latter aims to facilitate the access of different groups, mainly youth, to high-level summits related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as its implementation at the national level. In order for the impact of youth to achieve greater outreach, I consider it necessary to connect with a wide diversity of agents involved in the global climate action ecosystem, this to promote collaborative synergies within the framework of the platform's action agenda.
María Floridalma López Atz
Country: Guatemala
My name is Floridalma, my nickname is Flori, I am 19 years old and I am a young Mayan Kaqchikel, originally from the village of Pachay, in Guatemala. I am studying a Bachelor's Degree in Legal and Social Sciences, Law and Notary and Professional Journalism at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. I am an environmental activist for human rights, especially for the rights of women, indigenous peoples, children, adolescents and youth. I have been volunteering since I was 9 years old and began a process of training, empowerment and advocacy in the Guatemalan Parliament for Children and Adolescents. I currently participate and collaborate with different organizations, such as Colectivo La Enredadera, Asociación IDEI, Consejo de Mujeres Maya Kaqchikel, Parlamento Juvenil and Plataforma de Mujeres Indígenas and the project "Del campo a la mesa". This provincial project seeks to reduce the migration of indigenous youth through agriculture and value chains, recovering ancestral practices to address the effects of climate change and that indigenous youth can be the main actors for their recovery and thus contribute to the food sovereignty of the communities.
Jefferson Esmeralda
Country: Ecuador
My name is Jefferson Esmeralda, I am 25 years old and I am from Esmeraldas, Ecuador. I am an environmental engineer and activist. I founded the organization Jóvenes Protectores del Planeta and I participated in the LCOY (Local Conference Of Youth) of Ecuador in 2021. I am currently participating in the First Conference of Sustainability and Youth in my country.
Martina Gómez
Country: Argentina
My name is Martina Gómez, I am 15 years old and I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I belong to the organization Jóvenes por El Clima and I work in environmental education, communication and youth involvement in Latin America. I seek to mainstream climate action with social justice, feminism, diversity, quality of life and human rights. We are currently carrying out volunteer cleanup work and planting native species in the remediated territory. We also carry out awareness talks and other initiatives of national scope.
Estephany Banegas
Country: Honduras
My name is Estephany Banegas, I am 22 years old and I am from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I am an activist for the protection of the environment, nature's commons, gender equality and human rights. I am the creator of community and family garden projects using agro ecological methods. The scope of these initiatives is provincial, with the beneficiaries being people from different communities and low-income neighbourhoods.
José Enrique Cerezo Rejas
Country: Bolivia
My name is José Enrique Cerezo, I am 24 years old and I am from Sucre, Bolivia. I work in leadership roles in organizations such as AIESEC and TEDx. Through my action, I seek to encourage positive change and call to action of young people and society in general. In my area of research, I work on understanding the impacts of climate change on forests and water resources and the impact on power generation. I am currently working towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Joseline Y. Blanco Rodriguez
Country: Nicaragua
My name is Joseline Blanco, I am 23 years old and I am from Managua, Nicaragua. I am a university teacher, I studied sustainable tourism and I am studying my second career in natural resources engineering. I am pursuing a specialization in research for social and community development and I have been a volunteer for Raleigh Nicaragua since 2016. In this organization, I am the leader of the ExCEL3 project. I have a vocation for service, I am very empathetic and I am very passionate about sustainability and working for the Sustainable Development Goals. I do not tolerate injustice or violence towards children and women. I would like in the future to be able to work to protect the rights of migrants and improve the quality of life of people. I currently collaborate with "Dame Chance", a youth-led campaign that seeks to create sustainable jobs in rural areas where deforestation is the way to earn income.
Danny R. Aguilar Cármenes
Country: Peru
My name is Danny Aguilar, Peruvian, 22 years old, student representative, ecologist and advocate for good living. I have had the opportunity to lead and promote various youth and university spaces in regards to environmental education, research and environmental outreach. Currently, I coordinate the Climate Change Study Group at the National University of San Marcos and collaborate with Fridays for Future Peru. I am in my last year of Environmental Engineering, I am convinced that only with social organization, and collectively, we can face the climate, environmental and social crisis that we are going through.
Wendy Xiomara Barrera Rivas
Country: El Salvador
My name is Wendy Xiomara Barrera Rivas, I am 22 years old and I am from Concepción de Ataco, El Salvador. I am a youth activist and founder of Chikume Siwat and an advocate of the integralist vision of the defense of human rights. We have an initiative with a focus on the protection of water from an academic and social dimension, where we adopt the vision of complementarity of sexual and reproductive rights and the reduction of environmental impact, positioning the issue in academic and social spaces. We are also part of the Youth Network for Sexual and Reproductive Rights.
Angelo Graziani
Country: Panama
My name is Angelo Graziani, I am 15 years old and I am from Bejuco, Panama. I have lived next to the mangroves since I was born. In the face of mangrove´s deforestation, a group of students from the Espavé Educational Center in Chame got together and decided to take action to reforest them within the area. The communities live from the mangroves and we believe that everything that is taken away from them should be returned. We call ourselves the Guardians of the Mangrove. We seek their reforestation and raise awareness in the communities about their importance and their role in risk management and protection.
Sibia Daniela Guerrero García
Country: Colombia
My name is Sibia Guerrero, I am 23 years old and I am a youth leader in Gramalote, Colombia. I am a member of the “Colectivo de Comunicación Popular de Gramalote”, conformed by children and young people who reconstruct the historical memory of the area and make visible the experience –from the social perspective- of what has been the reconstruction of the new urban center of Gramalote, adapted to climate change, after a natural phenomenon destroyed it in 2010. I am a social communicator and I lead communication processes and strategies for development and social change.