laurenaritchie

Today, on the first day of #COP28, I’m reflecting on Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week last month where climate advocates from across the region convened in Panamá City to address our social and environmental challenges. I’m grateful to have connected with so many wonderful activists and to have organized several youth-led events with @youngo.unfccc 🤝🏽🌟 🇵🇦 During that week, thousands of Panamanians took to the streets and mobilized against a mining contract set to destroy vital ecosystems that the citizens depend on, particularly indigenous and rural communities. While ministers at Climate Week praised the value of youth environmental advocacy, Panamanian youth activists opposed to the mining contract were barred from the conference and those in solidarity with the protesters faced having their access revoked. 🎊 After a month of courage and determination from the Panamanian people to protect their natural heritage, the Supreme Court of Panamá unanimously declared Law 406 unconstitutional, ending the largest copper mining contract in Central America. This historic win was achieved by the active role of communities, young people, women, workers, indigenous peoples, farmers, and more, who defended their right to live in a pollution-free environment free from extractivism. I’m so deeply proud of this victory for the Panamanian people @sinmineria, and what it demonstrates to the rest of the world about the power within people and committed collective movements. We can’t rely on our governments to save us. And I hope at this year’s COP and beyond, we remain steadfast in being critical of our leaders’ decisions and celebrate community resistance and resilience 💪🏽🤎 #PanamáValeMásSinMinería

happy international day of climate action! very honored to have organized the Regional Caribbean Conference of Youth to bring together youth climate leaders from across the Caribbean to develop innovative solutions to the social and environmental challenges we face in our region 🌎 this was such a vital occasion to spotlight youth advocacy and work towards building regional solidarity and forging strong networks for collaboration 🇧🇧🇧🇸🇬🇩🇨🇺🇩🇲🇭🇹🇦🇬🇦🇮🇩🇴🇬🇾🇯🇲🇱🇨🇻🇨🇻🇬🇧🇿🇰🇳🇰🇾🇹🇹 🎨 hosted an environmental art and poetry workshop to highlight the value of creative climate communications to educate and inspire so proud of our team @catislandkita @alyssawhite_x @marjahnf for our hard work & dedication 💚 📸: @shaneshotthat

spent the week in saudi arabia for middle east and north africa climate week! 🇸🇦 always honored to represent the bahamas & grateful to forge international relationships founded on collaboration + solidarity 🇧🇸🌎🤝🏽

kicking off new york climate week yesterday at the @fff.nyc march to end fossil fuels 📣 grateful to be a part of such a powerful climate community fighting for our collective future and to join over 75,000 people across ages, sectors, and backgrounds in determined solidarity 🌎💫 #genderjustice #climatejustice #endfossilfuels

home 🐬🐚

this world coconut day 🥥🌴 it’s important we celebrate the people who source our coconuts and support the livelihoods of farming communities around the world. @vitacoco invests in coconut farmers through education and regenerative agricultural practices. since some trees only last for a few years, that means less fruit and less income for farmers. 🌱 the seedlings for sustainability program replaces aging coconut trees, giving back to the environment as much as they source from it, with the aim to distribute 10 million seedlings by 2030. visit vitacoco.com/impact to learn more about supporting coconut farmers and pouring back into the environment 🤎

see my island summer camp!! ✨🐚🐢 last month i had the privilege to spend two weeks at @theislandschool hosting a summer camp for girls 11-16 to explore their marine environment and learn how to use creative writing, art, photography, and film to reflect on their home and heritage, and express how climate change is impacting their island before their eyes. a truly beautiful and life-changing experience 🫶🏽 shoutout to the best co-facilitators @marissaaroy @wheres.she.at and amazing bahamian artists @nefernici, scientists @marjahnf, @mcaseya, @mermaidtonia, @ceibahamas, and activists @_aliciaaudrey, and thank you to @girlrising, @theislandschool, and the sean connery foundation for supporting this dream come to life! read an article i wrote about the camp in my bio 🌿

getting older feels so good 🧚🏽🪷🥭

clean beauty @weareneen 🦋

trabajando y jugando

@un_water conference!💧i had the pleasure to speak at an event at the UN Water conference last week, along with @242waterkeepers, @undesasocial, and Her Excellency Isabelle Picco, Ambassador of Monaco. small island nation perspectives are essential at global convenings, especially when it comes to protecting our oceans and recovering from climate disasters, so it’s an honor to represent my country at international forums like this one 🇧🇸

young reporters for the environment photojournalism workshop and beach clean up hosted by @breef242 this past weekend 🐚 the workshop focused on exposing marine pollution and learning photography (@dduncombe), videography, and interview skills to share stories about our local environment. so heartwarming to see so many young bahamians passionate about protecting their island & i’m inspired by the next generation of environmental stewards @yre_bahamas 🇧🇸 interview: @ournewsbahamas

@aspenideas future leaders summit in miami! 🌿 @aspenfutureleaders happy to be reunited with my @girlrising fellows and to finally meet so many climate activists i admire like @queerbrownvegan + @browngirl_green IRL 🫶🏽 i’m inspired to be in community with so many young people passionate about change and to have the opportunity to share my personal story & bring bahamian voices to global climate convenings 🇧🇸

teamed up with @NYCHealthy to remind you all to get your bivalent boosters! I already got mine! #sponsored
 COVID-19 has been around for over three years now, and it’s still so important to make sure that you’re up to date on your vaccines to protect yourself and those around you. Bivalent boosters protect against both the original virus and its sub-variants. They’re available for everyone ages 6 months and older, and they are safe, free, and easy! head to on.nyc.gov/healthytogether to learn more about the vaccine and to find the nearest vaccine near you.

highlight of my weekend 🌟 thank you @blackgirlenvironmentalist + @blackgirlsinartspaces for this beautiful event at the @climatemuseum in nyc! so happy to see art and activism come together & grateful for this supportive community 💗 forever proud of my dear friend @wawa_gatheru and BGE’s mission to empower Black women & non-binary people across environmental disciplines 🌻