11-year-old conservationist

 

The climate crisis is not lost on 11-year-old Kih'Nyiah McKay, who is part of a growing movement of young women and girls in Antigua fighting to protect their island paradise. With receding beaches, worsening hurricanes, and suffocating summers becoming the norm, these coastal stewards are taking action to combat the impacts of climate change.

Trained by local NGO Adopt-a-Coastline, Kih'Nyiah and over 60 other girls are planting trees, protecting turtle nesting sites, and managing beach bins to mitigate coastal erosion and preserve marine life. Their efforts have garnered international recognition, earning a $100,000 grant from the United Nations' Global Environment Facility to expand the project to neighboring islands.

Beyond environmental conservation, Adopt-a-Coastline is empowering women and girls to take on leadership roles traditionally dominated by men. By instilling skills in eco-data analysis and providing opportunities for economic empowerment through crafting, the project aims to shift gender norms and foster a new generation of female leaders.

For Kaiesha Joseph, a 24-year-old youth parliamentarian with aspirations of becoming Antigua's first female prime minister, supporting Adopt-a-Coastline is a step towards breaking gender barriers and encouraging women to take up space in decision-making roles. She believes that by empowering women from a young age, communities can be transformed for the better.

Adopt-a-Coastline's founder, Jennifer Meranto, started the initiative in 2009 out of a desire to "erase [her] own footprint" and address the island's mounting litter problem. What began as a personal endeavor has grown into a community-driven effort to clean up beaches and raise awareness about marine pollution.

As the project expands, its impact goes beyond environmental conservation, fostering a sense of wellness and empowerment among participants. By amplifying the voices of young women like Kih'Nyiah and Kaiesha, Adopt-a-Coastline is paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future in Antigua and beyond.