Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Programme 2018

Sapphire Vital Start Date: May 23, 2018 - End Date: Jun 25, 2018
  • Sweden
  • Norway
  • Denmark
  • Iceland
  • Canada
  • New York, NY, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Sapphire Vital Start Date: May 23, 2018 - End Date: Jun 25, 2018
My name is Sapphire Vital; I am 23 years old and I am from the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica. I love the crisp smell of the morning air, the chilly sting of the wind, the sound of the birds, the brightness of the sky and the first taste of adrenaline as I set out on a hike. The journey that follows is often strenuous but it’s always worth it. Whether it’s standing at the base of a towering waterfall, on a mountaintop overlooking a glorious view or on the edge of a headland bracing the ocean breeze, my heart invariably fills with awe and peace. Earth's immense beauty and more so its purpose as our home, warrants we treat it with the utmost care. In recent times, humanity’s track record hasn’t been of good report. Human activity is known to be largely to blame for climate change and the havoc it has wreaked on our home thus far. One of my life goals is to fight against climate change and continually advocate for good stewardship of our planet.

So you can imagine how blessed I feel to have been selected as one of the Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassadors 2018 with Peace Boat. The programme requires the team of youth ambassadors to travel on the Peace Boat from Stockholm (Sweden) to New York (United States of America). There will be stops and activities in Copenhagen (Denmark), Bergen (Norway), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Halifax (Canada). The programme will run from June 25th to July 14th, 2018.

As stated by the Peace Boat, the goal of the programme is to “bring youth leaders from states on the front line of climate change and marine degradation to travel onboard Peace Boat's ship, engaging in capacity building and bringing their message to citizens and government representatives through the voyage”. The programme’s overall focus on Sustainable Development Goals 13, Climate Action, and 14, Life Below Water, is dear to my heart as environmental work is my passion and also because these goals hit home. Stepping outside my home on the morning of September 19th 2017 I was confounded. The mountains, normally clothed in lush greens, were stripped bare. Infrastructure was demolished- some beyond recognition. Beaten and flounced by the high rains and winds Hurricane Maria transformed my quaint Nature Isle of the Caribbean into little more than a landfill. For the first time, that morning, I was no longer a heavy hearted onlooker to the raveges of climate change; I stood at the very frontline of our battle against it. I’m truly excited for the opportunity to join the ranks in advocating against activites which fuel climate change and partner with others in this war. I'm truly excited for the opportubity to represent Dominica and the Caribbean at large. 

Although, the programme covers costs incurred while on the Peace Boat (accomodation and meals) it does not cover travel expenses to and from the boat (from Dominica to Sweden and from New York back to Dominica). Any help that you can offer me in this regard is muchly appreciated.

Blessings and Love,
Sapphire
  • Sweden
  • Norway
  • Denmark
  • Iceland
  • Canada
  • New York, NY, United States of America

More Travel Information