BY: ARIANNA NEELY
Journal Staff Writer

Prime Minister Brave Davis urged young people from schools throughout New
Providence to take charge and be bold in embracing opportunities to become
innovators and visionaries for positive change to make a more sustainable
Bahamas. His comments came as he opened the CARICOM Youth Forum on
issues related to climate change and sustainability on March 20th .
As The Bahamas is a low-lying archipelago, it is more vulnerable to rising sea
levels, brush fires, droughts and more frequent and powerful storms. The
environment and economy will also become impacted by the effects of climate
change.
“The clock is ticking, the prime minister said. “Each day spent not pushing for
change brings us another day closer to the worst-case scenario for our region. The
time for action is today and you are the drivers of that action.  You, the young
minds in this room, are the catalysts for change. You are the disruptors, the
innovators, and the visionaries who will not only inherit this planet but fight
fiercely to protect it,” he said.
Climate change youth ambassador, Wayneisha Saunders, was a panelist. She is the
former global youth ambassador (2021), former youth parliamentarian and the
2024 climate youth ambassador. She gave students advice on how to get involved
in youth parliament and make impactful changes for their environment and their
country.
“I suggest for young people to be more involved. Currently the Climate Change
Youth Ambassador program is open, and we are looking for new ambassadors. My
year is almost completed, Youth in Parliament and Youth in Senate happens every
year during National Youth month. You can go on the Facebook page of the
Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture and also the Climate Change Advisory Unit
always has opportunities for young people there,” she said.
Students all over The Bahamas are strongly encouraged to be brave and use their
voices as they are the catalysts for change for generations to come.