David Vaeafe interviewed by Hapai Te Hauora about Fresh Start

To celebrate World Earth Day on the 22nd of April, Hapai te Hauora (Maori Public Health) reached out to David Vaeafe from the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, to see how the new campaign Fresh Start is helping rangatahi to decolonise the conversation on climate change.

Credit: Hapai te Hauora newsletter, Ātea.

How does Fresh Start contribute to the climate activism space? 

The aim of Fresh Start is to uplift Pacific voices for climate change. There are a lot of people doing amazing things to raise awareness in this space, but sometimes their voices are lost in the over-arching global climate change narrative - particularly indigenous voices. We wanted to create a platform for indigenous voices to be shared in one place - in a safe space - where audiences can learn and be inspired.

Fresh Start specifically highlights Māori and Pasifika voices. Why is it important to decolonize the conversation on climate change? 

Because Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands face the direct effects of climate change, but contribute the least to the problem. We are at the coalface, yet we are under-represented in the conversations and decision making. You can’t have the climate change conversation without us, yet many do. And you can’t have a conversation about us, without us. Fresh Start profiles Māori  and Pacific people who are fighting for their homelands, for their cultures, for their families and for their future. It’s personal and not just a project to us. 

What message would you give to our young people seeking to begin their climate activism journey? 

 Firstly, I would like to say to our young people who are already hard at work in this space, that we see you and we are proud of the work you are doing to keep the Pacific safe.

To those that are starting out on this journey take the time to see what others are doing. There are some excellent groups that you can join and meet like-minded people . Have climate change conversations with your friends and families. Keep talking about it and keep going. 
  

Find your own voice in the climate action space! For more information, check out Fresh Start here