Lute Heivaha ‘Ofa-Ki-Arana Leki
Lute Heivaha ‘Ofa-Ki-Arana Leki is a climate activist hailing from the Kingdom of Tonga. A recent Law graduate from the University of the South Pacific, and a member and current Executive Secretary for the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change – a group of students dedicated to taking the issues of climate change and human rights to the International Court of Justice.
Her journey as a Climate Change Activist began in 2018 when she started at USP studying the course ‘International Environmental Law’.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Fortunate enough to come across the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) in Vanuatu, Lute delved into their campaigns and ideas with a common purpose to fight for their islands.
“As a woman and youth activist, joining the PISFCC became a hope to ensure that my children and their children’s children will inherit a world of reduced climatic impacts; living with solemnity and without fear of the impacts of climate change.”
One of the campaigns Lute has been involved in includes educating and activating Pacific Island youth. She is committed to this cause and aims for others to become aware and to take action to help prevent and fight against climate change.
Passionate about understanding and promoting women and their role within this climate fight, Lute has studied why women are doing the work yet are not seen at the forefront of this conversation.
“At a glance, women in Tonga fight climate change in the shadows… Why? Socio-cultural norms produce distinctive outcomes for women at opposite ends of the social hierarchy. For some women, these standards prevent them from performing their full potential for the benefit of society.
Women and Youth are seen as victims of climate change but they are also heroes who work in the shadow of climate change activities. They have the ability to influence society and be part of decision-making processes at all levels”
Believing that women have the power of adaptation, Lute sees this skill of adaptation as a powerful drive behind the most inspirational women of society which transfers into a tool to be used in climate justice.
Dive deeper into Lute’s work surrounding women in climate change here:
https://www.reachnotpreach.com/post/at-a-glance-women-and-climate-change-in-tonga