Last week, we had the honor of featuring our Youth Spotlight Interview with Hery Zayas on the CJA social media pages. Hery Zayas is a youth member of the Jobos Bay Eco-development Initiative Organization, and he shared his experiences with us on getting involved in environmental justice is his home country of Puerto Rico. Check out the interview below in English and Spanish!
Youth Spotlight with Hery Zayas of IDEBAJO y Organización Boricua
Puerto Rico
Interview in English:
How did you begin doing environmental justice work?
It all began in 2006 at about 11 years old, while on an interpretive trail through the Aguirre Estuary (where I live). I realized how important it is to protect natural spaces since I would go fishing in the bay, and I internalized that knowledge. Time passed and six years later at 16 I became a full-fledged member of an organization fighting for climate justice. My first concrete experience was as the Convivencia Ambiental, an overnight environmental retreat with other youth; it was an intense week of learning about environmental preservation. Since then I’ve remained part of the Jobos Bay Eco-development Initiative Organization, known by its acronym IDEBAJO.
What do you think is the most important thing for young people to know about environmental activism and how they could get involved?
The most important thing they should know is that change needs to happen now. When we fight and denounce injustices it’s not just for the future of those of us out in the streets giving it our all, it’s also a fight on behalf of those that can’t come out, and when those folks don’t have a voice, we have to speak out for them. Every person that seeks change to improve our way of life is important in these processes. We can take part in different ways according to our particular gifts and interests.
In the video, Frontline Youth: Fighting for Climate Justice, you ask the question “How do we support ourselves?” What does supporting each other mean to you in terms of environmental justice?
Environmental justice comes along with solidarity and collective efforts, because the things we speak out against affect all of us. Speaking out comes along with supporting one another and building concrete solutions that stem from our experiences and needs. For example, where I live, we have an energy problem where energy generation isn’t done in the best way and isn’t very productive. That’s why a community collective was formed and tasked with generating viable, sustainable, healthy, renewable energy. Supporting one another happens on the micro scale all the way up to the macro scale, since each community has its own particular characteristics.
Now, how can we connect internationally in line with these particular characteristics? There should be a network where we can share what’s happening on our island of Puerto Rico and learn how similar issues are being addressed in other parts of the world and join forces. That is also part of supporting each other.
Interview in Spanish:
How did you begin doing environmental justice work?
Todo comenzó en el 2006, teniendo cerca de 11 años cuando en medio de un recorrido interpretativo por el salitral de Aguirre (donde resido) me di cuenta de la importancia de mantener las áreas naturales, pues yo pescaba en la bahía y asimilé la importancia de esto. En el transcurso, seis años después, con 16 años entré de lleno a una organización a luchar por la justicia por el cambio climático. Mi primera experiencia concreta fue en la Convivencia Ambiental donde pernocte con otros jóvenes y tuvimos una semana intensa aprendiendo sobre la conservación del medio ambiente. Desde ese entonces he permanecido en la Organización de la Iniciativa de Eco-desarrollo de la Bahía de Jobos, conocido por su sigla (IDEBAJO).
What do you think is the most important thing for young people to know about environmental activism and how they could get involved?
Lo mas importante que deben saber es que el cambio se debe hacer ahora. Si luchamos y denunciamos las injusticias es por el futuro no solo nuestros de los que están en la calle dándolo todo, también se lucha por los que no pueden salir y cuando esas personas no tienen voz, otros tenemos que gritar por ellos. Cada persona es importante en estos procesos que buscan un cambio para mejorar nuestra forma de vivir. Podemos incluirnos de diversas maneras según sus virtudes e intereses particulares.
In the video, Frontline Youth: Fighting for Climate Justice, you ask the question “How do we support ourselves?” What does supporting each other mean to you in terms of environmental justice?
La justicia ambiental va acompañada de la solidaridad y esfuerzos colectivos, porque lo que denunciamos nos afecta a todos. La denuncia viene en conjunto de tenernos unos a otros e ir construyendo otras soluciones concretas desde nuestras experiencias y necesidades. Por ejemplo, en el lugar donde vivo hay un problema energético, que no se produce energía de la mejor manera y no es tampoco la mejor productora. Por esto se formo un colectivo comunitario encargado de crear una energía sostenible, sustentable, saludable y renovable. El tenernos va desde lo micro hasta lo macro, pues cada comunidad tiene sus particularidades.
Ahora, ¿Cómo nos conectamos internacionalmente según la particularidades? Debería haber un red donde podamos compartir lo que pasa en nuestra Isla de Puerto Rico y saber como los problemas similares que estén sucediendo en otra parte del mundo se han trabajado y unir fuerzas. Esto ultimo también este “tenernos”.
