Esther Agbarakwe (or Baesther as we like to call her) is arguably one of the top sustainability personalities in Nigeria and a great inspiration to young people, she is currently the Special Adviser to the Federal Minister of Environment, Amina J Mohammed on Digital Communications & Stakeholders’ Participation, the co-founder of Climate Wednesday, co-founder of the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition, co-founder of the African Youth Initiative on Population, Health and Developmemt (AfrYPoD) and also an advisor for Social Good.
Esther is an international climate change campaigner with experience working on environmental sustainability, social and environmental policy analysis, biodiversity conservation, justice and reproductive health and rights. She is also the youngest chair and convener in the General Assembly of ActionAid Nigeria with the responsibility of driving ActionAid’s policies and programs in the country. Previously, she worked as an international advocacy fellow (population, health, environment and climate change) at Population Action International, Washington DC, USA. She has led several youth representations to major climate change and development conferences including Rio+20, Durban Conference and COP17.
Esther has also worked on other projects with UN Commission on Sustainable Development, UNICEF and the Society for Family Health.
Our Susty person for this week is remarkably one of the Youngers of the Elders+Youngers initiative involving notable leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Gro Harlem Brundtland. She is also a Commonwealth Youth Climate fellow, Atlas Corps international fellow and Dekeyser & Friends Foundation Academy awardee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of Calabar, Nigeria.
In view of all of the above, we present to you our interview with this dynamic woman on a mission to make Nigeria green again.
Kindly introduce yourself
My name is Esther Agbarakwe, born and raised in Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria. I hold a B.Sc (Hons) in Chemistry Education from the University of Calabar. I am very passionate about Sustainable Development and progressive change in Africa and I currently work as Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister of Environment on Digital Communications and Stakeholders participation
How long have you been in the Environmental Protection/activism Space?
I began Child rights advocacy at age 9. This is approximately more than 20 years working for the cause for change. On Environmental Issues, I started working since 2008 via the Earth Charter Youth Network.
How did you begin this journey?
I grew up in a community in Calabar, Cross River State, known then as Spring Road, named after the natural spring that was the main source of water for the people in that community. My affinity for nature grew as I constantly walked to the Spring to fetch water for domestic and farm use and then over time, it got abandoned and polluted by the government and the people who were meant protect it. This created a curiosity in me until I got to the university where environmental Chemistry became a favourable subject and I began to question everything about the state of protection of the environment.
As a teenager, talks about sex & boys were banned at home and only the school and friends could provide such information, which were sometimes helpful or somewhat destructive. This drew my interest in Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health. As the years went on, as an undergraduate at the University of Calabar, I did not find a lot of young people involved in environmental activism and the likes, I knew I was going to do something about that.
How did you come up with the nickname – “Esther Climate”
I must have shared this epistle a lot of times, but thinking about it now, I would say that social media went a long way in making this name stick. In 2009, I made a commitment to use every opportunity on social media as a Climate Change Awareness Campaign. Then with the announcement by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to run for president and the many reactions online by new Nigerian facebook users, I seized a very golden opportunity to air my views on Climate Change using a my new social media name ‘Esther Climate ‘, anytime online commentators asked about the name Esther Climate, I would explain what climate change meant and the need for action.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
One of My biggest accomplishment is Pioneering the Youth Climate Movement though The Nigerian Youth Climate Change Coalition, with some amazing people and the use of social media for Climate Change Youth Advocacy in Nigeria and especially though climate Wednesday.
Working with the Honourable Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed has been the most humbly experience in my career so far. I am now able to contribute to redefining Environmental Governance in Nigeria with a leader who is genuinely passionate about change in the sector.
My work with The Elders; Gro Harlem Brundtland, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu and Fernando Cardozo on UN Rio+20 as one of the famous four “Youngers” demonstrating true intergenerational dialogue on sustainability & advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls after 9 weeks of engagement across the world.
Also, being awarded some prestigious awards and honours like:
Dekeyser and Friends Foundation Leadership Award in 2009 in Germany.
Ford Foundation/LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Award
Commonwealth Youth Climate Fellowship in London 2010
Atlas Corps Fellowship Award, USA 2012.
I am also happy to have co-founded #Socialgood Nigeria with some very forward thinking individuals; we leverage on the explosive power of digital technology to share and promote stories and projects of social good initiatives in Nigeria.
Has being a woman in a field like this limited or ever affected your progress?
Not really, but it can get lonely. I believe that with determination, focus and a close relationship to your friends, family and God, we can attain greater heights. Although gender remains a factor for most young women in decision-making, garnering the right skills would always get you good success.
What are some of the ways Climate Change has affected Nigerian women living in rural areas?
Climate Change continues to affect Nigerian women living in rural areas in many ways. For example, because women in rural areas are frequently responsible for caring for children and the elderly, they’re often the last to leave when a disaster strikes. Climate change, deforestation, and desertification are leading to declining water supplies and women in most cases are responsible for fetching water for domestic uses. This means women, (mostly young girls) might need to spend more time finding water instead being in school.
Who are your Sustainability Mentors?
My Most sustainable Mentors are Gro Harlem Brundtland, the Mother of Sustainable Development and Amina Mohammed, our amiable Minister of Environment
What would you say is the future of Sustainable Development for Africa as a continent?
The Future of sustainable Development for Africa rest on today’s youth and it is promising because technology has enabled more young people to connect and learn about Sustainable Development and ways to contribute.
Do you believe Nigeria is ready for Sustainable Development?
By Nigeria I am assuming you mean both government and we asa people, I would say, we are in the right path but the journey is still a long way. I believe that, with this current administration and with Amina Mohammed on the Cabinet and the current projects that have been announced by the major ministries involved, Nigeria is moving in the right path.
We are sure that your favorite SDG is Goal 13 – Climate Action. What other goals are you very passionate about?
I am very passionate about Goals 1, 4, 5 and 7. Goal 1 – (No Poverty) I believe is the major reason many African Countries have been tagged – Developing for many years, even with our rich natural resources, I believe that once we promote Goal 4- Quality Education, where it is highly inclusive and accessible to all genders (Goal 5 – Gender Equality) then a greater part of the population will be learned and comfortable enough to support and promote major sustainable development indices like Goal 7 – (Renewable Energy)
Majority of Nigerians currently do not take environmental issues seriously, what would you say is the reason for this?
I think this perception has actually improved from the way it was some 10, 20 years ago. More health issues have come as a result of environmental hygiene and many more people are now aware of the effects of Climate Change. For Nigeria, the key factor would be to effectively communicate via the various forms of media, the impact humans have on the environment and why it is important to take it seriously.
What are your long term goals?
Doing what I love doing!
Tell SustyVibes something about Esther Agbarakwe that no one else knows
My eye colour changes with my mood
How best do you think Susty People can relate and share views about Sustainable Development in Africa?
I believe Social media and the right networking events allow us to meet and sometimes converse on the future of SD in Africa.
How would you say we can make African Youths participate in Sustainability?
I believe Sustainability is mainly for the future generation and so the youth have no choice than to get in the movement! Study, converse and stand with the many movements online and offline on sustainability in Africa. It is even more important for we Africans because we have more work to do in achieving SD. I however feel that with the right communication and linkages to sustainability and most global issues, young people would be able to see why they need to get involved.
What are the easiest ways people can be sustainable in their daily lives?
Incorporating some form of green living in your daily activities by easy forms of recycling, energy efficiency (Switching off unused appliances),avoiding pollution especially food waste and being kind to the people around us, that way we promote and protect the planet and people by just living.
What would you advise young people interested in a career along Sustainable Development.
I would say there is no better time to join the Sustainable Development movement than now. Works are in full gear to help the continent achieve the global goals, young people must collaborate with each other and leverage the power of social media in sharing their actions on causes they are passionate about through words and pictures. They must aspire to know all they can by reading and some more reading.
Young people must also put themselves out there for voluntary service and learning processes. Volunteer for conferences and events where you can meet more Susty people, but above all, have a social media identity that reveals your passion in simple ways. Messaging and not chatting is the key to social media success.
Finally, how can people reach you and get to know more about your work?
The fastest way to reach me would be on twitter via handle @estherclimate
Nice one. But ”My eyes change with my mood” that’s a serious one.lol