Students are being encouraged to become advocates for the environment and guardians of the ocean.
“Advocacy starts with knowing. Your advocacy in protecting the environment doesn’t start when you become an adult; it starts right now. I want you to focus your studies from now on things that build your capacity and your ability to protect the environment,” said Marsha Smith, junior minister in the Ministry of Education and Youth.
She was delivering the keynote address during last Friday’s Earth Ambassadeurs World Oceans Day ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
Earth Ambassadeurs is a volunteer-led environmental body committed to using education and science to raise awareness, promote behavioural change, and find solutions to protect the oceans.
Smith said that prioritising science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) subjects is a way of promoting critical thinking, and is key in identifying solutions to preserve the ocean.
“So that you can see what is out there, analyse what is happening and, through the study of historical patterns, come up with reasons why certain things are happening, and probably discover solutions that can work to address and retard climate degradation,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Andrea Clayton, founder of Earth Ambassadeurs, said it is her desire for the programme’s reach to be expanded.
“It is free and available to all children in families, schools, church groups and community groups. The youth ambassadors are our hope for the future. They will create change in their homes, schools and their communities,” Clayton stated.
