In an era where the voice of youth is resonating louder than ever on global issues, Dominica’s very own Ferdison Valmond is a shining example of the power and passion that young people bring to the forefront of advocacy. As November approaches, the spotlight turns to Valmond, a 20-year-old climate and youth activist, poised to join a group of 100 young delegates from around the globe who will help shape the debate at Cop28 in Dubai.
The team of eco ambassadors, three-quarters of whom are drawn from developing nations, will help ensure young voices are heard during crunch talks aimed at protecting the planet for future generations. In an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), the Sineku native revealed that his motivation to pursue this opportunity was fueled by the stark absence of representation for Dominica’s youth on the global stage—particularly within climate change dialogues. This void, coupled with his unwavering passion for environmental issues, impelled him to take the audacious leap and apply.
The news of his selection, emerging from a pool of 11,000 applicants, struck Valmond with a blend of astonishment and gratitude. This recognition reinforced his belief that his voice, as an envoy of Dominica’s youth, would resound on the international platform.
“I was so surprised,” he acknowledged. “It was unexpected. I am thankful that I will be able to provide adequate representation for Dominica in a conference such as this which allows young people to sit at this table and be involved in the conversation surrounding climate change and everything related to the environment.”
His passion for environmental matters, particularly climate change, was ignited after he witnessed Hurricane Maria’s devastating impact on his homeland, Dominica, in 2017. This firsthand encounter galvanized him into action, leading him to collaborate with the United Nations on sustainable development goal 13 – climate action.
Valmond’s aspirations for COP28 are ambitious and far-reaching. He intends to shed light on the challenges that Dominica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face due to climate change. Beyond this, he aims to foster collaboration between indigenous groups, sharing knowledge and techniques to collectively address the climate crisis. An equally crucial aspect of his mission involves advocating for streamlined access to climate resilience project funding for SIDS like Dominica.
“By my presence, it becomes evident that even in the wake of Hurricane Maria’s impact in 2017, the youth of Dominica persist in their advocacy for climate change action. This stems from the recognition that this issue imperils both our livelihoods and the prospects of future generations,” the young climate change advocate contended.
Valmond eagerly anticipates that policymakers will facilitate substantive participation at decision-making levels, inviting young voices to contribute their insights on climate change solutions. Drawing from the words of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, he underlined the pivotal role that young people play in the battle against the climate crisis.
“While it’s commonly said that youth are the future, we must recognize that we are the present, and need a seat at the table to shape a beneficial future for ourselves and generations to come,” he emphasized.
Beyond the horizon of COP28, and his advocacy for youth involvement in decision-making processes at all levels, his dedication extends to championing cultural preservation and leveraging the wisdom of indigenous communities to make significant strides in the global fight against climate change.
“Most times when I enter these scenes I always include indigenous people and climate change as one unit because our knowledge as indigenous people can help any nation in the fight against climate change,” Valmond declared.
“If we are allowed to do that then we would be a huge asset to any company, agency, or government,” the climate activist added. “So meaningful young engagements in decision-making platforms, further climate activism, and advocacy and also youth, peace and security are top on my agenda.”
Don’t buy in to the climate change agenda of the UN. The UN is conveniently involved with changing the climate through aerial spraying, geo-engineering, weather manipulation and control of military weather weapons. The corporate jets of the elite emit a lot of pollution as do aircraft in general. God is not doing this, man is. And for the most part, it is not your everyday man.
This is not to say that there is no pollution going on which needs to stop, however, it is primarily the corporations who manufacture items which contribute to this pollution and the consumers who do not push these manufacturers to make items more bio-compatible and bio-degradable and less toxic. Recycling needs to be made a priority. If it can’t be recycled in some way, maybe its’ production should be stopped until it can be.
Young man if these prouncements are yours.I would like to commend you. But if you are like the others,just going along talking nonsense about Climate Change, Please spare me. When Barak Obama won the primary,
On June 3, 2008 at the Democratic convention, Barack Obama told us,
“This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow, and our planet began to heal.”
After 16 years,we still have hurricanes,drought and rough seas. But he went and bought an $11000000 mansion close to the sea at Martha’s Vineyard,Massachusetts.
Many of these guys like John Kerry and others are traveling on their private jets. At the same time they want us to cook our food on charcoal and dry wood ,travel to town on donkeys and rowing boats, because using fossil fluid is destroying the human race as we know it.
Many of the fires in Canada are caused by not putting off their fires after camping, also others throwing their cigarettes butts on the dry grass.
These day’s people just sound good but no legs to carry on. Skerrit has so badly destroyed the country, especially the young people, that all I can see is we tend to dream big but Skerrit finds a way to daykalay those dreams either with his bribe or through his evil spell that’s causing our young men to either get involved in drugs or alcohol, become paro, die in accidents or turning the gun on one another. I don’t know if all you seeing what I seeing but what I seeing under this evil regime is not good people. Under Skerrit I think of the conflict between the Law and the weakness of the flesh the apostle highlighted in Romans 7 , and from verse 14 he says “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” In verse 24 he ends by saying 4 Oh wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me? My Lord deliver us from the evil spell of Skerrit over Dominica so young people like Ferdison Valmond can accomplish their dream
When the millionaires and billionaires want to have a nice vacation, they travel to Davos on their private jets.They are polluting the atmosphere, at the same time the’re telling us
“Our conference in Davos, is to save the planet earth from Climate Change.”
This joker from New York, congresswoman O.A.C. told us in 2018 that if we don’t stop using fossil fluid, the world is going to end in 12yrs.
From the day that God Almighty created heaven and earth, the climate have been changing. For example.Over 2000 years ago, the apostle Paul was on a ship traveling to Rome/Italy and they were faced with a massive hurricane. For several days they saw no sun and no moon. Acts 27:14-20.
We must take note that 2000 yrs ago there was no jet, train, ship or generator running on fossil fluid. So we cannot use hurricane Maria as an example to promote the religion of Climate Change. Do you know what is destroying planet earth? SIN.
Righteousness exalts a nation,but is an abom…Pro.14:34
It’s been a while since I came across such a finely crafted piece on DNO. Typically, I’m quick to point out flaws, but as the saying goes, recognition should be given where it’s deserved. Could this be a fresh author, I wonder, maybe admin can confirm.
PS: congratulations, young man
ADMIN: This article was written by a regular contributor to DNO.
We have asked the individual if they would like to have their name published.
If they agree we will update the by-line at the top of the article.
@Bravo
Could be that you are not a frequent fan of this medium. Many many articles on here have to superior to this.
Well done young man. Be a good ambassador!
Anytime and everytime young people are positively engaged it represents something positive for society.