SALAMATU FADA

'My connection to nature and the environment began from my childhood holidays with my family. We spent a lot of life in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria and enjoyed the times immensely. Never did I imagine that those holidays will shape my professional career and my travels. This is 40 odd years ago, and I still spend my best days interacting with nature, whether in beautiful Wales, England, Nigeria, or other nature sites around the world. From the mere observations of a six-year-old tourist girl, to becoming a specialist in conservation biology, I have experienced the much-documented degradation of our biodiversity as well as the climate crisis confronting us. Of course, the pressures from human population growth and irrational consumption practices are in part responsible for the negative impacts we are witnessing in biodiversity degradation. It is therefore of essence to contribute to the big discussions of nature and climate change crises, but probably more importantly to engage with grassroot mobilization for nature and climate actions. My current passion in Bangor, North Wales and in some states in Northern Nigeria is to mobilize youth, school children and women for action by engaging in workshops, climate change campaigns, beach cleans, litter picking etc. I also have a group of African Youth Climate Activists that I mentor virtually. Last year, we were able to facilitate the attendance of few young climate activists at the Glasgow COP 26 and it was a  great experience for them. The challenges are big, but I believe 'every little action' helps. So we keep going!!!'