Climate Warrior | Diwigdi Valiente

Voice Above Water is the story of Wayan Nyo, a 90-year-old Balinese fisherman who can no longer fish because of the amount of plastic piling up in the ocean. Wayan instead uses his fishing boat and net to collect trash from the ocean in hopes of one day being able to fish again. The story is a glimpse into how one human is using his resources to make a difference and a reminder that if we all play our part we can accomplish something much greater than ourselves.

The Bahamas is internationally recognized for its stunning seascapes and wealth of fauna and flora. However, this paradise is polluted by plastic — the marine litter concentrations for The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean are nearly three times the global average. Kristal Ambrose is a Bahamian marine and environmental scientist, also known as “Kristal Ocean.” After sailing across the Pacific Ocean to study an oceanic “garbage patch,” she returned home to inspire the government and local communities to move toward a plastic-free Bahamas, creating a nonprofit called Bahamas Plastic Movement. Through her unique, joyful approach to education and activism, Kristal connects Bahamian youth to the ocean and empowers them to use their voice to protect the natural environment. Together, they are the Plastic Warriors.

The petrochemical industry and the pollution it creates disproportionately harms people of color and low-income communities. The need for a comprehensive and systemic policy to address the plastics crisis has never been greater.