Climate change is wreaking havoc on the island nation of Vanuatu, and young activist, Vepaia, is taking on the defining challenge of our lifetime.  

Inspired by her mother – the first female Ni-Vanuatu judge – and her grandmother – a poet and gender equality advocate – Vepaia campaigns for the entwined goals of gender equality and climate justice. And now, she’s taking her fight to The Hague. In her spare time, she leads ocean cleanups, likes reading and rowing and writes nature poetry.

Supported and trained by the team at Save the Children’s NextGen programme - which provides participants with the skills to research, communicate, and meaningfully engage in national, regional and global discussions on climate resilience from a child rights perspective - Vepaia will join lawyers from Vanuatu at to testify at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands on the 2nd of December 2024.

The team and Vepaia will advocate for the inclusion of children’s rights in the climate justice debate and call for an advisory opinion that acknowledges States’ obligations to tackle the climate crisis and protect future generations. Vepaia says:

I really hope that the work I do now – the messages I'm trying to spread – can have an impact.

Vepaia will celebrate her 16th birthday on the first day of hearings (2nd Dec), the day Vanuatu presents its statement in court. She says: 

All I want for my birthday is climate justice.

Vepaia tells us in her own words how climate change, especially cyclones affect Vanuatu’s children and also gives us insight into her preparation ahead of the ICJ hearing in the Hague.

vepaia's story in her own words

Cyclones and the impact of climate change on children

Climate change impacts Vanuatu and its people in many ways. So many people depend on agriculture and farming as part of their livelihoods. It's like their life and it's also in our culture and traditions. So, when cyclones hit and it ruins crops and it ruins gardens, ruins homes – it takes a toll on people. And it also doesn't just affect people who grow the food and, you know, they generate money that way, but also everyone else who buys from them - it affects the whole economy.

Cyclones hit us. It destroys homes and schools and then we've got rising sea levels and people who live on the coast have to move their gardens. They might have to move as well.

Climate change impacts education, which is something that's essential for children and children’s development and cyclones can hit schools and destroy schools and people. Children miss days of school and that can have a really negative impact.

And then there's also the mental health impacts and we don't really talk about it that much, but it can cause anxiety in children and young people. I've experienced many cyclones. It can be kind-of terrifying, especially the strong ones.

Prepping for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings

The ICJ is the International Court of Justice, also known as the Peace Palace. It's in the Netherlands and it's the highest court in the world.

I'm going there in December for the oral proceedings because Vanuatu is seeking an advisory opinion on climate change and the effects of climate change, it's very exciting.

Save the Children is supporting my visit and has provided me with a lot of training on climate change and they're also funding myself and my mother to go, which I am very grateful for.

I do want to ensure that I represent the youth of Vanuatu in the Pacific. I hope the outcome is in our favour. It's an advisory opinion, so it's not legally binding but I really hope that it paves the way for more discussion and dialogue around climate change and around what the responsibilities are for huge carbon emitting countries in the world.

Activism on climate, climate justice and gender inequality

Climate change impacts gender equality and women's rights. When a natural disaster hits, women usually have the burden of carrying out tasks around the house and doing things.

Also, if there are young boys in the family, they are probably the ones going to school, not the young girls. The girls [end up] staying at home and helping out. That's a clear example of how climate change affects gender equality.

I hope that as the years go on, women and girls will find their voice and people can stand up for what is right - equality between men and women. 

Importance of world leaders listening to children

I think adults should listen to children, and young people more, because many of the issues we're facing today, children will probably be the most affected, especially their future.

Climate change would affect children more than it would affect adults today, because it's our future ahead of us and it's in jeopardy right now.

If you're a young person concerned about these, your voice does matter. You don't have to wait for an opportunity to speak up. You can look for opportunities yourself or take up an opportunity and just spread your message because your experiences do matter.

I definitely won't ever stop advocating or being an activist for climate change, climate justice and gender equality. And even though I do want to go into the medical field when I'm older to be a doctor or nurse, I'll keep on advocating for climate change and gender equality. I don't know how, but I’ll still be an activist for it. 

learn more about Vepaia's journey to the ICJ