Diego Arreola Fernández
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I have a mission to gather as many people around the world as possible, and inspire them all to create a great positive change together.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Navy Blue or Turquoise
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
In Mexico City we have a recently introduced policy to promote Zero Waste culture, which prohibits single use plastic bags and other disposables (such as straws and cutlery). Unfortunately, this only applies for restaurants, supermarkets and stores, but not for the entire sector of “street markets” and the “popular economy,” which contributes significantly to plastic pollution.
In coastal regions there are several cleanups organized by both NGOs and the government, and some recycling programs, but not many strategies that address the problem from its source.
What is your favorite ocean animal?
Probably the dolphin, shark or octopus.
Bio:
Diego Arreola Fernández (19) is an Ocean Hero, public speaker, educator and environmental activist from Mexico City, passionate for storytelling and determined to change the world. He’s the founder of Green Speaking, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate every kid and young person from around the world on both intersectional environmentalism and effective communication strategies, to form the next generation of positive leaders!
Heather Brockbank
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I feel communal activism is important in order to strive to create a positive impact in the world around us. When everyone has the best interest of each other in mind it can have a great impact.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Anatomic Azul
What do you enjoy most about being an Ocean Hero?
I enjoy having an outlet for my passions and desires for the environment; being an Ocean Hero helps me take an active part in the change that I want to see in this world. I want the world to be a better place not only for me but for everyone else that inhabits this planet.
What inspires you to speak out for ocean health?
The ocean cannot linguistically express its fears or its pains and is crying out right now for our help. It is our duty as environmentalists and as human beings who live on the planet Earth to make sure that our very livelihoods and the ocean are protected.
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
The organization I work with in The Bahamas conducts a canal clean every week in order to clean up ocean pollutants that are in the canals.
What is your favorite ocean animal?
Spotted Eagle Ray
Bio:
Heather Brockbank (17) is a youth leader and activist from The Bahamas eager to spread her positive message to all. She is passionate about the environment she grew up in and a tireless advocate for the ocean. Heather is the UNICEF HEY Campaign Ambassador for The Bahamas and 2021 BESS scholar with the Bahamas Reef Environmental Education Foundation (BREEF). Heather enjoys snorkeling, swimming and SCUBA diving and dreams of becoming a marine biologist.
Chanté Davis
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I see a lot of myself in the ocean — I relate to the overfishing and exploitation on a cultural level. On a more positive note, the ocean inspired me everyday to be generous and welcoming and wondrous. The ocean allows me to feel like a kid again, even though the work I am doing might suggest otherwise.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Sprulean
What do you enjoy most about being an Ocean Hero?
Having a network I can refer back to, where I can discuss my concerns, aspirations, and anything else under the moon at times!
What inspires you to speak out for ocean health?
Knowing that I want to have a career in ocean conservation, specifically shark and ray conservation, I choose to speak out for ocean health because I know it plays an imperative role in maintaining our climate.
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
There have been refillable water bottle stations implemented at public parks and schools!
What is your favorite ocean animal?
Whale Shark
Bio:
Chanté Davis (17) is an Ocean Hero alumni and climate storyteller from New Orleans, Louisiana. As a writer, Chanté is most passionate about telling untold stories — stories of the marginalized that aren't usually centered in the environmental movement — in hopes of showing the intersectionality of the climate crisis. As an Ocean Hero, Chanté strives to make the movement equitable and inclusive to the historically oppressed through her One Oysean campaign.
Dejea Lyons
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I am an Ocean Hero because I want to protect our future; not only for myself but for the generation behind us, which includes my younger siblings.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Caribbean Blue
What do you enjoy most about being an Ocean Hero?
The global network of people that we are connected to has been amazing. Being able to connect with people who have such unique stories has been so enjoyable.
What inspires you to speak out for ocean health?
The fact that I live on an island and have been surrounded by water my whole entire life. Additionally, a lot of islanders, such as my father, rely on the water to either make a living or to keep them alive. The ocean is a main food source for many.
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
We do regular beach and ocean clean ups. There is at least one a month.
What is your favorite ocean animal?
It's different everyday.
Bio:
Dejea Lyons (18) was born and raised in the beautiful Cayman Islands. Growing up on an island fostered her deep love for the ocean and the water, as well as a deep concern for the ocean’s health. She is the vice-president of Protect Our Future, a youth-led organization in the Cayman Islands. Protect Our Future successfully lobbied to prevent the construction of a cruise port that would have decimated local reefs; helped push anti-plastic pollution policies in the Cayman Islands, and increased awareness around the importance of marine flora and fauna. She is an Ocean Heroes Alumni and a passionate storyteller.
Oluwaseyi Moejoh
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I'm passionate about developing and implementing innovative solutions to solve this problem.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Tranquility
What do you enjoy most about being an Ocean Hero?
We create solutions.
What inspires you to speak out for ocean health?
The ocean is endangered by plastic pollution and climate change.
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
Little or no local systems are available in my area.
What is your favorite ocean animal?
Dolphins
Bio:
Oluwaseyi Moejoh (20) is the Cofounder of U-recycle Initiative Africa and also a law student. She has been recognized as a National Geographic Young Explorer, a High Seas Alliance Youth Ambassador and a 2021 Three Dot Dash Global Teen Leader. Oluwaseyi is passionate about changing the narratives pertaining to the plastic pollution and climate crisis in Africa and the world through building grassroot solutions and spurring meaningful actions through her writings. She lives in the bright bustling cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt in Nigeria.
Hannah Testa
Why are you an Ocean Hero?
I have always been passionate about our environment and I chose to turn that passion into action.
Name Your Shade of Blue:
Sapphire Sea
What inspires you to speak out for ocean health?
Youth voices need to be heard because our future depends on it. No matter how far you are from the nearest coastline, the ocean touches us with every second breath of our lives.
What systems are in place in your area to help tackle ocean plastics?
NOTHING, only curbside recycling.
What is your favorite ocean animal?
Sea turtles! They are the golden retrievers of the ocean.
Bio:
Hannah Testa (18) is a sustainability advocate, international speaker, author, TEDx speaker, politico, and founder of Hannah4Change, a non-profit dedicated to fighting issues that impact the planet. She is passionate about issues that affect our planet and she has been using her influence since a young age to educate others, as she believes that "knowledge is power.” Her love for the planet and everything that inhabits it has driven her to advocate for its protection, as well as motivate others to join her.