Climate Heroes: Yessenia Funes
We’re excited to be kicking off our Climate Heroesseries celebrating the leadership of Yessenia Funes. (We’re certain you’ll be fans of hers after this spotlight, too, if you aren’t already.)
As we shared in our launch blog, finding joy while working for a more equitable world matters more than ever. We believe love is the most powerful force that will move us forward. So, we’re shouting out the people who inspire us.
Yessenia Funes is an environmental journalist telling stories of society's most oppressed. She's been published in The Guardian, Yale Climate Connections, The Verge, Vox, and more. Be sure to subscribe to Possibilities, an independent climate newsletter she launched in 2023. We first met Yessenia during her time at Atmos Earth, many moons ago.
And where would we be in this decade of an accelerating climate crisis and elevated social consciousness without Yessenia?! Her diligence in uncovering truths and solutions and her focus on the people on the frontlines of a rapidly changing world bring us hope. Her musical offerings and mood vibes in her climate newsletter have us in anticipation each week.
We recently asked Yessenia questions about her work and commitment to climate justice. Read through her responses to learn what climate justice means to her below:
In your own words: What does being an ocean-climate hero mean to you?
“Being a climate hero means changing the narrative. People think of climate change and imagine doom and ruin. It's my job to help them see something different, a future worth fighting for. I write the stories others miss, uplifting the voices many in media ignore. I don't think of myself as a hero, though. The brave people who share their stories with me—those are the real heroes.”
What actions do you take to protect our mother earth and communities? What does climate justice mean to you?
“I write and report from the frontlines. I tell stories that the world urgently needs, spotlighting Indigenous knowledge and Black wisdom. These days, I'm especially committed to covering the ways climate change affects immigrant communities. Climate justice is about protecting the most vulnerable — and empowering them.”
Is there a word or phrase that keeps you inspired on the hard days?
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
― Arundhati Roy
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About Climate Heroes: Last month, our Equitable Comms team launched a new series called Climate Heroes. Through this series, our goal is to highlight ocean and climate justice leaders and advocates who dedicate their lives to protecting our planet and communities. Whether working locally, nationally, or globally, these individuals are changemakers who challenge the status quo and ask us to imagine and fight for a better world for our communities.
