Ben Namakin

Ben Namakin is co-founder of the Pacific Islands Climate Revolution (PICRe), an organizations dedicated to recognizing youth as being under-represented in climate change dialogues, negotiations, and decision-making. He was born in 1980 and grew up on islands in the Pacific, living first in Kiribati and then moving in 1996 with his family to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Mr. Namakin attended Ponape Agriculture & Trade School, the only vocational high school in Micronesia, and graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture and Marine Science in 2001.  In 2002, Mr. Namakin began working for the Conservation Society of Pohnpei as Manager of the organization’s Environmental Education & Awareness Program. He also ran the “Green Road” program that educates students about watersheds, marine conservation, marine pollution, coral reefs, and land-sea connections. As a member of the youth delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal, Mr. Namakin addressed the plenary session and contributed to the declaration “Our Climate, Our Challenge, Our Future.” He also spoke for the Many Strong Voices at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Mr. Namakin is the founding chair of the International Pacific Marine. Educators Network (IPMEN), a World Wildlife Fund Climate Witness, steering committee co-chair for the Pacific Region and Global Youth, and also serves on the International Steering Committee for a Global Summit of Indigenous Peoples on Climate Change.