4 Hispanic Activists Making Big Waves in Conservation

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15- Oct 15) is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of the Hispanic community to the prosperity, power and progress of the United States of America. This month serves to honour the heritage, traditions, and achievements of those with Latinx and Hispanic roots. From colourful festivals and delicious cuisines to the influential figures who have made lasting impacts in various fields, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to foster greater understanding, unity, and appreciation for the incredible diversity that continues to enrich the nation’s social and cultural landscape.

With the palpable consequences of Environmental degradation, and the looming threat of climate departure, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the people who take action to create a better future for all. These three extraordinary Hispanic activists are making big waves in conservation.

ANA SILVA, PH.D

Ana Silva is a Brazilian coastal oceanographer and a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Sydney, Australia. She holds a PhD. in coastal oceanography and works to understand the future evolution for the environmental stressors to coral reefs like heat waves, pH levels and storms. Ana has had a connection to nature since she was a little girl. Her parents encouraged her to embrace the outdoors and strive for independence. Her favourite movie “Twister” piqued her interest in science, as she marvelled at the expertise and knowledge of the films’ daring heroine. Ana’s own knowledge and expertise in Oceanography has contributed to immense strides in Environmental conservation. She initially wanted to be a journalist, but after learning what “oceanography” was, she made a decision that would change her life.

In 2020 she received the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the 1st Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference in Australia. Two years later, she was the recipient of the ‘Women in Coastal Geoscience & Engineering Award’.

When she is not solving the mystery of Australia’s disappearing beaches, she is a “Skype Scientist”. She gives lessons to children across the globe about climate issues and fosters a love of science in the future generations.

MARIA HILDA RIVERA

Maria is an Environmental activist and Energy advisor for Power Africa- a U.S. based global initiative that works with international development organisations and governments around the world to increase energy access in sub-Saharan Africa.

Maria grew up in Puerto Rico and has firsthand experience of living with unreliable electricity. Life with unpredictable energy access is what influenced her career trajectory, and she is determined to implement a steady clean energy market in developing countries. The Rutgers University alumnus is the mastermind behind many renewable energy projects and has overseen countless initiatives that implement clean energy and boost economic growth in remote areas of Africa. Her work in conservation is outstanding.

ADRIANA RAMOS

Adriana Ramos can be best described as a defender of the Amazon. Adriana has been dedicated to vigorously championing environmental policies for the last three decades. Despite facing numerous obstacles, her sense of justice never waned, and she continues to fight tirelessly against anti environmentalism.

She is the coordinator of the Brazilian nongovernmental organisation, Instituto SocioAmbiental (Socio Environmental), an organisation that develops integrated policies for societal and environmental issues. She is also an active member of the Amazon Fund Advisory Committee and a representative of NGOs. She advocates for the improvement of Brazil’s social and environmental legislation, as well as policy on indigenous rights in tropical forests and other ecosystems.

Adriana is a human ethernet cable. Her excellent interpersonal skills allow her to build connections with ease, which is imperative to breaking the barriers of bureaucracy that serve to hinder progress with activism.

CAROLINA MARAN, Ph.D,. P.E.

Carolina Maran is the Chief of District Resiliency with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Her role consists of coordinating resilience efforts across federal, state, regional, and local agencies, advancing scientific research and data analysis to ensure the District’s resilience planning and projects are founded on the best available science; and, developing and implementing comprehensive resiliency projects to mitigate and adapt to the challenges facing the District’s infrastructure from sea level rise and other climate change impacts.

Prior to joining SFWMD, Carolina was the Water Manager at Broward County. She worked over 10 years as a Water Resources Specialist for the Federal Water Agency in Brazil and collaborated with International Organizations as part of technical consulting teams.

Carolina serves on multiple conservation boards such as the Florida Water and Climate Alliance Steering Committee, the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors of the South Florida Hydrologic Society and the Resilient Utility Coalition.
Carolina has over 20 years of experience working on water and climate resiliency; water resources planning, management, and regulation; hydrological and hydraulic modelling, decision support systems and GIS; water allocation rules and conflict resolution. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering – Water Resources from Colorado State University and a Master’s in Water Resources Engineering from Parana Federal University in Brazil.

There are many more Hispanic leaders and visionaries in conservation that work to make our world more sustainable. People like Ana, Maria and Adriana give us hope for a prosperous future. It is our honour to applaud them for the difference they make to the world. This work ensures that our future generations have a cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable world. ¡Les agradecemos!

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