Xinara (she/her) is a passionate 20-year-old currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil with Environmental Engineering at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Born and raised in the beautiful island of Barbados, Xinara developed a strong connection to the environment, leading her to recognize the critical importance of environmental conservation. As global warming and climate change gained prominence worldwide, and concerns about their effects on small island developing states grew, she recognized the need for action.
From an early age, Xinara had a clear sense of direction for both her personal and professional paths, opting to study Green Engineering for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). This opportunity allowed her to tap into her creativity, collaborating with group members to design a project focused on developing a green building student center. Her dedication, along with strong exam performance, earned her a spot on the regional merit list, where she placed 4th in both CAPE Unit 1 and Unit 2. In 2021, she joined the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), sparking her involvement in climate-related initiatives such as beach cleanups and ocean conservation efforts. Her activism deepened when she became a Youth Advocate with Youth Leaders for Climate Restoration, a nonprofit organization. Through this role, she contributed to many discussions and online forums on climate restoration and action, including participating in a TEDx talk titled “Path to Restoring the Climate.” Xinara is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that foster environmental conservation with a focus on small island developing states like Barbados.
Most recently, as part of Xinara’s personal involvement in climate activism, she became a member of the Barbados International Coastal Cleanup Working Group and helped launch the event on August 28th, 2024. In terms of her career development, Xinara interned at the Prime Minister’s Office in Barbados within the Bridgetown Initiative Unit. During this internship, she participated in project tasks related to the South Coast Reclamation Project, which focuses on addressing sewage problems on the island’s South Coast with the goal of both resolving the issue and enhancing Barbados’ water resilience.
As a member of the World Ocean’s Day Youth Advisory Council, Xinara is committed to protecting the ocean and the environment, with a strong desire to be actively involved in decision-making processes that enhance environmental resilience in small island developing states. She is eager to connect with other-like minded youth, believing that young people are the key players in making a change. Xinara is also working towards establishing her own NGO focused on youth-led climate initiatives and community engagement, aiming to contribute to capacity building in these areas as youth are the future of our planet.