A month ago, our team was lucky enough to welcome Jasmine Sanders as our unstoppable new Executive Director. Jasmine brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to Our Climate. When Jasmine is not busy leading our youth revolution from her Washington D.C home, she enjoys recharging by the ocean with a good book and spending time with her family and friends. Read Jasmine’s full interview below to hear more about our incredible Executive Director, and join us in giving her one more warm welcome to the team!
What is your name and title?
Jasmine Sanders (She/her/hers), Our Climate Executive Director
Where are you based now, and where is home for you?
“I’m based in Washington D.C, but was raised in Monroe, Louisiana”
What drew you to Our Climate and the climate movement in general?
“This was my dream job. Being raised to achieve my dreams, but growing up in a world that was not designed for my success either as a woman or a black person, has only fueled the fire in my fight for justice. Climate change is not a political issue, but rather a human issue. We often talk about leaving legacies and I think this is why each generation should care about the climate crisis. I grew up in Louisiana where I experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, massive flooding, eutrophication and a disappearing coast, resulting in Louisiana’s unique culture also starting to dissipate. Conducting research in Indonesia, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, opened my eyes to climate change as an extreme and the depths of each of the intersecting effects. I am inspired by Our Climate’s ability to harness and mobilize our youth, teach them the importance of advocating and how to lobby. It is indeed our youth who are going to change the world.”
What is something you are really proud of, either in your professional or personal life?
“Achieving this most recent professional milestone of becoming an Executive Director, but even more so, being the first black female Executive Director of Our Climate and increasing the representation percentage of women of color in leadership in the environmental (climate change) sector.”
What does climate justice mean to you?
“Climate justice is all encompassing. This term acknowledges the intersecting effects of climate change, including environmental, economical, migration, health, food & security, racial, socio-cultural and legislative.”
Organizing in the climate movement can be tiring work. What is your favorite way to relax, take care of yourself, or unplug from work?
“Read and sit by the ocean.”
When (or where!) are you at your happiest?
“With my family…my tribe and at the beach!”
Jasmine can be reached at Jasmine@ourclimate.us.