Growing up on an island where mangroves were abundant was a blessing for me and my community, but what happens when these blessings are being taken away from us? For the past decade, I have witnessed the continuous degradation of these ecosystems, the very places where my childhood memories were etched. But I did nothing and let these developments take away this precious gift, since I was just a kid ignorant of their importance.

Now, at an age where awareness demands action, I refuse to be blinded by what’s happening around me; it is no excuse for me to just stand there and let these coastal protectors die to the wrath of humanity. The summit may have come to an end, but my journey towards being an environmental advocate has just been ignited.

The two-day summit became a lifelong learning experience I will carry with me forever as I continue my battle towards a greener, more resilient, and sustainable future. Surrounded by individuals of different backgrounds and stories, yet driven by the same passion for mangrove conservation, I realized that I am not alone in this fight. Witnessing these passionate youth leaders who shared the same goal as me motivates me to pursue my passion for environmental conservation.

Dr. Primavera, a well-known mangrove expert, delivered an impactful message that pierced through my heart, awakening the spirit of environmentalism within me. Her words, "Mangroves are our wealth, but what does the government do? They cut down our wealth; they cut down mangroves!" resonate with the reality of most of the communities, including mine. It was a call to action, a reminder that we cannot afford to close our eyes to the mangroves pleading for help.

From her speech, I learned that local action is key to the success of environmental conservation. The involvement of local communities ensures a long-term sustainability of these conservation efforts. This knowledge instilled in me will not just stay with me; it will be passed within my community by creating a local group to educate them about the importance of mangroves, and I will work to help restore the damage that has been done.

And for as long as I live, the mangroves in my community will thrive, and I will continue to be their voice. I will show my community that we can gain wealth from mangrove conservation, not from its destruction.

A seed of green commitment has been planted by the end of the summit, and a movement will grow within me that shall not falter. I pledge to be a catalyst of change, fighting to save and restore our local mangroves. The mangroves that nurtured my childhood will, in turn, nurture the future of our island—a living legacy of our collective effort to protect the wealth that has been bestowed upon us.

It is a promise I intend to keep until my last breath.