Who I am: Romita Datt, Nadi – COP Delegation

Environmentally bent: I have been working with PSP for the last year, and in 2010 attended COP16 in Cancun, Mexico, as youth liaison.

Moonlights as: I am currently doing my BA in English, Language, Literature & Communication at Unifiji, Lautoka

Something Strange: I cant eat ketchup with any food in front of me………

Who I am: Krishneil Narayan, Sydney – International Team Co-Director & Spokesperson

Environmentally bent: I have been working with PSP for two years, attending the last two UNFCCC COP sessions as a spokesperson for PSP. I also work closely with YOUNGO in arranging their conference of youth, which coincides with each COP event. I am one of the co-founders of the Pacific Climate Leadership Program and also a trained climate change speaker/presenter receiving training from 2007 Noble Peace Price winner for climate change – Mr Al Gore.

I have worked with the youths in the Pacific Islands empowering them to become more environmentally friendly; done a lot of media engagements, community education & school tours in Fiji to educate about climate change; conducted various workshops & public forums on climate change going as far as being a tutor for an undergraduate Conservation Biology course at the University of the South Pacific teaching a special topic on climate change for one semester.

Moonlights as: I am currently completing my Masters of Sustainable Development at Macquarie University in Sydney and also the Head of Asia Pacific Projects at Youthlink.

Something Strange: Over the last 4 years, I have done so much media and educational work around climate change that no one even realizes now that I am actually a scientist. Yup, I have a Biological Science background and yet I am more renowned for my media advocacy then actually being a scientist. Interesting how life turns out to be.

Who am I: Penelope Ward, Melbourne – International Team Co-Director

Environmentally Bent: I specialize in Environmental and Human Rights Law and attended COP15 as official delegate to Mediators Beyond Borders. In 2010, inspired by what I saw PSP achieve at COP15, I joined the team as Media Director. I went on to lead the COP16 delegation to Cancun, Mexico and will be working with the COP team in the lead-up to COP17 again this year.

Moonlights as: I am currently on exchange in Uppsala, Sweden, undertaking a Human Rights intensive. When at home I work as Equality Director for the Melbourne University Law School, volunteer with the Melbourne AYCC team, and work part-time in a Family Law Firm and the Environment Defenders Office.

Who I am: Luana Bosanquet-Heays, Wellington – COP Delegation

Environmentally Bent: I have recently finished my degree in Social Sciences and Maori Development and this teamed with a passion stemming from my childhood led me to the ever exciting world of activism. I feel action on climate change is not only a passion for me, but a duty. Being from the Pacific I see every day the effects of climate change on our land, our economy and our people.

I have been involved in various environmental and social justice NGOs throughout the Pacific and NZ as well as interning at the Green Party of Aotearoa NZ.  I’m particularly interested in addressing the issue of climate change from a human rights perspective, and am fighting to get environmental refugees recognised in international legislation.

Moonlights as: Might have to get back to you on this one…

Something Strange: When I was a kid, people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up and I always replied “A pirate ship”- yes the actual vessel.

Who I am: Heidi Vial, Melbourne – Postcards from the Pacific Director

Environmentally Bent: I work for PSP as the Director of Postcards from the Pacific – previously I was Youth Team Director. I ride most places on my bike, I carry my own shopping bag and generally pester everyone around me to turn switches and taps off and not to waste.

Moonlights As: I am studying a Masters of international development full time at RMIT.

One Strange Thing: I have rather itchy feet, love to travel and all the good things in life, mostly food and being outside

Who am I: Natalie Ross-Lapointe, Melbourne – Policy Director and COP Delegation

Environmentally Bent: I head up the policy team at PSP and was the policy specialist and AOSIS liaison officer on the PSP COP16 Delegation to Mexico. I have previously worked for the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet in the Climate Change Branch. Whilst there, we released the Victorian Climate Change White Paper and legislated 20% emission cuts by 2020.

I also worked for Environment Victoria and did an internship as a Delegate/Adviser to Nauru at the UN General Assembly in New York. Working on the Pacific Small Island Developing States’ (PSIDS) climate change and security resolution there, is what sparked my interest in climate change and made me realise its devastating impact on the pacific region.

Moonlights as: I work for the Department of Justice in disability policy.

One Strange Thing: My spirit was called in an aboriginal fertility ceremony and I was given the name Mauka.

Who I am: Amanda Musumeci, Brisbane – HR Manager

Environmentally Bent: I have been working in HR for PSP over the last year, and also work locally in HR for various NGOs. I am trying to do my part for the environment, by conserving energy and resources around the home, utilising public transport (to reduce my carbon footprint), and using environmentally friendly grocery bags.

Moonlights As: I am close to finishing a Business degree (majoring in Human Resource Management) and a Law degree at QUT.  Currently, I work as a Research and Administrative Assistant for a small local organisation, which aims to assist not – for – profit and small to medium sized businesses plan for the effects of an ageing workforce and climate change.  I also volunteer as a Legal Administrative Assistant for a Neighbourhood Centre, which supports local residents and provides free legal advice.

One Strange Thing: I used to attend Bollywood dance classes – I was never any good at it though.

Who am I: Harriet Kater

Environmentally Bent: I walk to work, I am continuously switching off lights and educating friends about energy efficiency, I think about the carbon intensity of my personal supply chain and the changes I can make to reduce the downstream emissions associated with my consumption habits – I am already vegetarian but there’s always more work to be done!

Moonlights as: I work with Energetics a climate change consultancy. I work with the biggest emitters in Australia to help them understand their emissions profiles and mitigation strategies they can employ.

Something Strange: I grew up on a sheep and cattle property in the Snowy Mountains in NSW. Observing the challenges my parents have faced by managing a property through continuous droughts is a contributing factor to my deep concern about our changing climate and its impact upon communities.

Who I am: Rowena Maguire, Brisbane - Policy Team

Environmentally Bent: I research in the area of international and national environmental law, try to live sustainably and participate in some community events/ festivals with environmental focus. I also work on the PSP policy team.

Moonlights as: An academic in the Law Faculty at QUT.

One Strange Thing: I love crazy and weird foods- anything intense and different.

Who I am: Melissa Neighbour, Bondi, NSW – Events and Fundraising Team

Environmentally Bent: I am working with Project Survival Pacific and using the media to raise awareness about climate change in the Pacific Islands. I work on the marketing and communications actions as well as the planning and implementation of creative campaigns and special events.

Every day I also try to reduce my ecological footprint on our Mother Earth by re-using everything I can get my hands on – boxes, bags, containers and bottles!! I also commute to work by running!

Moonlights as: I work as the sustainability leader for the LJ Hooker network.
I can interpret the clouds!!

Who I am: Zoe Whitton – Project Director

Environmentally Bent: I work as the Director of PSP and have in the past worked as IT Director, on the media team and on the COP Delegation.  I have not thrown out a plastic bag since 1995. Not one. There is a plastic bag monster growing in my laundry now.

Moonlights as: Director of Whitton Media, a small interactive media consultancy based in Brisbane.

One Strange Thing: I don’t have the right nerves for pain tolerance, so I feel pain differently to most people, which was a problem when my appendix popped because I didn’t feel it!