Kathy M. Jetnil-Kijiner, a poet, writer, and environmental activist from the Marshall Islands, has become a powerful voice for climate justice and the preservation of her Pacific Island culture. Born and raised in the Marshall Islands, Jetnil-Kijiner has dedicated her work to raising awareness about the existential threat that climate change poses to her homeland, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Her poetry often focuses on the interconnectedness of her people with the environment, highlighting the devastating impacts of rising sea levels, nuclear testing, and environmental degradation on the Marshallese community. She rose to international prominence when she performed her poem “Dear Matafele Peinem” at the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit, a deeply emotional piece that called for global action to combat climate change and preserve the future of island nations.
In addition to her work as a poet, Jetnil-Kijiner is also an advocate for the rights of Indigenous people and women, using her platform to amplify the voices of marginalized communities facing climate crisis. Her activism has included speaking at various international forums, such as the UN, to push for stronger commitments to combat climate change, especially in vulnerable island nations. Through her poetry, her leadership, and her advocacy, Kathy M. Jetnil-Kijiner continues to inspire global conversations on environmental justice and the survival of Pacific Island nations, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational solidarity and the resilience of Indigenous cultures in the face of global challenges.
