Aria Laidlow – Climate Change Researcher Identifying Pathways for Sustainable Development in SIDS
This month, OECS YES In Action caught up with Aria Laidlow, a 29-year-old Vincentian national tackling the issues of climate change and sustainable development and inspiring youth activism regionally and internationally.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I reside on the largest Grenadine island of Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I am passionate about youth affairs, sustainable development and climate change.
Currently, I serve as one of the Directors of Programme Development for the Commonwealth Youth Council for the Caribbean and the Americas. I am the founder of Youth Opportunities SVG and a recent Sustainability and Climate Change Research Intern with the Met Office UK.

I am a very family-oriented person and love spending my downtime with small groups of friends.
When did you first notice your inclination towards Environmental Sustainability?
I first noticed my inclination towards environmental consciousness when I discovered my love for Geography during my secondary school years at the St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown. The multidisciplinary nature of the subject area was refreshing, and I was able to make connections and draw references from my existing surroundings in relation to the modules.
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