Profile: Angela Zhong

Harvard University, Texas, USA

I would love to connect with a like-minded group of climate advocates as I feel that I am currently lacking community during my gap year. I hope to find a space to bounce off ideas, elevate each other's work, and feel welcomed :).

While pressure from the grassroots is undeniably a motivator for change, I still believe in the role of institutions to regulate companies -- the largest polluters. Because of my focus on climate policy, I have to recognize the work of past Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed and current speaker of the People's Majlis. He already had an illustrious career championing democracy in the island nation before taking on the problem of climate change. This is especially important as we need to highlight the voices and roles of those most affected, including small island developing states.