Neeshad V S holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and resides in Doha, Qatar. He has been an educator, speaker, and activist since university days on environmental education and human rights as well as working on numerous grassroots campaigns for various social justice issues that he cares about deeply.
- You have been involved in the environmental movement for?? Years. What first got you involved?
Mankind is rocketing towards an unrecognizable existence. The dynamic relationship between humans and the Earth has always captivated me. I can recall the first time I heard the word ‘climate change’ during my Bachelor’s degree, which fascinated as well as made me think. So it made choose my Master’s degree in Energy & Environmental Studies to give substance to the issues that are continually significant to society and me. My life at University changed my perception about this keywords and my role to work on this issue on a broad scene in a scientific way. Since then I have been involved with climate activism back in 2012 starting with Greenpeace India online campaigner and then CliMates. My life at University changed my perception about this keywords and my role to work on this issue on a broad scene in a scientific way
- Why and how you joined AYCM?
After I moved to Doha, Qatar I still wanted to continue my activism but was particularly interested in building the capacity of the Local Qatari population as well the regional with a local organization with more effectiveness. Henceforth I came across AYCM (The only youth climate activism group in the Middle East) which was launched on the road to COP18 in Doha and contacted regional chapters, who helped me set up the Qatar National Chapter with fellow Qatari member and officially launched AYCM Qatari chapter in September 2015.
- How did you, an Indian native, become AYCM Qatar’s national coordinator?
Over my stay in Qatar, I realized that even after Qatar hosting the glittering COP18 climate change summit in 2012, I found much of the local youth was not aware of the event and climate change issues at large, so I took up the challenge to work forward with young people of this country which is now my second home. Qatar’s young dynamic individuals who were and are always a motivation for me to work forward and their support has been immense all through.
- Where role does your environmental work play in your life?
To become a humble and nature loving human being. And to make a lot of young and dynamic friends across the Middle East region. I hope to use my experience and passion of working with young people to inspire the next generation to make a difference in the Middle East and the world at large.
- What have been the greatest changes you have seen over the past years of environmental activism?
There is. Fortunately, good changes, the environmental movements in the Middle East has been slow but have got much larger. There are more groups, large and small, working. I think it’s because the environmental movement has matured, and spread across even during the current difficult situation in the Middle East.
- What is your message for a better future on environmental activism
Future of environmental activism is in the hands of our young people. Young people are one of the greatest potentials of our societies, each of them individually, and all of them, together at once can be a real change maker. The engagement and participation of youth are essential to achieve sustainable development goals and in the fight against climate change. Young people are the drivers of change.
Climate Change 
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