For many, climate change is an imminent threat, but for Riddhi Samtani, her family and all small island developing nations, sea level rise, extreme heat and destructive super storms are an everyday reality. Having been born and raised on the 37 square-mile island of Sint Maarten, Riddhi has drawn on this narrative to study, understand and solve the challenges third world countries face in terms of climate resilience, policy implementation and community engagement.

She now spends her time as the Head of Sustainability for a clean-tech startup based in Boston that is revolutionizing the mining industry to create a zero-waste world. As the ocean levels rise and cover islands, these experiences have not only solidified Riddhi’s passion but affirmed her commitment to be a champion for her country and all small islands nations in addressing her generation’s most pressing challenge: climate change. Riddhi shares her stories here based on her experiences and what she personally witnessed over time at home. For many, climate change is an imminent threat, but for Riddhi Samtani, her family and all small island developing nations, sea level rise, extreme heat and destructive super storms are an everyday reality. Having been born and raised on the 37 square-mile island of Sint Maarten, Riddhi has drawn on this narrative to study, understand and solve the challenges third world countries face in terms of climate resilience, policy implementation and community engagement.

Riddhi has acquired fulltime professional experiences across public and private sectors of the economy working in policy analysis, corporate sustainability and climate resilience namely at the EPA under the Obama Administration and Boston Consulting Group. Her experiences have not only solidified Riddhi’s passion but affirmed her commitment to be a champion for her country and all small islands nations and most importantly in addressing her generation’s most pressing challenge: climate change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx