Coffee & Geography 6x09 Nava Khorram Ahmad (Marianas/Latvia) Climate ed, Child of the Pacific

Kit Marie is joined by Nava Khorram Ahmad, Executive Director of the Climate Education Centre, a newly established non‑profit developing holistic, action‑orientated climate education for young people globally. Nava shares how the organisation began (co‑founded with her mum) and why their curriculum aims to go beyond climate science to include climate justice, Indigenous ways of knowing, practical action, and emotional support for young people who feel overwhelmed. The conversation explores Nava’s geographic identity—growing up in the Mariana Islands (Saipan), moving to Czechia at 15, and living in Latvia—and how that shaped her values, priorities, and connection to nature. Nava reflects on community life on a small island, the region’s complex colonial history, and early experiences of environmental action through Beautify CNMI, including a childhood initiative to restore a neglected lighthouse. Listener questions take the discussion into climate education in different contexts (Pacific vs Europe vs US), how to foster climate awareness during geopolitical conflict, and the values underpinning climate concern. Nava also shares examples of young people driving climate resilience, including a Pacific‑islands‑led legal effort at the ICJ and youth action in Hawai‘i. 🔗 Climate Education Centre: https://climateducation.org 🔗 European Climate Pact: https://climate-pact.europa.eu/ 🔗 ICJ to Deliver Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: https://sdg.iisd.org/news/icj-to-deliver-advisory-opinion-on-climate-change/ 🔗 Beautify CNMI: https://www.facebook.com/beautifycnmi/ 🔗 Marianas Eye (March 28, 2008) Nava Khorram: Environmental Champion: https://marianaseye.blogspot.com/2008/03/nava-khorram-environmental-champion.html 🔗 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) overview: https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/cnmi Connect with Nava via LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nava-khorram/ #CoffeeGeogPod #ClimateEducation #ClimateJustice #YouthClimateAction #IndigenousKnowledge #ClimateResilience #PacificIslands #Saipan #EducationReform #ClimateAnxiety #CommunityAction #ClimateCommunication #ICJ Theme music: "Spark of Inspiration" by Silvermansounds.com