Born and raised in Haiti, Jean Weiner has worked on coastal and marine since 1991. In 1992, Jean founded Haiti’s first coastal and marine environmental non-profit the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity. He is the head of the organization today and he specializes in coastal and marine sciences, environmental monitoring and management, and community development, and has executed a wide range of projects including resource assessments, association building, environmental rehabilitation, community needs evaluations, as well as pure scientific research for institutions as diverse as the Ministry of Environment of Haiti, the UN. He is Haiti’s most awarded environmentalist and has received the Goldman Environmental Prize.
JEAN WEINER
We’re coming out of one of the worst times for resource exploitation, waste and everything related to that waste of resources, so trying to set the example, especially for my kids, recycling, trying to be reasonable about purchasing things, about where things end up after you’re done using them, just in general being careful about what you do, what impacts there are down the line. Even for them already, they’re 18 and 20 now–What are you going to do to try to protect the planet for your kids? Already trying to put that mindset for them because it’s very difficult for our generation to change the way it has done things for so long, but trying to at least bring that change. Be responsible, be reasonable, think about the impacts.
This interview was conducted by Mia Funk & Phoebe Brous with the participation of collaborating universities and students. Associate Interviews Producer on this podcast was Phoebe Brous.
Mia Funk is an artist, interviewer and founder of The Creative Process & One Planet Podcast (Conversations about Climate Change & Environmental Solutions).