At the Cannes Lions, Natalie shared her concerns about the forecasted weather conditions and their devastating toll on places like her ancestral homelands. She calls on the international community, as well as the brands and business leaders in the audience, to step up and provide the support and resources needed to protect these frontline communities. Natalie also reflected on the individual actions we all must take, drawing on her own experience as a longtime advocate for sustainable living. Her passionate plea for urgent, collective action serves as an inspiring call to arms in the fight against the climate crisis.
As someone with family from the vulnerable island nations of Dominica and St. Lucia, what are your thoughts on the dire predictions we're seeing for the future climate?
Natalie Emmanuel: It's truly alarming to see the projections for what the weather and climate could look like in just a few decades. My family is from Dominica and St. Lucia, and these small island nations are already bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. They are incredibly vulnerable to rising sea levels, intensifying storms, and other extreme weather events.
The forecast we heard earlier, with things like 94% of children affected by heatwaves and trillions in disaster costs, is absolutely devastating to think about. These are places that contribute so little to global emissions, yet they stand to lose so much. It's heartbreaking and infuriating.
What kind of support do you think is needed from the international community to ensure a safe and secure future for places like Dominica and St. Lucia?
Natalie Emmanuel: Policy change is absolutely essential. We need to see real, meaningful action from world leaders to address the root causes of climate change and provide the resources and infrastructure these vulnerable communities need to adapt and thrive.
These small island nations simply don't have the means on their own to withstand the impacts they're facing. The global community has a moral obligation to step up and support them. Whether it's funding for disaster relief, investment in renewable energy, or support for climate adaptation - we can't leave these places behind. I'm lucky that I'm still able to visit my family in these beautiful, vibrant places. But I worry about the future generations who may not get to experience that. We have to do everything we can to protect these communities and ensure they have a livable future.
What would your message be to the brands, marketers, and business leaders in the room about the role they can play in addressing the climate crisis?
Natalie Emmanuel: My message is that we're all in this together, and we all have a part to play. Brands and businesses need to step up and make authentic, meaningful commitments to climate action. This isn't just about saving the planet - it's about securing the future for our children and generations to come.
I try to do my part as an individual by making sustainable choices, like being plant-based. But the scale of this crisis requires all hands on deck. Brands need to leverage their platforms and resources to drive awareness, shift behaviors, and implement real solutions. Whether it's investing in renewable energy, rethinking supply chains, or using their voice to advocate for policy change - there are so many ways the business community can be a catalyst for progress. We have to approach this with the same urgency and determination as we would any other existential threat. The future is in our hands, and we owe it to places like Dominica and St. Lucia, and to all our children, to get this right. We have to be the change we want to see.