CNMI’s Dr. Isa Arriola named Grist climate and justice leader

Dr. Isa Arriola from Saipan was named as one of 50 global climate and justice leaders by Grist.  

Grist is a non-profit media organization focused on climate solutions.  Dr. Arriola is a cultural anthropologist and was recognized for her work in policy and advocacy related to the impacts of militarization in the Pacific. The professor is also the chair of the community organization Our Common Wealth 670.

She told KUAM News, "So, I actually study and research the topic of militarism or militarization, which is basically the way a society organizes itself around war and war preparation. And that's obviously a very important topic out here, right, especially with our relationship with the United States. And so over the years in the work, I've started to see all of these different environmental connections, right, from forums that we attend on island to seeing how those are connected to the way our land is going to be transformed, to some really bold facts about The Pentagon, for example, how they're the largest institutional emitter of greenhouse gases. And so we're starting to see that this process is taking an environmental toll. And that's the connection. That's one of the biggest connections that we're seeing with the environment."

Arriola said she was honored and surprised by the recognition.