Cayman: Protect Our Future Generation Green
Protect Our Future (POF) is the largest youth-led environmental advocacy group in the Cayman Islands, dedicated to empowering the next generation to take meaningful action against climate change and environmental degradation. Founded by passionate youth advocates, POF believes that lasting environmental change begins with education, community, and the courage of young people to lead.
POF’s mission is to equip students with the knowledge, tools, and organizational support needed to drive sustainable change within their schools and communities. Through its flagship Generation Green initiative, POF establishes official student-led chapters within schools, giving young environmentalists the structure and recognition they need to turn their passion into impactful action.
From organizing sustainability campaigns and reducing single-use plastics to shifting school culture toward eco-conscious norms, POF empowers students to become agents of real, lasting change.
POF has now established chapters across 4 schools island-wide with an estimated 180+ active members across the network: Cayman International School | Cayman Prep and High School | First Baptist Christian School | St. Ignatius Catholic School
POF Generation Green – St. Ignatius School Visit:
POF leaders Elise Shelley and Leo Fantasia, along with POF member Zac Griffin, visited St. Ignatius Catholic School on March 27th to support a group of passionate students in strengthening their environmental advocacy group. Previously, the group faced challenges as they were not formally recognized as an official club or organization within their school. They are now operating under the POF Cayman umbrella as part of POF’s Generation Green initiative, giving them a formal structure. This allows them to have expanded opportunities and access to a wider network of over 180 members across the island, apart from POF.
During the presentation, Elise and Leo shared what it means to be part of POF and how Generation Green empowers student-led environmental action. They discussed how recognized status as both a school club and a nonprofit-affiliated initiative allows students to achieve larger- scale, sustainable projects with greater credibility. The St. Ignatius students were also curious about how to apply strategies that have proven successful at Cayman International School (CIS), adapting them to fit in their own school.
Nearing the end of the presentation, during the Q&A session, one student asked how CIS became such an eco-friendly school. Specifically, they wanted to know how a student club, especially considering POF started with a very small unofficial group, was able to create large-scale changes, such as the transition to reusable containers and cutlery, recyclable cups, and paper straws. The leaders responded by saying that once the youth have the passion to drive true change, they become unstoppable. Consistent small changes lead to lasting impact. POF CIS Student Leader Elise Shelley (15) said, “Large shifts aren’t just about actions like replacing plastic with paper or reusable containers, it’s about shifting culture. We focus on normalizing sustainable choices, so they become the easy option. When a school understands why change matters, sustainability becomes part of the school’s identity. Changing school culture is what makes an impact last.”
The new student leader of POF St. Ignatius, Noah Delapenha (18), commented, “We are happy to join Protect Our Future and are looking forward to bringing about real change on the island.”
The visit was an important step for POF and Cayman’s sustainable future by encouraging the expansion of youth-led environmental leadership across Cayman. By equipping more schools with the tools, structure, and support needed to take meaningful action, POF continues to build a generation of young leaders committed to sustainable change.
Looking Ahead: Growing the POF Network:
Since establishing a chapter at St. Ignatius Catholic School, POF Leader Zara Majid, one of the leaders of the Generation Green initiative, has successfully established contacts with three additional schools: Calvary Baptist Christian Academy, Clifton Hunter High School, and Grace Christian Academy, with the goal of establishing new POF chapters in each of these schools within the coming weeks.
This continued growth reflects the growing momentum of youth-led environmental action across the Cayman Islands. Each new chapter brings more young voices, more creative energy, and more community impact to the POF network.
Join the Movement!
POF encourages all schools across the Cayman Islands to explore starting a chapter. Whether you are a student passionate about the environment or a teacher who wants to bring this initiative to your school, we want to hear from you!
To learn how to start a POF chapter at your school, please
reach out to: [email protected] or DM us @protectourfuture.eco
Quote: Zara Majid (16), POF Student Leader:
“Together, we are building a generation of environmental leaders who will shape a more
sustainable future for the Cayman Islands. One school, one chapter, and one young
leader at a time.”
Bio:
Protect Our Future (POF) is a youth-led environmental advocacy group in the Cayman Islands (Cayman International School) dedicated to preserving our islands’ ecosystems as well as educating the public, in hopes of inspiring future generations to foster a sustainable future.
Instagram: @protectourfuture.eco
Hashtags: #OurReefsScream #ReefSafeCayman #ProtectOurFuture #YouthForLegislation #SunscreenBanNow #SaveCaymanReefs
POF
https://www.instagram.com/protectourfuture.eco
