Plastic waste is one of biggest problems the world is facing now, contributing a larger percentage of marine pollution, land degradation and exacerbating climate change. However, some citizens around the world are volunteering their time and energy to making sure our streets, rivers, beaches, oceans, parks and surroundings are free of plastic and other solid waste. They are people who have signed up to PlasticBusters’ Adopt The World initiative and are making a great difference to the preservation of their respective areas and countries. As part of our Unsung Environmental Heroes series, today we feature Romario Valentine, from Durban, South Africa.

Tell me about yourself, the place where you live, and what you do?

My name is Romario Valentine from Durban, South Africa. I am 9 years old, an ornithophile and an environmentalist. I clean the beach weekly and help endangered birds. I also paint endangered birds and use pollutants to make eco art.

What inspired you to get involved?

When I was 6 years old, I was an orca in a school play. I did research with my mother on the internet and discovered the negative impact of pollutants on marine and seabird life. There are only 74 Southern Resident Killer Whale’s which makes me extremely sad. I decided to take action and start a “Save Our Ocean” project.

Was it a gradual journey or an instant shift?

It was a gradual journey. I loved nature and the environment from the day I could walk. My ocean activism started on the 28th of July 2017.

What has been your biggest success in your activism?

I have cleaned the beach over 150 times and planted 24 trees on 4 continents via online tree organisations. I raised funds for 900 endangered birds at Umgeni River Bird Park in Durban during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown via BackABuddy. In September last year, I became the youngest Ambassador for Ocean Sole, Kenya. They have recycled over 750,000 flip flops. Which Is super amazing!

What is the biggest challenge in your activism?

It can be challenging trying to manage school, sport, and my artwork but mum does a great job at managing my schedule.  I create paintings of endangered birds. I mainly use Winsor and Newton oil and acrylic paint. The quality is awesome however the products and my other art items can be expensive.

I am young and there are so many projects I would like to support but are out of my reach due to lack of funding. For now, raising awareness of things close to my heart will allow people in better positions to support those organisations which are helping wildlife conservation and the environment.

What has been the most rewarding part?

Whenever I visit my local bird park, the birds tweet and flap their wings for me. It makes me happy. I think they know I am doing it for them.

How has your involvement in this project impacted the rest of your life? Have your habits/opinions changed?

I noticed not many adults or children are aware of the impact of climate change and the true value of our biodiversity. Covid-19 made me realise how important oxygen is, therefore I have also started planting trees since August 2020 and a plant called Spekboom, sometimes called Elephant Bush. 

How has it impacted your relationship with yourself and your relationship with the planet?

I have a vision to encourage children to get involved in helping the environment. We can help the planet if we work together and do what we can even if it is something small. Every little effort goes a long way.

Have you involved others in your area on this noble cause of looking after our planet?

Yes, some of my friends and random beach goers join me on my beach cleans. I once had a 2-year-old boy stop playing and copy me when he saw me picking up cans. That is when I realised children as small as him can be taught to help the environment.

What is one small-effort big-impact thing that people can do to make a difference?

People should stop littering the environment, recycle, reuse and plant trees. 

What is your favourite place on Earth and why do you love it?

I have two, being with my parents. My second is the ocean. I feel connected to the sea. It is my magical place. 

Who are your role models and why?

My parents. My mother is my best friend, we do everything together, singing and play games. She teaches me to be optimistic, benevolent to people and nature. She supports me in everything I do, she was with me when I did my first beach clean. She taught me art from the age of 5 and buys all my art supplies. She teaches me science; this helps me better understand the environment and biodiversity. My father is my biggest motivator and encourages me to be a champion in whatever I do, especially in sport and to keep loving wildlife and the environment.  

I also admire President Barack Obama, he looks like my dad, he helps people and cares about the environment. Those are qualities of a great leader. He makes jokes and smiles in his speeches. I can be funny too. I like the feeling of happiness in my heart. 

I am a huge fan of Lewis Hamilton, the F1 driver. He reminds me of myself. I work hard in everything I do, and I love sport. You need a lot of mental strength to be a champion in sports. Lewis is raising awareness of global warming. I saw him cleaning the beach online and I hope one day he will clean the beach with me. He is involved in Extreme E, a motor sport racing competition. They are highlighting the effects of climate change in 5 countries. I think all the teams participating are doing a great job to race for climate change. 

There is Professor Wangari Maathai. Her organisation Green Belt Movement has planted over 50 million trees. That is incredible. She cared about women and paid them for planting trees. She had a good heart and has left a wonderful legacy. I wish I had met her.

President Nelson Mandela, he cared for children and the environment.

I also admire Sir David Attenborough’s dedication to wildlife and nature. 

What do you think is the biggest threat to our planet?

I think the biggest threat is human behaviour. Climate Change is real. The signs are there already, but we can slow it down if every citizen of the world does their part for the environment.

What advice would you give to young/people who want to make a difference in the way that you have?

My advice is, you can make a huge difference by planting trees and picking up litter.  

What’s coming up for you in 2021 and beyond? What are you excited about right now?

I feel 2021 is going to be one of my great years of achievement. 

I am currently working with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Germany, for their Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June 2021. They are part of the Great Green Wall initiative and aim to regenerate the Sahel Region and Sahara Desert areas which are affected by Climate Change and Land Degradation. This can help combat famine, create jobs, and restore biodiversity’s habitats that have been destroyed by deforestation.  

End of May, I aim to create a reforestation fundraiser for my 10th birthday by planting Acacia trees via Zeitz Foundation, Kenya and to assist Birds of Eden, in Cape Town for abandoned African Grey Parrots and protection of Knysna Turaco Birds. African Grey Parrots are critically endangered like the rhino and the Knysna Loerie’s habitats are being destroyed due to deforestation. Something needs to be done urgently!

I have a feature in Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Lydia Hall’s book "What a Wonderful World" as a young environmentalist and earth shaker. It will be released on 19th August 2021. It can be pre-ordered from Waterstones. She is also the author of Blue Planet II, with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough. I am honoured to be included among fellow inspirational eco warriors.

I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on my journey. A visionary believes it must be done. I will continue my eco adventure and beyond. I want to be the voice for the birds that cannot speak for themselves. To protect the oceans and plant as many trees as I can. I want to be a champion of the earth.

If you would like to follow Romario on Twitter, look for @ArtistRomario.

Would you like to join Romario in this noble cause of caring for our environment and start making a difference in your community and the world? Then please visit www.adopttheworld.org or click below and sign up today!

About the Author: Based in Malawi, Deogracias Benjamin Kalima is PlasticBusters’ ambassador for the Sub-Saharan Africa region and one of our Senior Journalists. He is a solutions journalism expert with 6 years experience generating content for online news sites. He is also a social science researcher with eleven years experience having worked for various research organizations including a stint with Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (University of Amsterdam). LinkedIn