Hafa ådai!
I na’ån-hu si Kyle Dahilig.
The Color Earth:
I created The Color Earth to help me connect with you and to share my passion and ideas. The Color Earth represents the joys and despairs of my environmental work.
Un dangkulu na Si Yu’os ma’åse, maraming salamat po, kinisou and thank you for visiting!
About me:
I often struggle with finding the right words to describe myself to someone who knows nothing about who I am.
On the outside, I am a third-generation settler of the Philippines and a first-generation college student. I consider Guam to be my only home because nowhere else do I feel a stronger connection with the lands and waters. Contrary to what social studies textbooks share about Guam, I can attest to the fact that Guam is more than a US military base out in the Pacific. We are peoples full of languages, customs, cuisines and lots more.
Of all my favorite things about Guam, its natural beauty tops the list. From crystal, clear waters to breathtaking greenery, Guam provides countless natural adventures. While recognizing Guam’s beauty I should also acknowledge Guam’s challenges and how learning about them came to serve as one of my turning points in my life to step up and demand a better future. Our local government recently approved the construction of a new fossil fuel power plant in my village, we rely heavily on imported food- about 95% of our food is grown outside of Guam, the climate crisis continues to damage our lands and waters and the list goes on. But despite our challenges, I see opportunities to make my home a better place.
My desire to restore and preserve Guam’s environment started in high school when I had planted my first seed. What sprouted afterwards was my curiosity of the climate crisis, how it affects my community and creating opportunities out of it. And in high school, I gathered my friends and established the Lend Earth A Friend club which started programs on recycling, gardening and community outreach. Through this, I not only connected myself with nature but with students from other communities and island leaders. I quickly realized that efforts like these are extremely important, but to initiate monumental change, I would need to involve myself in government. So, I represented my high school in Guam Youth Congress and as the chairman for the committee on land and environment, I pushed for legislation that promoted environmental efforts and reducing plastic waste.
I continue my fight for a future with clean air, water and soil by participating in government at public hearings, publishing letters into local newspapers, volunteering and sharing with my community online. Guided by my three principles: 1) education, 2) mitigation and 3) adaptation, I believe that I will help transition Guam into a future worth fighting for.