We are excited to introduce the Fall 2024 Peace Boat US Intern Team. The Fall Internship has been focused on a series of events around Climate Week NYC that took place in September, followed by the arrival of the Peace Boat in New York, when on October 16th a large-scale event titled, Climate Camp: Peace Boat took place onboard. To finish out the term the intern team is working towards the annual United Nations Climate Change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan COP 29. 

Tierra Sydnor

Tierra Sydnor is an incoming master’s student at New York University’s Institute of French Studies. Her thesis explores institutional justice within francophone countries and its effects on citizens’ health and well-being, aligning her interests with SDGs #3, Good Health and Well-Being, and #16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Tierra is an avid reader and enjoys cooking in her spare time. She is eager to engage with climate issues on an international stage through her internship at Peace Boat US.

Abilene Mitchell

A Bioeconomy Science Student at the University of British Columbia, Abilene studies biological resources to transform into renewable, environmentally-friendly products that help to drive down plastic use and other forms of pollution. She also has a degree in writing, which she directed in the way of qualitative research, particularly around social issues including environmental justice. 

Abilene is passionate about SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production &  SDG 13 on Climate Action, and believes that public education through platforms like Peace Boat will be paramount in achieving these goals. 

Maria Lujan 

Maria is a graduate student at Columbia University’s Climate School. She is passionate about ocean conservation and climate adaptation. She feels drawn to SDGs 13 on Climate Action & SDG 14 on Life Below Water, but understands the interconnectedness between all environmental and social issues, therefore tries to actively learn about all SDGs.