Young Environmental Activists Leading Change in the Dominican Republic

• The Dominican Republic's tourism boom has created significant environmental pressure, with over 7 million tons of annual solid waste and hundreds of open-air dumps polluting coasts and watersheds.
• Three young activists, Ismael Sánchez, Evaristo Jiménez, and Rosángela Araujo, are navigating the tension between national tourism growth and the urgent need for structural waste management reform.
• These activists highlight the critical importance of mental health, community support networks, and technical, evidence-based advocacy over individual sacrifice.

The Context of Tourism and Waste

• In 2025, the Dominican Republic hit a record of 11.6 million visitors, with plans to expand hotel capacity by 10,000 rooms.
• Infrastructure has failed to keep pace with growth, leading to widespread illegal dumping that leaches plastic into marine ecosystems.
• While Law 225–20 provides a regulatory framework for circularity, municipal financing gaps prevent effective implementation of waste management services.

Leading Youth Activists

• Ismael Sánchez: Founder of Upon the Waves, he utilizes technical data and waste mapping to advocate for policy, successfully contributing to the phase-out of polystyrene products.
• Evaristo Jiménez: An activist since age 15 who transitioned from local community cleanups in La Romana to national and international advocacy, emphasizing the necessity of team-building to avoid burnout.
• Rosángela Araujo: Works with Buceo Ecológico RD and Parley for the Oceans, focusing on strengthening existing structures rather than solo projects; she advocates for setting healthy personal boundaries to avoid “environmental guilt.”

Lessons on Activist Sustainability

• Psychological strain, including feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion, is common among young climate defenders.
• Expert advice stresses that “joy is resistance” and that caring for mental health strengthens, rather than weakens, the movement.
• Effective activism requires shifting from individual martyrdom to delegating tasks, seeking professional psychological support, and building collective networks.