Photos courtesy of Rafael Eudes Ferreira
Rafael Eudes Ferreira is a Brazilian chemical engineer, environmental advocate, Break Free From Plastic Movement youth ambassador, and member of the Brazil Zero Waste Alliance. He is attending the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions Conferences of the Parties with GEF support. In a GEF Youth Voices interview, he shared life lessons from his work to connect pollution and social justice, and to work towards a plastic-free future.
How did you get into this line of work?
I got into this line of work through a combination of academic curiosity and a deep concern for environmental and social justice. During the first years of my studies in chemical engineering, I became aware of how pollution, especially from plastics and hazardous chemicals, was impacting both ecosystems and vulnerable communities. That realization pushed me to look beyond the lab and explore how science could influence policy and drive systemic change. Over time, I started participating in advocacy efforts, engaging with environmental movements, and contributing to technical and political discussions on waste and chemical management. It’s been a journey shaped by both my background in science and a strong commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable world.
What does your advocacy work entail, and what do you like about it?
I have been involved in national and international policy discussions on topics of plastic pollution and chemical management, providing technical support in global plastics treaty negotiations, and writing several reports on plastic waste in Brazil and its impacts. I also help to promote sustainable alternatives to polluting waste management practices and I advocate for stronger protections for vulnerable communities, especially youth and their role in creating a more sustainable and just future.
What I enjoy is being able to connect the latest science available with the decision-making process, especially when it helps protect front-line communities and ecosystems. I am also passionate about engaging young people in environmental decision-making and encouraging a move towards positive systemic change based on principles of justice and sustainability.
Has anyone you have met through your work made a lasting impact on you?
Fortunately, I have had the privilege to work with several grassroots leaders and young advocates who have impacted me. One person who impacted me was a youth colleague from Indonesia. She has been advocating on the issues related to plastic waste in her country. Her persistence taught me meaningful change does not always come from the top down. It often starts local, and with the people who are directly and persistently affected. That perspective has shaped how I do my work, always trying to center justice and make a solution that is inclusive.
What life lessons has working on environmental issues taught you?
One of my most valued life lessons is the incredible power of collective action. The times where community members, advocates, scientists, policymakers and workers all come together to address an issue have taught me that we are capable of navigating and resolving situations that appear overwhelmingly unmanageable.
The state of the global environment is concerning. What gives you hope?
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental crises, but being part of this work has shown me that people united around a common cause can spark transformative change. It’s a constant reminder that hope is not passive - it’s built through connection, mobilization, and action.
Additionally, what gives me hope is seeing that there are still member states - especially from the Global South - that are stepping up, showing leadership, and holding firm their position. These countries often experience more intensively the impacts of the triple planetary crisis, yet many continue to advocate for strong, just policies that prioritize people and the planet. Watching them lead with integrity and determination reinforces my belief that a more just and sustainable future is possible, and that meaningful change can - and often does - come from the Global South.
What advice would you give a young person today who is interested in a career related to the environment?
My advice to a young person interested in a career related to the environment is: start where you are, stay curious, and don’t underestimate the power of your voice. The environmental sector is broad; there are scientists, lawyers, campaigners, communicators, organizers and more. Find your place and where your passion meets your skill, and you can make a contribution.
What changes do you hope to see in the world by the time you retire?
By the time I retire, I would like to see a world free from plastic pollution and toxic chemicals. A world in which hazardous chemicals have been regulated with transparency, ensuring the well-being of future generations and the environment. Also, a world where reuse, refill, and alternative product delivery systems are not the exemption, but the new norm.
Therefore, I am hoping this transition is equitable and just. I want front-line communities, waste pickers, Indigenous peoples, and workers from both the formal and the informal economy to be guaranteed safe, just, and dignified livelihoods, and the recognition of their critical contributions to this transition. I also wish to see the meaningful inclusion of young people - who represent 1.8 billion individuals globally - meaningfully included in decision-making. Policy and system approaches based around their knowledge, their rights as peoples of the earth, and the provision of good, sustainable livelihoods is what I want to see.
