Making waves: Surfer and environmentalist Pacha Light

Born in the small town of Cotacachi, Ecuador, and raised in Australia, Pacha Light spent her early years in the Andean mountains. Her mother founded an ecological center with Cotacachi's indigenous mayor and local community and met her father while reforesting mangroves in his hometown of Bahia De Caraquez, instilling an ecological consciousness in Pacha from a young age through their environmental activism. Growing up in a simple, self-sustained home in the cloud forest of Intag, she developed a deep connection to the natural world. This is reflected in her name, derived from the Quechua word for Mother Earth – “Pacha Mama”. Indigenous cultures of the Andes have a profound connection with nature, a bond intricately woven into the Quechua language, which is rich with agricultural traditions and ecological knowledge.  

Pacha started surfing at the age of 10 on the Australian Gold Coast, where she began competing at the age of 15 and rapidly ascended in the world of competitive surfing. Despite her success, she felt a calling to protect the planet. In 2020, she left the professional surfing circuit to focus on environmental action, especially related to the ocean, including SurfAid. 

Pacha's dedication to advancing ocean conservation echoes UNESCO’s mission in marine sciences. Through fostering global collaboration, UNESCO aims to enhance understanding of the ocean, its coasts, and its resources, as well as their sustainable management. Her own project, Women of the Sea, highlights the role of women in ocean conservation, showcasing stories of women who maintain profound connections with nature. From the Ama freediving community in Japan to the Haenyeo divers in Korea, Pacha highlights the vital roles women play in sustaining their communities and environments. This resonates with UNESCO's efforts to recognize and empower women’s vital role in environmental conservation, as well as in sustaining communities and ecosystems. 

Travelling has been integral to Pacha’s work, life, and activism. After her father's passing in 2021, she travelled to Ecuador to reconnect with her roots, embrace her cultural heritage, spend time with her extended family and engage with the local surfing community. After winning a national event in Ecuador, her passion for competitive surfing was reignited with a new sense of purpose. She joined the Ecuadorian Women’s surf team to represent her birth country in the ISA (International Surfing Association) World Surfing Games. 

Her journey, from competitive surfing to local environmental activism, is a powerful reminder of the impact an individual can have when combining passion with purpose. Pacha uses her platform to inspire people to adopt environmentally conscious practices and foster a sense of stewardship towards the planet. These awareness raising efforts demonstrate the impact of education in bringing about a personal and societal transformation necessary for sustainable development, a cornerstone of UNESCO’s mission. As a Pathfinder for UNESCO Green Citizens, Pacha will identify projects that could join the initiative, and that inspire the next generation of global citizens to live in harmony with nature. Learn more about Pacha. 

Learn more about UNESCO’s work in Ocean Sciences, Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Education for Sustainable Development.