Through the Lens of Sabine Cuesta
December 8, 2025By Keren-happuch Garba, Bow Seat Alumni Advisor & 2024 Future Blue Youth Council member
The Alumni Spotlight Series is a celebration of Bow Seat’s alumni as they continue to make waves in the world. This series aims to highlight their journeys, showcase their creative and environmental work, and inspire our Bow Seat community with stories of impact and growth. Readers can expect monthly insightful interviews, personal reflections, and updates on how these young changemakers are using art, advocacy, and innovation to shape a more sustainable future.
Sabine Cuesta is a Bow Seat alum from the 2024 Future Blue Youth Council and 2023 Ocean Awareness Contest. She loves hiking and photography (especially of diverse birds and insects that can be found in Ontario, Canada!), and has always been passionate about promoting a healthy relationship between humanity and nature. Beyond writing articles about environmental issues in her school newspaper and participating in her community’s tree-planting initiatives, Sabine can be found reading, singing karaoke, or crocheting sea creatures.
Below is our transcribed interview:
What environmental or social issues are you passionate about?
As a photographer, I am constantly searching for little pockets of beauty in the everyday, and have learned the importance of appreciating without disturbing. But when it comes to sustainability, humanity as a whole falls tremendously short. Where I once used to see forests on the edge of the suburbs, I now see the land cleared for new development. Where I once used to see a kaleidoscope of monarch butterflies in the fall, I now only catch the rare glimpse. This is why I care so much about promoting sustainable coexistence with nature and the issues that go hand-in-hand with preserving the beauty of a world so often exploited by humans: plastic pollution, overfishing, deforestation, declining biodiversity, and so much more. I hope that in taking action and spreading awareness—especially through art, as Bow Seat does—we can make a real difference in tackling these problems.
What sea creature are you most similar to and why?
I resonate with hammerhead sharks, because we’re both in a constant state of motion and want to see as much of the world as possible!
How did you get introduced to Bow Seat, and what activity did you participate in during your term at Bow Seat?
When I was 14, I came across the Ocean Awareness Contest prompt, “The Funny Thing About Climate Change”, and I was instantly drawn to the idea that spreading awareness about serious topics doesn’t have to evoke a sense of dread. It was a new perspective to me, as I’d often seen climate advocacy rely on guilt, fear, or sadness to make people understand the gravity of the situation. But reading that prompt, I had so many ideas for how to artistically show climate change as something tackleable, inspiring hope without demeaning the importance of the cause. From there, I spent weeks writing, recording, and editing my “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” parody to submit to the performing arts category. I didn’t know my journey with Bow Seat would continue through the Future Blue Youth Council, but I’m so grateful to have been able to take my advocacy to a new level by joining such a passionate and amazing team, and getting to mentor young environmental leaders both in Canada and the Philippines.
Could you describe your experience as an FBYC member during your term at Bow Seat?
From the very first meeting, I knew the Bow Seat team was unlike any team I’d been on before. We all came from different corners of the world and had vastly different life experiences, but it was easy to feel connected, and meetings were a comfortable space to learn and share perspectives. The first Saturday of the month always brought something to look forward to: from discovering environmental art and hearing from insightful guest speakers to sharing updates on the Fellowship Grant (now the True Blue Fellowship) projects we were mentoring.
Beyond meetings, I loved how the experience of being an FBYC member is what you make of it. Personally, I enjoy research and writing, so I had the opportunity to write articles about topics that interest me. But that didn’t limit my ability to help with making Blue Fact of the Week posts or setting up the FBYC 2024 mosaic. Overall, it was an especially rewarding experience, and I’m thankful to be part of such a vibrant alumni community at Bow Seat.
Photograph by Sabine Cuesta
If you could return to Bow Seat, what would you like to change or do differently?
If given the chance, I would love to be more involved in the True Blue Fellowship and mentor another inspiring environmental leader. Keeping up with and contributing to the fellowship projects was one aspect of FBYC that provided a continual renewal of hope for me. There’s something special about seeing passion for the environment unite so many, and through collaborating on creative advocacy projects in this way, it was incredible to have had this opportunity to maximize my impact beyond my immediate community.
In what ways has Bow Seat impacted your life and career?
Besides the tangible ways Bow Seat has opened up opportunities to participate in fulfilling projects and offer support through mentorship, being part of the organization has helped me gain a more global perspective. Getting to hear from and work alongside people who have grown up in such different places and who have their own special relationship with nature is eye-opening, especially surrounding the inequity of which communities are hit the hardest by climate change impacts.
It was also an unparalleled learning experience that equipped me with numerous skills, including collaborating across time zones, making meaningful connections in a virtual space, and supporting advocacy through creativity. My time at Bow Seat has helped shape how I see and interact with the world, and it is an experience I will take with me in every future endeavour.
Photograph by Sabine Cuesta
Since your term at Bow Seat, how have you made a difference in the world around you?
Giving me a taste of taking on a role primarily for advocacy, Bow Seat inspired me to apply for other advocacy positions in my community. Notably, I was elected to the position of student trustee on my school board, which has given me a platform to represent the voices and perspectives of youth among educational decision-makers. Through this role, I have been able to elevate the concerns that matter to the often underrepresented members of the school board community, and I particularly focus on eliminating the barriers to equal access to opportunities.
What advice would you give to young people in ocean conservation?
We face problems on an unfathomably wide scale, and it can be daunting to tackle what seems almost out of our hands. But what allows us to make a difference is narrowing our focus and knowing that while we can’t single-handedly save the world, we can still combat massive issues by doing our part: from advocating for legislation locally, doing hands-on work in a specific area of need in our communities, and spreading awareness in a way that promotes action. In a world that tends toward resigned indifference, your passion and the fact that you truly care are powerful. Change doesn’t always come quickly, but remember that you can and do make a difference.