For Fatou Kiné Gueye, the MPA of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), protecting the environment is more than just a passion. It is a mission rooted in heritage and wants a better future.
Growing up in Senegal, Gueye developed a deep connection to the ocean and a desire to serve her community. Her experience in environmental consulting has led her to look to the need for stronger leadership and policy frameworks in her home country and pursue a career in environmental policy.
In the conversation below, Gueye shares highlights from her MPA-ESP program, her perspective on climate action, and the ambitions she holds for the future.
What has your interest in environmental and climate policy sparked?
Senegal is a big part of my identity and I always feel deeply connected to my home. Growing up, I was captivated by the environment. My father, who has a deep knowledge of agriculture, played a major role in shaping that interest. My sister and I thought a lot about how it would help the community that sparked my passion for environmental issues.
Initially, I wanted to work in marine conservation because of my love for the ocean. However, when I worked as an environmental consultant in Senegal, I realized that our country has great potential and resources, but lacked the leadership and structural systems needed to effectively manage them. The tools and policies needed are simply not in place. This has led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. I knew I needed to understand science at a fundamental level that would help me design policies that reflect that understanding.
How did your time at SIPA promote your interests? What surprised you most about the program?
Shipa shows that you don’t need to limit yourself to one area. Environmental justice, energy, water and ocean-related issues can all be explored within the same space. It is not just about studying these topics, but also about applying them, bringing different communities to the table and working towards meaningful change.
Although SIPA is very diverse, I have noticed a lack of expression from the African community. That being said, the level of humanity I have experienced here is exciting. My classmates bring about such a diverse academic and professional background, and the diversity of perspectives is a surprising discussion.
What are the biggest lessons you learned about climate change at SIPA?
One of the most eye-opening classes I’ve taken is dealing with climate change at all levels of government. It completely changed the way I think about climate action. I didn’t understand what the issues of the political situation were like. It’s not enough to have all the scientific data from the world if you don’t understand the political reality that shapes decision-making. This class shows that effective climate action requires both scientific knowledge and political awareness.
What are your favorite parts of the MPA-ESP program?
cohort. I love how diverse our group is. Some of my classmates have financial, government and consulting backgrounds, but I came straight out of the faculty. The program provided the guidance you needed, and conversations with your peers were invaluable. My second favorite part is my workshop. Working together Louise Rosen Designing different parts of real-world law and program management helped me understand how law can be enforced.
How do you plan to use the skills you learned at SIPA to advance your career? What kind of climate issues do you want to focus on in the future?
I would like to focus on policy analysis, whether it is in the private or public sector. After gaining experience, I plan to go home. In the West, sustainability and climate action is in the implementation phase, but once we return to our hometown, we have not begun completely. It is important to me to take what I learned here and help promote change in Senegal.
We also want to focus on environmental justice. There are so many issues that make me irritate, but what stands out is plastic waste. During my research, I learned how developed countries ship waste to poor countries. That’s an unsettling reality. This led me to write essays outlining what the Global Plastics Treaty would look like.
I am also deeply interested in working on environmental colonization. Many countries most affected by climate change are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. But they are often treated not as frontline communities facing the worst outcomes, but as merely other stakeholders. We would like to highlight these disparities and promote fairer and more equitable climate solutions.
