On the banks of the Sepik River, a powerful youth-led movement is building momentum—fighting to defend land, water, and culture from the looming threat of deep-sea mining in the Bismarck Sea. With bold murals, grassroots science, and viral social campaigns, young environmental activists are taking the lead where legislation has lagged.
Their message is clear: “Protect the Sepik, protect our future.”
Art as Protest, Culture as Power
In towns like Ambunti, Wewak, and Maprik, walls and canoes have become canvases for resistance. Colourful protest art—often depicting crocodiles (a sacred symbol of Sepik identity) entangled in mining machinery—has flooded local spaces and social media feeds.
“Art speaks louder than anger,” says 19-year-old muralist Alphonse Nami, who leads a community youth collective. “It shows the world what we stand to lose.”
In March 2025, an art and music festival called “Wara i Laik” (The River Lives) drew hundreds, blending dance, storytelling, and climate justice education. The event was live-streamed globally by environmental allies in Australia, Germany, and the Philippines.
Science from the Ground Up
Young activists aren’t just painting walls—they’re gathering data. Backed by local elders and NGOs, youth groups are conducting:
- Water quality testing using community science kits
- Biodiversity surveys along tributaries
- Mapping of ancestral fishing zones
The aim? To create community-owned environmental data that can inform legal resistance and pressure government agencies.
“We’re not just saying no—we’re proving why,” says 22-year-old science student Mareta Dange, who leads a village sampling team near Pagwi.
Digital Mobilisation
Online, the #SaveSepik campaign has gained traction across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, with short videos spotlighting:
- Oral histories of river guardians
- Testimonies from youth leaders
- Time-lapse clips of environmental change
The campaign has reached over 300,000 views across platforms in just three months, drawing endorsements from regional climate activists and musicians.
Resistance Beyond the River
At the centre of concern is the proposed Solwara 1 project, a deep-sea mining initiative off the Bismarck Sea coast. Though previously stalled, renewed exploration licenses have sparked fresh alarm.
Youth leaders argue that river systems and ocean ecosystems are interconnected, and that the consequences of seabed mining—such as toxic sediment plumes and species disruption—pose real threats to both coastal and inland communities.
A Generational Stand
For many of these youth, the battle is about more than just the environment—it’s about land rights, cultural survival, and generational justice.
“We’re fighting not just for the Sepik but for all of PNG,” says activist Jenny Luma, 21, during a village forum in Angoram. “Our ancestors defended this land without science or Wi-Fi. Now we have both.”
Conclusion: A River, A Movement
The Sepik River has always been a lifeline—now, it’s a movement.
Led by youth with paintbrushes, sampling kits, smartphones, and ancestral wisdom, PNG’s next generation is standing strong against extractive threats and calling for a future rooted in balance, respect, and renewal.
Their voice is clear. And it’s rising—like the river itself.
