Azka Saqib

MA in History and Library Science, Queens College

Campaign: PEAK Coalition

Why are you excited to be part of this fellowship?

I am excited to be a part of this fellowship because it offers the unique opportunity to bridge my policy experience with on-the-ground climate action in New York City communities and gives me a platform to network with the stakeholders. I am also excited to work with the diverse people and team this fellowship brings together. Having worked on environmental legislation with Suffolk County and taught about globalization and climate-driven migration at Stony Brook University, I want to expand on how grassroots organizations translate advocacy into community resilience. This fellowship will allow me to deepen my skills in coalition-building, center frontline voices and connect policy recommendations with lived experience.

What climate justice issue is most important to you and why?

The climate justice issue most important to me is climate-driven displacement and housing vulnerability. Growing up in Pakistan, I witnessed floods and earthquakes displace millions, and I saw how fragile housing systems left marginalized communities at greatest risk. In New York, low-income and immigrant tenants often l

iving in basement apartments, face similar risks from extreme heat, flooding etc. To me, climate justice means ensuring that housing, migration and resilience policies protect the most vulnerable, rather than deepen inequities. This intersection of housing justice and climate action is where I feel I can contribute most.