From mining gold to growing green

Regina Kewa left a 20-year career in the mining industry, to instead protect rainforests in Papua New Guinea with Cool Earth. This is her story.

In her work with a mining company, Regina had supported rainforest communities impacted by mining activities – including those displaced from their original land. But after 20 years, Regina decided to make a bold leap and join Cool Earth in directly protecting rainforests and supporting communities. 

She now helps communities ward off the mining and logging industries and, instead, empowers people to protect their land and traditional lifestyles. Today, Regina leads Cool Earth’s work in Papua New Guinea, helping five partner communities improve their livelihoods while ensuring their rainforests thrive. 

“I used to do a lot of sustainable projects for mining-impacted communities. On the other side of the coin, I wanted to know what the NGOs were doing, so I joined Cool Earth,” Regina relates. “With Cool Earth, it’s very interesting because our programmes are focused on local people, believing in them as the key to forest conservation,” she adds. 

Mining’s toll on healthy rainforests 

In Cool Earth’s rainforest communities, life flourishes. Towering trees, lush gardens, and vibrant wildlife create a sustainable way of life. Families harvest produce, sell it in markets, and receive unconditional cash support, all while protecting their forests. 

Mining-impacted communities, on the other hand, face a grim reality. Forests have vanished, leaving barren gardens and polluted rivers. Wildlife has disappeared, and people often struggle to rebuild their lives after being displaced. “You’re trying to rebuild and bring those things back, but I don’t know when that’s going to happen,” Regina explains. 

Decades ago, decisions to allow mining were made without understanding the long-term consequences. Now, these communities are slowly replanting trees and working to restore what was lost, but it’s an uphill battle. 

A glimmer of hope 

Regina’s work with Cool Earth has reshaped her outlook. “Working with Cool Earth has had a big impact on me,” she says. “I’ve come to see the importance of trees, birds, and rivers. I have the power of influence, and I tell my people who are also affected by the mine to plant trees for future generations.”