Climate change advocate meets PM

Prime Minister Mia Mottley met Barbados’ latest social media sensation earlier today.

Eleven-year-old Maria Marshall, a first-former at Harrison College, became a household name earlier this month, when an interview with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actor Orlando Bloom, went viral.

The well-spoken lass from Sheraton, Church Church, was accompanied to today’s meet and greet by her parents, Neil and Sarah Marshall.

Marshall said she was completely surprised her interview had made her famous, but she would use her new-found fame to keep pushing the message that the environment needs protecting.

Mottley, in admiration of the student throughout the process, said Marshall reminded her of Barbadian songbird Rihanna, who also displayed a certain confidence at a young age.

The 11-year-old said she misses normal classes as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, but would continue to come up with ideas and themes to bring recognition of climate change and environmental protection to the fore. (BA)