The scientist who helped win the fight to protect a sacred piece of the Pacific

A protected lagoon of Tetepare Island, Solomon Islands. Photograph: Wirestock, Inc./Alamy

Scientist Katy Soapi’s earliest memories are of the sea. She grew up on Rendova, a lush island in western Solomon Islands, and life centred around the ocean.

“I remember when the big waves came, we would dive under them and come up laughing on the other side. Being part of those natural elements brought me so much joy.”