When Zeinab Salehiankia moved from Tehran, Iran, to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, to attend Memorial University, she was surprised by the friendliness of Newfoundlanders.
“When I came here two years ago, I wondered why people were saying hello to strangers,” says Zeinab. “On the street, Newfoundlanders are always smiling and happy to greet you. So I got into the habit of saying hello to strangers too.”
While adjusting to her friendly new province and Environmental Science Master’s program at Memorial University, Zeinab discovered a new interest—one that hadn’t been available in the bustling city of Tehran.
“I picked up this habit from Newfoundlanders—people here really like to be in nature. My partner Erfan and I now like to explore different trails because we get to see nature like ponds, woodlands, and big lighthouses. It’s beautiful and stunning here.”
Zeinab Salehiankia enjoys a peaceful hike on one of Newfoundland’s many scenic trails. Since moving from Tehran to St. John’s to study at Memorial University, she’s embraced the local love for nature. (Photo submitted)
But a few months into her studies, Zeinab was surprised to learn that Iran and NL have one major thing in common—both are deeply involved in the oil and gas industry.
“When I realized that oil and gas is the major industry here, I was sad and worried about the beautiful ocean, woodlands and nature that oil and gas impact.”
Zeinab’s concerns stem from an experience she had as a child, during a time when Iran was facing a severe drought.
“We spent weekends at our cabin near Tehran, in a beautiful village,” she recalls. “My siblings and I used to swim a lot in our pool. One day, my father told us we couldn’t go there anymore because the water shortage had affected our cabin. That made me so sad—it felt like a big part of my childhood was suddenly gone.”
It wasn’t until adulthood that Zeinab connected this personal loss to the broader problem of countries like Iran and Canada investing in industries that create carbon pollution and contribute to climate change.
Offshore oil rigs, like this one, are common in both Iran and NL. For Zeinab, this shared reliance on oil and gas raised concerns about carbon pollution and its impact on nature. The workers pictured on the right are Iranian oil workers (Photos courtesy of Abdolhassan Fazeli).
Newfoundlanders Anxious about Island Life
Zeinab has been an active volunteer in both Iran and NL. One role in St. John’s led to a job as a community canvasser with Neighbours United, where she connected with local residents about what matters most to them.
Many residents she’s spoken with are concerned about the changes they’re seeing around them.
“People are worried about the extreme weather—more rainfall and flooding. Since most cities in Newfoundland are close to the ocean, many homes are affected by floods. They’ve told me winters are milder than before, but the weather is more extreme overall.”
Younger people also worry if the island will stay livable. Zeinab spoke with a woman in her 20s whose family lost their home in Hurricane Fiona seven years ago.
“That experience made her very sad and worried. It affected her mental health because her family lost their house and cabin. She was deeply concerned.”
Many people Zeinab connected with are concerned about what continued investment in the oil and gas industry means in the face of changing weather patterns.
“Many Newfoundlanders believe that oil and gas brings job opportunities and prosperity—there are a lot of benefits. But on the other hand, they’re worried,” says Zeinab.
Many older Newfoundlanders fear NL could face another crisis if oil and gas jobs vanish.
“Seniors are concerned about the economy because they’ve witnessed the shift from the cod fishery to oil and gas,” says Zeinab. “One resident told me, ‘I remember those dark days when nobody worked and we were all stressed. We don’t want to see those days again.’”
Zeinab goes door to door in St. John’s as a community canvasser with Neighbours United, listening to residents’ concerns about extreme weather, rising ocean levels, and the future of island life in NL. (Photo courtesy of Daniel Griffen)
Zeinab also found that many people are worried about the rising cost of living.
“People share concerns about higher gas prices and grocery costs,” she says. “I spoke with a father of two who mentioned the rising cost of diapers. Young people are also concerned about housing—I talked to a 23-year-old who said it’s heartbreaking and stressful to think he might not be able to buy a house.”
People have told Zeinab they can’t afford air conditioners—once unnecessary in NL’s mild summers, and now a prized household purchase. Zeinab has also felt the rising cost of living since moving to St. John’s.
“I found a one-bedroom for $900, which was a lot for me as an international student. It wasn’t decent, so we left. A year later, prices had jumped to $1,300. My partner and I had to get help from our parents—it was too much to afford.”
Given that the average hourly wage in NL is below the national average—and among the lowest of all provinces and territories—this jump is significant.
While many people Zeinab spoke with agreed that moving away from oil and gas is a good idea, they can’t always imagine how it would work.
“I’ve heard from residents who are worried. One man told me he doesn’t like oil and gas but isn’t sure what comes next—and he doesn’t see a solid plan.”
Amid rising costs and uncertainty, Zeinab listens to her neighbours and seeks solutions. As a community organizer, she brings optimism to conversations on energy, resilience, and a cleaner future for NL. (Photo submitted)
Weathering Change, Together
Hearing these fears from local residents motivates Zeinab to work with her neighbours to do their part to reduce pollution and tackle climate change. She understands that transitioning away from oil and gas isn’t something that will happen overnight, but she hopes residents new and old grasp how special their home is and see its true economic potential.
“We need a diverse economy that doesn’t rely on just one sector—a different kind of economy,” says Zeinab.“This island is beautiful, and there’s great potential for tourism, as well as industries like wind or hydrogen energy.”
Zeinab believes NL can balance good jobs with addressing the root causes of carbon pollution.
“Developing a strong and solid plan for this transition away from oil and gas is essential,” Zeinab says. “The government and MHAs must have this plan in place so people can feel confident about the transition. It should include training programs to ensure workers in the oil and gas industry aren’t negatively impacted and can find good jobs during the shift.”
For Zeinab, building these connections is not just a job —it’s about belonging too.
“As a newcomer, I like connecting with the community and talking with local people. St. John’s is my second home. I’m becoming part of this community—I’m learning about people’s history and their stories.”
