Young climate activists demand action and inspire hope
The future belongs to young people. And they are taking climate action now.
As the impacts of climate change intensify with each passing year, more and more young people are joining the movement for positive change. By taking grassroots and community action, they are leading the discussion, spreading awareness and motivating others.
UNICEF spoke to youth climate activists from on how climate change has affected them and what they’re doing to fight it. They shared their motivations and experiences, encouraging others to take climate action.
Enkhuun, Mongolia
Enkhuun Byambadorj is an environmental rights activist living in Ulaanbaatar, a city with some of the most toxic air due to coal burning. In winters smog can spike to 27 times the safe level. She co-founded the non-profit Breathe Mongolia to demand cleaner air. Their petition demanding action on air pollution led to a public hearing in parliament.
“It’s all about inter-generational trust building.”
Michael, Sierra Leone
Michael Nabieu is a farmer from Sierra Leone. When floods devastated his family farm he had to interrupt his education. He decided to explore advocating for climate solutions and co-founded a youth-led organization that supports sustainable farming through improved seed and food preservation along with composting.
“Climate change can only stop with our collective action.”
Theodora, Greece
Theodora Kosmopoulou is a 17-year-old whose town is home to one-third of Greece’s heavy industry which impacts the quality of the surrounding sea water. When it became harder for her to swim in the sea, she decided to speak out for change. She began to advocate against climate change and has since designed award-winning projects on disaster preparedness.
“We do deserve to live in a planet that allows us to reach our full potential.”
