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19th Sep 2024

50 Youth Climate Leaders Shaping the Future of Environmental Action



Across the globe, young people are taking the lead in addressing the climate crisis, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and a sense of urgency to the movement. From grassroots activism to international advocacy, youth climate leaders are demanding immediate action to mitigate climate change, protect ecosystems, and ensure environmental justice. Here is a look at 50 inspiring youth climate leaders who are at the forefront of the fight for a sustainable future.

1. Greta Thunberg (Sweden)

The face of the global youth climate movement, Thunberg’s "Fridays for Future" protests have inspired millions worldwide to demand climate action.

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2. Vanessa Nakate (Uganda)

A vocal advocate for climate justice, Nakate highlights how African countries are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.

3. Jamie Margolin (USA)

Co-founder of Zero Hour, Margolin is a leading figure in youth climate activism and a strong advocate for government accountability.

4. Autumn Peltier (Canada)

A member of the Anishinaabe tribe, Peltier is a powerful voice for Indigenous rights and clean water advocacy.

5. Licypriya Kangujam (India)

One of the youngest climate activists, Kangujam founded The Child Movement, urging world leaders to take immediate climate action.

6. Jerome Foster II (USA)

Founder of OneMillionOfUs and a White House environmental justice advisor, Foster is leading campaigns for youth voting and climate policy reform.

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7. Xiye Bastida (Mexico)

A co-organizer of the climate strikes in New York, Bastida focuses on the intersections of Indigenous rights and climate justice.

8. Isra Hirsi (USA)

As co-founder of the US Youth Climate Strike, Hirsi brings attention to racial and social inequalities exacerbated by climate change.

9. Luisa Neubauer (Germany)

A prominent figure in Germany’s climate movement, Neubauer is the face of Fridays for Future in the country and advocates for ambitious climate policies.

10. Ayakha Melithafa (South Africa)

Melithafa advocates for sustainable development in South Africa, focusing on renewable energy and environmental justice for marginalized communities.

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11. Dominique Palmer (UK)

Palmer is a leading voice for climate justice in the UK and Europe, advocating for climate policy changes and youth representation in decision-making.

12. Mitzi Jonelle Tan (Philippines)

Tan advocates for climate justice in the Philippines, a country severely affected by climate-related disasters.

13. Disha Ravi (India)

A founding member of Fridays for Future India, Ravi has been a prominent voice for climate activism in one of the world’s most populous nations.

14. Sophia Kianni (USA/Iran)

Founder of Climate Cardinals, Kianni works to make climate information accessible across language barriers, focusing on multilingual climate education.

15. Kevin Mtai (Kenya)

Mtai is a key figure in Fridays for Future Africa and advocates for climate justice and adaptation in Africa.

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16. Helena Gualinga (Ecuador)

Gualinga advocates for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous peoples' rights, emphasizing the impacts of oil extraction on her community.

17. Alexandria Villaseñor (USA)

Founder of Earth Uprising, Villaseñor is dedicated to climate education and policy change, advocating for youth involvement in international climate negotiations.

18. Melati and Isabel Wijsen (Indonesia)

Founders of Bye Bye Plastic Bags, these sisters have led a successful campaign to reduce plastic waste in Indonesia and around the world.

19. Ella Simons (Australia)

At just 15, Simons co-organized Australia’s school strike for climate and is a leading advocate for climate action in the Pacific region.

20. Bruno Rodríguez (Argentina)

A climate activist and Fridays for Future leader in Argentina, Rodríguez focuses on Latin American climate action and equity.

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21. John Paul Jose (India)

Jose advocates for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity, focusing on bridging climate science with activism.

22. Anuna De Wever (Belgium)

De Wever is a leading figure in the Belgian climate movement and has been involved in European-level climate advocacy.

23. Lina Rojas (Colombia)

An advocate for youth climate action and sustainable development in Colombia, Rojas works with international youth coalitions.

24. Mari Copeny (USA)

Known as “Little Miss Flint,” Copeny has been fighting for clean water in Flint, Michigan, and nationwide environmental justice.

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25. Mikaela Loach (UK)

A climate justice activist, Loach focuses on the intersections of climate change, race, and migration, and has a strong online presence advocating for systemic change.

26. Nathan Metenier (France)

Metenier is the founder of Generation Climate Europe and a youth representative in European Union climate negotiations.

27. Sharmaine Chadia (Chad)

Chadia advocates for climate adaptation and resilience in the Sahel region, one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in Africa.

28. George Stevens (UK)

An advocate for sustainable agriculture and climate action in rural communities, Stevens focuses on the intersection of farming and environmental stewardship.

29. Inka Vogt (Germany)

Vogt is a climate organizer in Germany, pushing for greater climate action and systemic changes at the governmental level.

30. Alicia Arango (Costa Rica)

Arango works with youth networks in Central America to address biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in the region.

31. Jocelyn Houghton (Australia)

An advocate for ocean conservation, Houghton focuses on the protection of marine ecosystems and the effects of climate change on biodiversity.

32. Nadia Nazar (USA)

Co-founder of the youth-led group Zero Hour, Nazar combines climate action with artistic expression, focusing on environmental justice.

33. Archana Soreng (India)

Soreng, a member of India’s Khadia tribe, advocates for Indigenous knowledge in climate solutions and emphasizes the role of traditional ecological practices.

34. Jason Gulley (New Zealand)

Gulley focuses on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, working on projects to implement clean energy solutions in the Pacific Islands.

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35. Fionn Ferreira (Ireland)

Ferreira is an environmental scientist and activist who has developed innovative solutions to tackle microplastic pollution.

36. Zoe Mandich (Canada)

Mandich is involved in protecting Canada’s boreal forests and raising awareness about the importance of carbon sinks for climate mitigation.

37. Delphine Kaboré (Burkina Faso)

Kaboré focuses on climate education and sustainable development projects to support vulnerable communities in the Sahel region.

38. Hilda Flavia Nakabuye (Uganda)

Nakabuye is the founder of Fridays for Future Uganda and advocates for climate justice and policy reform in East Africa.

39. Leah Namugerwa (Uganda)

A young climate activist in Uganda, Namugerwa has led tree-planting initiatives and youth strikes for climate action.

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40. Sophie Handford (New Zealand)

Handford co-founded the climate strikes in New Zealand and now works to influence local government climate policies.

41. Elizabeth Wathuti (Kenya)

Wathuti is an environmental activist focusing on tree planting, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture in Kenya.

42. Haven Coleman (USA)

Coleman, a co-founder of the US Youth Climate Strike, focuses on policy reform and mobilizing youth for climate justice.

43. Anna Taylor (UK)

Taylor co-founded the UK Student Climate Network and has been a key organizer of climate strikes across the United Kingdom.

44. Natalie Isaacs (Australia)

Founder of 1 Million Women, Isaacs empowers women to lead climate action through lifestyle changes and sustainability practices.

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45. Laura Hernández (Chile)

Hernández focuses on climate justice and environmental policy reform in Chile, advocating for the protection of vulnerable communities.

46. Finn Harries (UK)

Harries is a filmmaker and activist working to raise awareness about climate solutions and the impact of environmental degradation.

47. Yazmin Kay (USA)

Kay is an environmental strategist who has worked with major climate organizations to promote policy change and youth engagement.

48. Héctor Balderas (Mexico)

Balderas is an advocate for climate resilience and social equity, focusing on Latin American climate issues.

49. Felix Finkbeiner (Germany)

Founder of Plant-for-the-Planet, Finkbeiner is a leading youth advocate for global reforestation efforts.

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50. Alice Pataxó (Brazil)

An Indigenous climate activist from the Pataxó tribe, Alice advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples and the protection of the Amazon rainforest.

51. Ayisha Siddiqa

Ayisha Siddiqa (Pakistan) is a passionate climate activist and co-founder of Polluters Out, who focuses on climate justice and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis, advocating for a future where environmental policies are shaped by youth voices.

These 50 youth climate leaders exemplify the passion, resilience, and determination needed to tackle the climate crisis. Their diverse efforts—ranging from grassroots activism to international policy work—show that the future of the environmental movement is in good hands. They are not only fighting for their own futures but for the health of the planet and generations to come. Their work reminds us that climate leadership is not defined by age but by action.