Doha Debates, a top media organization that engages people in conversations about global issues through films, podcasts, debates, and videos, today unveiled a new list of some of the world’s top young climate activists.
The young people were honored as part of Doha Debates’ special #SolvingIt26 project, found here: www.dohadebates.com/solvingit26/
The honorees include five young men and women making a positive difference for African nations, including Uganda.
Amjad Atallah, the managing director of Doha Debates, praised the #SolvingIt26 honorees, saying, “As the earth faces grave climate-related challenges, these young changemakers provide much-needed hope and inspiration. They deserve the world’s admiration, support, and gratitude.”
Media organization Doha Debates has a mission of featuring and celebrating climate activists and innovators whose vision and work inspire hope — and real change.
This year’s honorees include:
Nyombi Morris – Uganda
Nyombi Morris is a 23-year-old climate justice activist from Luzira, Kampala in Uganda. He is also the social media manager of the “Rise Up” Movement.
Among other important issues, Nyombi has pushed for preserving Uganda’s precious Bugoma Forest. Deforestation has taken place at an alarming rate in Uganda, where 63% of forests have been logged in the past 25 years alone, according to the National Forestry Authority.
As part of his work, Nyombi speaks out strongly for ending plastic pollution, promoting tree planting, and pushing climate change curriculum to increase environment awareness among Uganda’s schoolchildren.
Please follow him at @mnyomb1
Shaama Sandooyea – Mauritius
Shaama Sandooyea is a 24-year-old young marine biologist and climate activist from Mauritius, an island nation in East Africa. Shaama creatively inspired worldwide headlines and media coverage when she held the world’s first underwater climate strike, deep in the Indian Ocean, as part of Greta Thunberg’s “Fridays for Future” initiative.
She was photographed scuba diving and holding underwater signs reading “Youth Strike for Climate” and “Nou Reklam Lazistis Klimatik,” Mauritian creole for “We Demand Climate Justice,” raising awareness for the environmental needs for her home nation of Mauritius.
Shaama began speaking out on environmental issues when she was 20 years old. She was concerned about the numerous developmental projects in Mauritius that were destroying habitats and ecosystems, as well as the island’s long dry seasons and flash floods caused by global warming.
Marie Christina Kolo – Madagascar
Marie Christina Kolo is a young climate activist, ecofeminist and social entrepreneur who is passionate about protecting her native Madagascar, an island country off the southeastern coast of Africa.
Marie Christine speaks out about how climate change has caused droughts, flooding, and loss of biodiversity to Madagascar’s important ecosystem.
She is the co-founder of the Indian Ocean Climate Network, a youth network that promotes and encourages youth initiatives regarding climate change in Madagascar, La Reunion, and Comoros islands.
This year, Marie Christina was one of two young people who spoke to the United Nation Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of International Earth Day, and she has also participated in international climate negotiations at the United Nations’ climate conference. Please follow her on Twitter at @KoloMarie
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim – Chad
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is a 37-year-old indigenous woman from the Mbororo people in Chad. The Mbororo are a nomadic group whose flocks and herds have grazed the region around Lake Chad for thousands of years.
Climate change has caused Lake Chad to shrink dramatically, imperiling the indigenous farmers, fishers and herders who rely on the water for their income.
Ibrahim was only 15 years old when she began advocating for indigenous rights and environmental protection. She founded the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), which works to generate income streams for women and protect Lake Chad’s environment, among other issues.
In 2019, she was listed by TIME Magazine as one of 15 women championing action on climate change. Please follow her on Twitter at @hindououmar
Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi – Nigeria
Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi is a 20-year-old climate activist, global teen leader and social entrepreneur who was born in Benin-City and currently lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
Joshua began his environmental activism in 2018, when he became severely allergic to toxic irritants from air pollution. As he learned about his health, he discovered the impact of air pollution on Nigerians’ health and how many thousands of people die each year from pollution-related illnesses.
In 2018, Joshua founded “LearnBlue Global,” a nonprofit for Gen Z students dedicated to environmental clean-up and fighting air pollution, among other causes.
In 2019, he was recognized as one of 100 Most Influential Young Leaders in Nigeria and received the Award of Excellence from the Young Entrepreneurs Summit and Awards.Please him on IG at joshgseyi or on Twitter at @joshgseyi
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