Young African Climate Change Activists Striving to Inspire A Better Future

Global warming is creating dire conditions and things could become worse soon. Ocean levels are increasing and the seas are warming. We are seeing droughts that last longer and are more extreme. They endanger crops, animals, and freshwater supplies.

Climate change is threatening the richness of life on our planet, from polar bears in the Arctic to sea turtles off the coast of Africa. Climate change poses a danger to the lives of regions, wildlife, and people.

Global warming is estimated to cause roughly 250 000 more deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, primarily due to starvation, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. By 2030, the direct health-related expenses are anticipated to reach between USD 2–4 billion per year.

These issues could become unmanageable for many vulnerable communities. This is the harsh reality that many African communities find themselves in even today. This is why young people from across the continent are standing up to spark conversations and initiatives that can lead to a healthier global community.

These are 5 young Africans championing the movement for lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Vanessa Nakate

Vanessa Nakate has seen firsthand the devastating effects of the climate crisis, especially in her home country, Uganda. Engulfed with concern for people living in the most vulnerable areas, she decided to speak out.

In January 2019, Nakate launched a lone strike against inaction on the climate catastrophe. She was the only demonstrator outside the Ugandan Parliament’s gates for months. Other youth eventually began to respond to her social media requests for people to assist attract attention to the condition of the Congolian rainforests.

Vanessa is responsible for founding the Africa-based Youth for Future Africa and the Rise Up Movement out of Africa. Nakate was one of just a few young campaigners to speak at the COP25 meeting in Spain in December 2019.

Lesein Mutunkei

Lesein is a Kenyan youngster who was inspired to act after he was educated on the horrific effects of pollution and deforestation at school. Interestingly, he has discovered a joyful method to reforest by integrating it with his love of the game of football.

He created Trees4Goals at the age of 12 with a simple mission: to plant 11 trees for every goal he scored. He has already planted over 1,000 trees, owing to the fact that he is quite a skilled footballer.

Mutunkei has also worked to persuade schools and football teams to be more environmentally friendly. He hopes to spread his campaign across Africa.

Nkosilathi Nyathi

Nkosilathi Nyathi is a Zimbabwean environmental activist who was born in 2003. He began lobbying at the age of ten and pushes for the participation of youth in decision-making positions.

He believes that if youngsters are not infused into decision-making processes, their efforts towards climate justice would be futile. Nkosilathi campaigned for increased climate action and youth involvement from international leaders during the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid.

Ineza Umuhoza Grace

Ineza, who had been made aware of the impacts of climate change in her home, Rwanda, at a young age, became the founder and director of The Green Fighter, a women-led non-profit organization dedicated to increasing youth activism.

She is also the co-creator of the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition. Both groups create creative initiatives to offer Rwandan youth a stronger role in the development of sustainable policy.

Nyombi Morris

Morris has been extremely devoted to environmental protection for some years now, especially after learning that Uganda is very prone to major climatic catastrophes and that the floods that uprooted his family were caused by climate change.

Aside from planting trees and reducing plastic waste, the climate activist is also working to ensure that everyone has the right to free expression.

Yared Abera

Yared is the creator and director of The Young Print, an Ethiopian civil society organization that creates and supports creative youth ideas and projects. Yared is also a Climate Hub Ambassador for African Youth. Keep up to date with their efforts.

Tackling climate change one vehicle at a time

Led by climate champions, Adetayo Bamiduro, Chinedu Azodoh, and Guy-Bertrand Njoya, MAX has also taken the charge to decarbonize African roads by manufacturing and deploying zero-emission electric vehicles that can rival internal combustion engines of the same variety. MAX is currently producing its third-generation electric two-wheeler, The MAX- M3 and is working on producing electric tricycles, also known as tuk-tuks.

It has become increasingly important for green solutions to take centre stage

and securing the future of Africans will take a collective effort and it is inspiring to see young people taking the charge of creating the Africa they want.