By Trisha Bala ’22, News Section Editor

Ever since she began her climate strikes in 2018, Greta Thunberg has become a household name. In just 16 months, Greta went from an unknown schoolgirl striking outside the Swedish Parliament to a famous international activist. Greta goes on strike from school every Friday and has inspired many other teens all around the world to join her. Part of the reason that Greta has been so successful is because she is a 17 year old who can express herself and her beliefs extremely well and she has also shown the world that anything is attainable. Fellow 17 year-old activist Xiye Bastida said that she was inspired by Greta because of “The fact that she was 16, and I was 16 as well, and she could do such amazing things and change the world, it made me think we can all do it as well. ” Greta Thunberg proved her belief and dedication to the cause during a heartfelt speech she delivered at the United Nations Climate Conference in which she teared up and spoke of the future. In the many months since she started her climate strike, she has addressed heads of state at the U.N., met with the Pope, sparred with the President of the United States and inspired 4 million people to join the global climate strike on September 20, 2019, in what was the largest climate demonstration in human history. Thunberg continues to lead teens all over through her social media platform and powerful speeches, though she isn’t the only youth activist sparking change. 

Autumn Peltier is another dedicated youth activist at 15 years old. Autumn is from the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario and is a strong water activist. Growing up on a freshwater island in Wikwemikong, Peltier says she had never experienced toxic water, something that stayed with her. Now, Peltier is fighting for water conservation and indigenous water rights. She says she was inspired by her great aunt, Josephine Mandamin, an indigenous activist who walked the shores of all five Great Lakes to raise awareness for water conservation. At the age of 12, Peltier confronted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and told him she was unhappy with his policies on controversial pipeline projects. Trudeau promised her he would protect the water. Peltier rose to great fame after she addressed hundreds of international guests at the UN, where she encouraged the global community to respect the importance of clean water. Peltier said to all the guests,  “We can’t eat money or drink oil.” Like Greta Thunberg, Autumn Peltier is another young activist who is sparking change in the global community today.

Bruno Rodriguez is another youth activist who is speaking out against current policies and issues. Rodriguez is a 19 year old from Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the United Nations Youth Climate Summit, Rodriguez declared that climate change is a “political, economic and cultural crisis of our time.” Rodriguez has organized many school walkouts in Buenos Aires. He  is calling for other young people to fight government complacency and pollution by corporations. Rodriguez said, “We hear that our generation is going to be the one in charge of dealing with the problems that current leaders have created, and we will not wait passively to become that future. The time is now for us to be leaders. Stop the criminal contaminant behavior of big corporations. Enough is enough. We don’t want fossil fuels anymore.” Rodriguez has inspired many young people in Argentina as well as all around the world.

Youth activists are extremely important, as they raise awareness about climate change and connect with other youth activists on a global scale via modern platforms such as social media.  Their voices are being heard and they have proven their dedication to the cause time after time. These youth activists are the organizers of strikes, the voices behind powerful speeches, and the advocates of the future.