The Future Unfolding: Meet the youth who are remaking the world

As the world grapples with the existential threat of climate change, a groundswell of young leaders is rising – audacious, impassioned, uncompromising and respectful in their pursuit of a sustainable future. These young climate activists are not just sounding the alarm; they are actively forging new pathways, reshaping narratives, pioneering solutions, and catalysing societal transformation on a scale previously unimaginable.

Figures like Vic Barrett, Mensa Kwami Tsedze, and Rena Kawasaki, though separated by oceans and cultures, share a common conviction: our planet’s fate hinges on our ability to amplify, hear, and respect youth voices in ways that further mobilise their ingenuity, creativity, potential and hope for the future. Their work transcends borders, weaving a tapestry of resilience, innovation, and strategic hope.

On the frontlines of climate litigation, Vic Barrett, a plaintiff in the groundbreaking Juliana v. United States case, embodies the power of storytelling and empathy in driving tangible action. His involvement with organisations like Generation Green, which fortifies young leadership in the environmental liberation movement across the Global Black Diaspora, underscores a stark truth – climate justice is inextricably linked to our fundamental humanity, a call to care for one another and the world we inhabit.

Across the African continent, Mensa Kwami Tsedze’s initiatives weave an intricate tapestry of environmental stewardship and community empowerment. His vision transcends mere reforestation; it is a blueprint for lasting change, one that harmonises indigenous wisdom with contemporary innovation. From the Mangrove and Beehive Initiative in Sierra Leone, planting 100,000 mangroves and installing 500 beehives, to the Togo Rainforest Reforestation Initiative where Earth Guardians are planting 20,000 endemic trees, Mensa’s projects exemplify the transformative potential of grassroots activism, fortified by intergenerational cooperation and indigenous leadership.

In Japan, Rena Kawasaki’s multifaceted approach defies conventional boundaries. As the nation’s youngest-ever Chief Futures Officer and a driving force behind Earth Guardians Japan, she has catalysed a substantial shift in youth engagement. Initiatives like “Let’s Talk to a Politician,” fostering dialogue between students and policymakers, and art-driven SDG education programs, are shifting the contours of intergenerational engagement in her home country. Her efforts to secure an official youth representative for Japan at the UN are, similarly, redefining the contours of environmental advocacy and amplifying young voices on a global stage.

Emmy Scott, Earth Guardians’  youngest Executive Director, is making waves as a climate youth activist both locally and globally. As a biracial queer woman, Emmy’s journey is fueled by a mission to advance racial and gender equity, break stigmas, and foster larger scale solutions to the climate crisis. With degrees in Environmental Sustainability Studies and Business Management from the University of Northern Colorado, Emmy led as the university’s student sustainability director, driving impactful initiatives and collaborating with organisations like the Black Student Union and African Students United. Her accolades include winning three national ethics competitions, pre-developing a mental health app, and publishing a paper on climate disparities in BIPOC communities. Now, at just 23 years old, Emmy’s role as Executive Director of Earth Guardians amplifies her commitment to empowering youth and advocating for social and climate justice, inspiring the next generation to be trail-blazers in the climate/environmental movement.  

Yet, the impact of these young people extends far beyond individual accomplishments. These young leaders embody a profound paradigm shift – one that challenges the insidious notion that unprecedented change is impossible. They reject the narrative of youth as a singular, monolithic entity, embracing the rich tapestry of perspectives and strategies that catalyse transformative action.

To truly harness the power of this movement, we must shed the simplistic assumptions that often obscure its depth and complexity. We must resist the temptation to view youth as a mere “beacon of hope,” a burden that inadvertently stifles engagement. Instead, we must recognise them as indispensable architects and pioneers, co-creating a world that sustains life for generations to come.

Supporting these changemakers requires a multifaceted approach. It demands active involvement from older generations. It necessitates the provision of resources, mentorship, and access to spaces where young voices can reverberate without constraint or judgement on the basis of youth. And it compels us to channel their experiences into policy forums, ensuring their insights inform decision-making at the highest echelons.

Crucially, it requires embracing the spirit of intergenerational cooperation – a synergy that transcends limitations of age and fosters mutual understanding. As Mensa Tsedze highlights, the wisdom of elders must be respected, they must be consulted even whilst they must engage with the needs and dynamism of young innovators.

In contexts where elders’ blessings are prerequisites to youth engagement, intermediary organisations like Earth Guardians play pivotal roles. They legitimise and resource youth-led initiatives, paving the way for meaningful collaboration while respecting traditional power structures. They provide the crucial scaffolding that allows youth activists to turn their visions into tangible realities on the ground.

At the core of these efforts is the concept of “strategic hope” – an active, engaged hope that empowers action and fosters resilience. Unlike passive hope, strategic hope involves critical thinking, persistent effort towards tangible goals, and a steadfast belief in the potential for revolutionary change.

As we navigate the complexities of the polycrisis, it is evident that our collective future depends on our willingness and effort to take seriously, to support, to amplify and to uplift the voices, visions and work of young climate activists unfolding the future. They are the architects of the new ways we need, the catalysts propelling us towards a life-sustaining paradigm. This generations of thought leaders did not create the crisis we are currently in, but they are certainly forging a path out of it with innovation and impactful solutions and tactics.  

We look forward to having you join us at our upcoming conversation “The Future Unfolding: The people and the stories that are remaking the world” happening this Wednesday, May 15th at 4pm UTC. Joan Diamond will be joined by visionary young climate activists Vic Barrett, Mensa Kwami Tsedze, Rena Kawasaki and Emmy Scott from Earth Guardians to hear their powerful visions, passion, and the ways in which they are nurturing humanity’s transition to a life-sustaining future. Register in advance on zoom here.