Episode 1: Youth climate activism in the footsteps of Wangari Maathai



How can we get urgent climate action that is also just? This is the question we explore in the new series of the People vs Inequality podcast: climate justice NOW!

We are excited to kick off episode 1 with one of the most inspiring climate activists of today. Elizabeth Wathuti shows that youth climate activism is not new, as planted her first tree at age 7 and turned anger into action by founding the Green Generation Initiative in 2015. Inspired by the late environmentalist and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai she shows what it means to nurture care and leadership of young people, whilst ‘cracking down the system’ that is working against them. We hear why she called on world leaders ‘to open their hearts’ at COP26 and how she plans to make sure they deliver for climate justice – for her fellow Kenyans, for Africa and for the world.

It was such a pleasure to speak to Elizabeth: inspiring, moving, humbling. She really connects local, practical action with young people with putting pressures on leaders at the global stage. She is endlessly ambitious and that's exactly what we need. She knows where she comes from and where she wants to go. And what that means for all of us that are worried about the climate crisis, and for those that are not yet feeling the pain. Love, pain, compassion and selfless leadership: we need it all for a more just world. And action of course.

We invite you to join in on this journey, starting with Elizabeth's story for climate justice (now!).

Listen now to episode one: Youth climate activism in the footsteps of Wangari Maathai - a conversation with Elizabeth Wathuti.

PS: To find out more about Elizabeth Wathuti and her work check out:

Elizabeth Wathuti COP26 World Leaders Summit Speech :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j73LIu66ojQ

Green Generation Initiative website:
https://greengenerationinitiative.org/

Wangari Maathai Foundation website:
https://wangarimaathai.org/ 



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