Climate change is altering the way we view the world. Because of the dire nature of the climate and the ways in which our planet is suffering due to pollution, toxicity and other things, the global community is in need of desperate measures to protect and reverse its condition.
Here are a few young Black activists who are the blueprints to follow in the fight for environmental justice and climate change. We salute these individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocacy on behalf of the planet and its betterment.
Dominique Palmer
Based in the U.K., Palmer was recently named to Forbes' 100 UK Environmentalists List. She co-organized a concert series called Climate Live, which brought communities together to learn about the importance of conservation and climate change. A storyteller and public speaker, Palmer is also a member of the HERO U.K Climate Justice Circle and the UN Women’s Feminist Action Coalition for Climate Justice with Fridays for Future MAPA. She delivered a riveting address at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which put her on the map as one to watch and listen to. As a model, she is passionate about sustainable fashion and veganism as well.
Jerome Foster II
Foster is the youngest White House's Environmental Justice Advisory Council member. A co-founder of the non profit OneMillionOfUs, he has become a prominent leader in the efforts for climate change. At just 20-years-old, Foster penned a research paper, "The Human Right to Natural Capital," for Harvard University which landed him an invitation to speak at the United Nations' High Commission on Human Rights.
Mari Copeny
Known as "Little Miss Flint," Mari Copeny's activism began at 8 years old when she began mobilizing resources for her home of Flint, Michigan at the beginning of the city's water crisis, which is still hasn't been resolved. The EBONY 2022 Power 100 awardee has been recognized for her work to empower young people to use their voices for good and give back to their community. She was recently acknowledged by Billboard and received its Music Change Maker Award.
Isra Hirsi
Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota's congressional rep Ilhan Omar, is the co-executive director of the US Youth Climate Strike. She is also the 2019 recipient of the Brower Youth Award, which recognizes youth who use their platform for the promotion of social justice and environmental causes.
Zanagee Artis
Zanagee Artis is the Founder and Executive Director @thisiszerohour. Before starting at Brown University, Artis worked to launch a global movement for youth-led climate justice which later inspired Greta Thunberg to start Fridays For Future. He is a fierce advocate for the adoption of a Green New Deal which holds the United States—a major contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases— responsible for reduction legislation and tactics.
