Climate Leaders Fellowship Cohort Eight Portfolio

Aishwarya Agrawal

Empowering Youth To Create Climate Solutions Through Stem

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My name is Aishwarya Agrawal, and I am a high school junior living in Bellevue, WA. I am a co-founder of Environmental Impact Club, an environmental club targeted towards bringing together students of different grade levels and encouraging them to take steps to help preserve and positively impact their local environment. My interests include climate advocacy, gardening, competitive math, and competitive programming.

Project Background & Overview

My project worked to tackle two specific problems. Our state was impacted by a bomb cyclone in November. This event led to many disruptions and power outages. My family lost power for over a week, and many more vulnerable communities lost power for even longer. Following the storm, I was interested in better what communities were most vulnerable to power outages and how we could create a better response based on this data. However, through this process it was evident that our community did not possess a comprehensive record of power outages for every community made it difficult to reach conclusions. This was the first problem my project aimed to focus on. The second was the fact that I noticed many students didn’t seem to have the same drive to solve climate problems, not out of the lack of concern but rather because they didn’t believe they could create something meaningful this young. This led to the creation of my project. I aimed to build a better understanding of power outage in my own community and share the project to show youth how they could create climate solutions through STEM, too.

Project Execution

For the first part of my project, I wanted to take advantage of the data we had to try to better understand which communities were most vulnerable to power outages. This drove me to make use of code to create a Random Forest Regressor (machine-learning model) that combined data from various sources to create a predictive model for power outages in different counties. I also implemented a Monte Carlo simulation with the model to generate numerical predictions, allowing for a comparison between different counties. I shared my results in a science fair where I got more feedback on how to improve my model as well as spread awareness about the problem.

For the second part of my project, I presented my work to middle school students at Environmental Impact Club (EIC), an environmental club I helped co-found. I also encouraged them to think about problems they saw in their communities and ways they could take advantage of STEM to come up with solutions.

Impact

Overall, my project was able to identify areas most vulnerable to power outages and spread awareness about the problem, as well as encourage youth to come up with their own climate solutions through STEM. When it comes to data, PowerOutage.us was instrumental in providing access to power outage data that I used to train and test my machine learning model. Additionally, through Environmental Impact Club I was able to reach students and hold presentations. Currently I am help mentoring three student-led projects that were inspired by the presentation! I hope these projects will help inspired more in the future!

Personal Reflection

Throughout my fellowship, it was incredibly inspiring to see the countless projects other fellows were creating. The fellowship connected me with the like-minded students from across the globe and fostered a community where we able to build on each other ideas, successes, and failures. When it comes to my project, I’m incredibly proud of how I inspired youth to believe in themselves and help create climate solutions through STEM.

Tips for Others

• Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people/organizations! I had to cold email countless organizations before I got access to any data to train my model.
• STEM is a powerful tool – take advantage of it!
• Share your story along with your message – it is easier to get people to understand the importance of your message when they understand where you come from!

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Farah Alam

Small Habits, Big Impact

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I’m Farah Alam from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I’m currently 15. I don’t have any particular hobbies, but I’m REALLY into K-dramas.

Project Background & Overview

We addressed the lack of waste management in our community. There is no proper waste recycling or management system in our area. To be more exact, there no system in our country, even though every day, Dhaka discharges about 4,500 tonnes of solid waste into the Buriganga river alone.

My nani grew up near the Buriganga, and saw it turn from a lifeline into one of the most polluted rivers in the country. She often brings up this topic whenever we are together. It really is heartbreaking. Its toxic waters harm the environment, threaten public health with diseases, and endanger the livelihoods of thousands who rely on it daily.

Project Execution

What Did I Do?

• I created a school-wide waste recycling system to ensure all waste from our campus is recycled instead of being burned or dumped. This involved awareness campaigns, hands-on workshops, and partnerships with waste management organisations.

Actions Taken to Address the Problem

• Partnered with Circular Waste and worked directly with Shankalita Shome to set up a proper waste collection and recycling system for our school.
• Designed and put up 25–27 awareness posters with help from our art teacher to encourage proper waste disposal and sustainable habits (because they mentioned in their response to our google form that this will help them be reminded to take action actively).
• Conducted fun, interactive sustainability workshops for about 150 elementary students in my area to teach upcycling and waste reduction.
• With the help of Shankalita miss, we conducted a workshop to train the staff to teach them how to prepare wastes so that they can be recycled or upcycled.
• Ran a student survey (Class 5–10) to understand challenges and motivations for adopting sustainable practices.

Where & How Was the Project Implemented?

The project was implemented in my school, which has 1,300 students, 120 teachers, and 50 staff members. Recycling bins and collection bags will be placed around campus, supported by posters and workshops to reinforce the right habits. I also implemented the awareness workshops in local art coaching centers for younger children from playgroup to Class 3.

Who Were Your Target Audiences & How Did You Engage Them?

My primary target audience was my school community (students, teachers, and staff)—engaged through posters, workshops, announcements, and planned recycling activities.
My secondary audience was younger children in local art coaching centers—engaged through interactive upcycling activities and sustainability games.

Impact

Contributions & Results

• Four 30 kg waste collection bags purchased for the school’s recycling system.
• Volunteer hours from teachers, art center coaches, and student helpers for poster-making and workshop facilitation.
• Entire school waste stream will now be recycled (1,300 students, 120 teachers, 50 staff).
• Estimated 120–160 kg CO₂ emissions reduced every two weeks.
• Around 150 young children trained in sustainability. Many of them have already begun upcycling at home and influencing their families.
• Survey results showed students are eager to adopt sustainable habits if the process is easy and visible in impact.

Organizations & Mentors Worked With

Circular Waste—worked directly with Shankalita Shome, and local art coaching centers and their teachers.

How Did These Partnerships Help?

Circular Waste provided technical expertise, staff training, and will manage the actual recycling process.
Art coaching centers provided access to young students and helped integrate sustainability into their art activities.

Personal Reflection

Inspiration & Support from the Climate Leaders Fellowship

Yes, seeing other fellows’ creative solutions to environmental issues motivated me to think bigger and really encouraged me. I also partnered with my classmates who were part of the program as well.

How Did the Fellowship Make Me Feel?

It made me feel empowered to turn an idea into a real system that can create visible change. I also gained confidence while I engaged with organizations and led activities for large groups.

What Am I Most Proud Of?

I’m most proud that my project created a system that will continue running even after my direct involvement, and inspiring not only my school but also younger children and their families to adopt sustainable habits.

Tips for Others

• Keep the system easy to follow.
• Use posters (the main thing is to have some kind of a visual representation, doesn’t necessarily have to be posters) and reminders to build habits.
• Involve students and staff from the start.
• Teach younger kids—they spread the message fast and are once they build a good habit, it will make a huge difference.
• Be proud of anything that you have done, no matter how small it may seem at the moment.

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From Seeds To Sustainability: Chapel Hill Teens Expand Access To Community Gardens

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Hello! Our names are Mary Elisabeth Tracy and Sophia Almeida. We are both 17 and live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We are both passionate about doing our part to help our community and solve problems about climate change. Both of us enjoy learning about science and helping out in our local community gardens.

Project Background & Overview

We are addressing the lack of equitable access to community gardens and locally grown food, particularly for low-income populations. Although our area has several community gardens, many operate independently, which means that community members are often unaware of all the gardens they have access to.

Additionally, since the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts will impact our fellow community members. According to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, these cuts come at a time when the need for food assistance is already surging and putting even more pressure on families and emergency food sources. Feeding America reports that across the Carolinas, nearly two in five people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP due to income thresholds.

Furthermore, we have observed that while grant programs are available, many gardens depend on volunteer labor and limited funding, which can restrict their ability to expand or sustain operations. We wanted to make community gardens more available and prominent to support struggling families and get community members more involved in helping their local gardens.

We believe that healthy affordable food is a basic human need, yet I see many people in my community that are still going without it. We have seen firsthand how food insecurity can affect people around us, especially those who don’t qualify for SNAP benefits anymore. Even though community gardens exist and can help, many residents don’t even know about them. They tend to only attract people who are already aware of local sustainability efforts, but they’re not reaching low income families or just families in general.

Community gardens should incorporate the entire community and be available to support people from all different backgrounds. We also believe that everyone deserves a chance. This matters to us and we believe that everyone deserves a chance to benefit from locally grown foods and participate in growing it. We want to make community gardens accessible to everyone.

Project Execution

In the research phase of our project, we interviewed leadership members at several local gardens in order to better understand the impacts community gardens have on the local community and the struggles they face. Our interviewees were all garden managers at their respective gardens (San Isidro Labrador Community Garden, SEEDS, and Carrboro Community/Family Garden). Through these interviews, we were able to confirm the main challenges the gardens experienced were related to resource needs and volunteer interest.

Drawing from our research, we decided that our approach should be a mix of collecting materials and encouraging members of the community to volunteer. Additionally, due to their educational youth programming, we chose SEEDS as the community garden that we would collect donations for.

At the beginning of our project, we struggled to narrow down a target audience due to the fact that we were collecting somewhat uncommon items. Knowing that we wanted to engage the local community, we decided to target people attending farmers’ markets because we believed that they would be more environmentally conscious and thus more likely to contribute materials to our drive.

At each of the farmers’ markets we attended, we distributed informational handouts, offered fun facts about urban agriculture, collected donations, and talked with people about their knowledge of and experiences with community gardens. Through these activities, we were able to educate market patrons on the positive effects of community gardens, encourage them to volunteer, and provide resources to assist them in locating nearby community gardens. Additionally, at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market, we ran seed planting and draw-your-dream-garden coloring activities in order to expose elementary-age children to gardening and community-based food production.

Impact

We worked with Southeastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces (SEEDS). SEEDS is a locally based nonprofit organization that maintains a two-acre community garden and indoor kitchen classroom in the heart of Durham. Its mission is to empower youth to become responsible, engaged citizens and environmental stewards. SEEDS utilizes its space to run educational youth programming, host other local community organizations, allow Durham residents to engage in community gardening, and bridge nutritional divides. Over the past year alone, the organization has donated over 1000 pounds of fresh produce to its community. We also worked with Farmers Markets which included Chapel Hill Farmers Market, Carrboro Farmers Market, and SODU Farmers Market.

We collected over 80 seed packets and a variety of gardening tools, including shovels and rakes. We were able to interact with over 100+ community members and educate them about community gardens and the various options they had to volunteer at one. There was a large number of people who did not know about community gardens or that they had any near them, so we were very glad to educate them. We were able to hand out flyers to over 50+ people to give them ways to start their community garden or volunteer in an already existing one.

Personal Reflection

Yes, we were inspired by some of the ideas that our fellow Climate Leaders presented and suggested. While we did not implement many of the tactics that other members were using, such as leveraging social media and providing incentives for people to contribute, they did inspire us with general themes that were important in planning our project (How do we promote our project? How do we make it as easy as possible for our target audience to get involved?).

A major theme that we recognized throughout our project was the strength, value, and beauty of community. We had the privilege to conduct two of the interviews in-person, and it was lovely to observe the dynamics between the gardeners. It was clear that they all cared for each other; in fact, one of the managers shared in an anecdote that after the passing of a frequent gardener, the other garden members harvested some of her favorite flowers and produce as a gift for her mourning family. Though difficult to pinpoint, there was something deeply emotional and precious about each of the gardens we visited. In the highly polarized modern American landscape where it feels like people are disconnected and apathetic towards their fellow person, it was very refreshing and reassuring to witness such a shining example of community. Though not quite as close-knit, a similar feeling existed at the farmers’ markets we attended. It was nice to see the investment of market managers and engagement of patrons in cultivating community. Additionally, from receiving setup support and advice from people organizing the markets to being gifted free produce from neighboring vendors, we were blessed with numerous acts of generosity from the people we collaborated and interacted with. Overall, the project was very rewarding and has piqued my interest in the development of sustainable communities, in addition to opening our eyes to the profoundly human aspect of solutions to environmental issues.

Tips for Others

• Know your goal – What exactly are you aiming to do with your project? What is the impact you hope to achieve? What is the problem that you are trying to address? What are the root causes, and how can you combat them? Comprehensive and area-specific research will set you up for a streamlined and impactful project. Set thoughtful, specific requirements for what your project should do, and use them to drive every decision you make. Reflect frequently on how well the implementation of your project aligns with them.
• Be realistic with your scope – What are your resource limitations? How much time and energy will you have to expend on your project? A small-scale, well-thought-out project will be more successful and have a greater impact than a project that stretches itself thin with a massive scope.
• Don’t try to reinvent the wheel – If there are existing organizations doing work that aligns with your project (which there probably are), find ways to collaborate with and support them. They likely have resources and experience that will allow them to be much more successful than you. Your greatest impact will be found working with organizations related to your project area or occupying a niche that is otherwise not being explored.
• Get the word out early and often – The greatest barrier you will have in engaging your target audience is them being aware that your project exists. Social media is an incredibly powerful tool, and you should absolutely leverage it (we did not in our project, which likely limited its effectiveness). If you do, be creative with your content – think about what people want to see and will find interesting (a few ideas are clips from interviews, montages of media that you collect throughout, and playing into trends). Of course, your communication format should be informed by your target audience, so you may also consider newsletters, announcements, fliers, emailing lists, word-of-mouth, and other methods.
• Define your target audience precisely and put in the effort to understand them – What are the barriers they may face in participating in your project? Are they inherently interested in what you have to offer, or do they need other incentives? How can you relate the issues you are addressing and the impacts of your project to their personal experiences and daily life? What sorts of public areas do they frequent? People tend to be quite busy in the modern world, and they often have numerous responsibilities that they prioritize over contributing to climate action. The easier and lower-effort you can make it for people to contribute, the more engagement you will get. Additionally, people can tend to be quite apathetic towards climate issues, and the most effective way to get them to care is to demonstrate how they are directly impacted.

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Cleaning Up For Change: Raising Waste Management Awareness In My Ethiopian Community

Project Background & Overview

In my community, waste collection happens only on certain mornings. On these days, residents bring their trash outside all at once. However, the waste is often piled haphazardly on the ground, with no proper bins or clear separation of materials—beyond the use of plastic bags. There was no system to separate recyclables, organic waste, and non-recyclables, nor any awareness about why such separation is important.

Personally, this issue stood out to me because of its direct impact on our health and environment. The waste created a strong, unpleasant odor that lingered in the area even after the trash collectors had left. Leftover debris often remained scattered on the ground, attracting pests and contributing to unhygienic conditions. It was not only disruptive to daily life but also a sign that our community needed better waste management practices and education on their benefits.

Project Execution

To address the waste management problem in my community, I designed and implemented an awareness campaign focused on proper waste separation. I created sturdy posters with clear, color-coded sections for recyclables, dry waste, and non-recyclables, each illustrated with images to make the system easy to understand for all residents.

Before launching the initiative, I met with the leaders of my apartment complex to present my idea and receive their approval. I also spoke directly with local trash collectors to ensure their cooperation and input. With their support, I proceeded to create and install the posters in the backyard area where residents typically disposed of their waste. Each poster was securely placed into the ground, spaced apart to clearly mark different waste categories.

My primary audience was my neighbors and the wider apartment community. To engage them, I used our community group chats to announce the new system, explain how it worked, and share why proper waste separation benefits both health and the environment.

Impact

This project was entirely self-led, with no external contributions in the form of materials, funding, or volunteer hours. I carried out all stages of the work independently, with the moral support of my parents and family. While raising awareness in a community that has limited exposure to structured waste management practices can be challenging, I was encouraged by the positive responses from several residents who began following the separation system.

Although I did not partner with any organizations or mentors, the project successfully initiated conversations about proper waste disposal and highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility within our apartment complex. Even small shifts in behavior marked a meaningful step toward a cleaner and healthier living space.

Personal Reflection

My inspiration for this project came from another member of the Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort, who had also implemented a waste management initiative in her own apartment complex. While our approaches were different—hers focused on her specific community’s needs and mine on introducing a clear waste separation system—the shared goal of creating a cleaner, more sustainable living environment motivated me to adapt the idea for my own context.

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel empowered and capable of making a tangible difference. It gave me the confidence to take initiative, step into a leadership role, and actively contribute to solving an environmental challenge in my own community. Most of all, I am proud that my project succeeded in raising awareness, even in small ways, about climate change and the importance of proper waste management. Knowing that I could inspire others to take action, however modest, is one of my greatest achievements from this experience.

Tips for Others

My biggest advice is to stay authentic to what you truly want to solve. Whether your project takes place in your school, your neighborhood, or your city, focus on identifying the specific needs of your own community. Don’t simply follow trends or copy what others are doing—observe what is necessary in your local context, especially in relation to climate change, and design your project around that. When your work is rooted in genuine need, your impact will be both meaningful and lasting.

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Amina Asad

One’S Man Trash Is Another Man’S Treasure: Seeing Value Where Others See Waste

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My name is Amina, and I am a 17-year-old New Yorker that’s passionate about community advocacy. In my free time, I love to read or watch anything horror or psychologically thrilling, bake to satisfy my sweet tooth, and explore new creative hobbies like pottery and painting. I’m also an avid puzzle enthusiast, always enjoying the challenge of bringing disparate pieces together.

Project Background & Overview

The extensive issue of waste accumulation, both within my local community and globally, was the specific problem my project aimed to address. The sheer scale of this problem is staggering: for instance, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), roughly 33 billion pounds of plastic are dumped into oceans each year. This overwhelming amount of discarded materials not only pollutes our planet but also represents the vast amount of wasted potential.

This problem deeply matters to me on a personal level as I’ve observed firsthand the significant amount of waste generated even within my own home, particularly with my younger siblings, emphasizing how everyday consumption contributes to this larger issue. Witnessing this daily, my need to act was strengthened. My “trash-to-art” project was born from this realization and driven by the belief that this creative approach to waste reduction can be easily replicated in any home or school, fostering a widespread understanding that what we often perceive as trash can, in fact, be a valuable resource.

Project Execution

My project centered on actively demonstrating the hidden value and creative potential of what we perceive as “waste”. Many teenagers and I transformed the ‘trash’ into engaging art pieces, with the primary goal of shifting the perception that “waste is always without worth”. Through this hands-on event, I actively promoted resource conservation and inspired a greater appreciation for upcycling.

This initiative was primarily implemented at a local community library, a venue I chose because of its established reputation for hosting accessible activities and events for young people. I collaborated closely with the staff, working with them to organize the event, secure a suitable space, and gather necessary materials, ensuring the project could run smoothly within a familiar and welcoming environment.

My primary target audience for these workshops was teenagers. I engaged them directly through an interactive art-making event where they could physically transform discarded items. I was also delighted to see a few adults join in, demonstrating the broad appeal of upcycling and creative environmental action across different age groups.

Impact

My project succeeded in demonstrating tangible results and fostering a shift in perception regarding waste. For the event, I actively collected a range of discarded materials, such as plastic and cardboard boxes, straws, shopping bags, and clothing scraps. Additionally, I encouraged participating teenagers to bring in their own household waste, emphasizing personal responsibility and engagement. In total, we collected and transformed approximately 15 pounds of materials, successfully diverting them from entering landfills.

Beyond these quantifiable metrics, my project directly impacted 45 teenagers and 3 adults who actively participated in transforming these discarded items. The atmosphere during the event was consistently positive and engaging; teens were visibly excited and interested in the process, often laughing with their friends while creating. I personally observed numerous ‘aha!’ moments as participants discovered innovative uses for materials they once considered useless, quickly overcoming any initial hesitations or even disgust about using ‘trash.’ The project’s appeal was further validated by the spontaneous involvement of three staff, who became genuinely interested and joined in, demonstrating a widespread positive attitude towards upcycling and creativity within the community.

The success was significantly supported by the partnership with the community library. They generously provided the ideal space to host these engaging events, ensuring accessibility and a comfortable environment for all participants. Their staff’s interest and direct involvement in the sessions also played a crucial role, showcasing the library’s commitment to community engagement and further validating the project’s importance.

Personal Reflection

While I didn’t receive direct assistance from my Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort, the discussions with many other fellows were incredibly valuable. These discussions provided a dynamic environment to bounce ideas off of each other and share our different perspectives. This helped me develop my initial ideas and refine my approach to environmental education.

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship truly made me feel supported and empowered. It was great to have a network of like-minded teens with whom I could brainstorm and develop ideas, knowing I had people to reach out to if I ever encountered challenges or got stuck. This sense of community was invaluable.

What I am most proud of regarding my project is the amount of people it reached. Seeing roughly 50 people actively work on transforming ‘trash’ into art and observing their ‘aha!’ moments were incredibly rewarding. I was glad to inspire a greater appreciation for resourcefulness in our community.

Tips for Others

• Start Early & Plan Ahead
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help – it’s why you have mentors and fellows!
• Engage Directly with Your Community – get out into your neighborhood and school
• Utilize Digital Platforms like Social Media to Promote and Connect
• Collaborate with Local Organizations, Libraries, or Other Community Groups
• Actively Involve & Empower Youth in Your Project
• Be Consistent in Your Efforts: Small, consistent actions build towards significant results
• Acknowledge and Celebrate Both Your Small Victories and Your Major Achievements

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Starting With Awareness

Project Background & Overview

When I first questioned the issue of waste in my community, I noticed that very few of us were informed about climate change. For instance, only 2 of my classmates had enough knowledge about climate change and pollution. This was the first step towards my project, because it set me a goal: to enlighten my community on the matter.

Project Execution

For my project, I designed a website containing short stories about the impact of climate change on forests and the ecosystems, a course named “the eco-alphabet with a greener habit for each letter of the alphabet, and finally what I managed to change in my school and community. I spoke up about the matter to my family and school, and we managed to find solutions.

Impact

Some people of my community began to collect plastic and send it to recycling organizations. Over 20 pounds of bread was given to a friend’s chicken coop to avoid waste. My school planted a small garden with trees and multiple plants. I didn’t work directly work with any organization, but my family and friends have helped during the project.

Personal Reflection

I found on social media one girl who participated in the fellowship and built a website; I mostly took inspiration from her. But a few members of my fellowship cohort talked about storytelling and designing children’s books to inform about climate change. That’s from where my idea of short stories came from. Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship has been one of my favourite experiences this year, i had the chance to exchange with many bright and motivated teenagers and learn from them. Last but not least, I am the most proud of my community and how quick they took action.

Tips for Others

For all the next fellows who want to do a project, don’t be scared that your project is too simple. What matters is that you take action and fight for the causes that matter to you.

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Tessa Bergstrom

Community Impact: Reusing Clothes And Reducing Waste

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Hi, my name is Tessa. I live in California and I’m a sophomore at Woodside Priory. I am 15 years old. I enjoy traveling and participating in community service projects while abroad, and experiencing different cultures while meeting new people.

Project Background & Overview

For my project, I addressed two issues: clothing waste and providing clothing to low income families. Clothing waste is a significant problem, however it’s very easy to reuse clothing instead of just throwing it out. I hope to start regularly receiving and distributing clothing in my community to make it easier for everyone to reuse. This problem matters to me personally because I care about the climate and my community and this was a simple solution to improving both.

Project Execution

To address this issue, I decided to collect donations of clothing and then organize a time to give them out. To collect clothing, I reached out to my community in different ways – I sent out a message to my community forum to organize clothing drop-off, I put posters up at 4 different local schools, I reached out to my Scouts troop, and I asked my friends and family to give me any extra clothing they had. Generations United, a group I’ve volunteered with in the past, had an event planned for Mother’s Day. As part of the event, I set up clothing donations. My project targeted local families to encourage them to regularly reuse and donate their old clothing to help reduce waste.

Impact

I collected over 1500 pieces of clothing from people in my community. The Mother’s Day event was extremely successful, I would estimate around 90% of the clothing was taken and the other 10% was donated to Goodwill. I connected with a local organization, Generations United (https://generations-united.com/) that works to help people in need of resources. That organization helped me reach out to families in need and hosted an event where I could easily provide the donations, which made the project much more impactful and organized. At the event, many people expressed their gratitude for my donations and I am so grateful that I was able to provide them with what they needed.

Personal Reflection

While I didn’t work directly with other cohort members, seeing other’s projects inspired me. The Climate Leaders Fellowship was an extremely valuable experience for me, and it inspired me to continue my service work and gave me many other ideas for other projects. It helped me realize that I can make a difference, however small. It made me feel so fortunate that I was able to make someone’s day a bit better. I’m so grateful that my project was successful enough to make a change, and the Climate Leaders Fellowship helped me along the way to make it more impactful.

Tips for Others

• Choose a problem that you care deeply about. It’s much easier to love what you’re doing when you’re doing something thats meaningful to you.
• Reach out to more than one place to make it as impactful as possible. Throughout my project, I contacted more than 7 different places to ensure I received as much donations as possible. I put up posters, talked to others, sent emails, and posted on local forums.
• Stay as organized as possible throughout the process. It was hard to collect and store over 1500 items of clothing, however I did my best to keep them organized and tried to manage my time as well as possible, and everything went well.
• Be prepared with a backup plan if things don’t go as expected. I was left with some extra clothing, so I decided to donate it.
• Make it easy for people to contribute. When asking for donations, be specific about what you need and when you need it. I ran into a problem when I posted on a local forum about my donations – I forgot to mention what sizes of clothing I needed, and I got many messages asking what they should donate. After that, I edited the post to fix it, and everything went well.

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Yusuf Farooq & Yahya Bilal

One Earth: Getting Off The Ground

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We are Yusuf Farooq and Yahya Bilal, and have co-developed the One Earth project. We are both 17 years old and reside in Ontario, Canada. Our project started with a singular idea in mind, small actions done collectively hold the power to shape the world. By expanding on this idea we hope to create an everlasting positive impact on the planet and the people and life which call it home.

Project Background & Overview

What specific problem were you addressing in your community?

Our project aims to fulfill the lack of motivation when making healthier, more sustainable choices. This is not an issue we have observed in our community alone, but also travelling around the world. Through our journey, we have come to realize that individuals do not feel the need to take small actions, such as picking up their garbage or even preventing wasting energy by turning off unnecessary lights. In our eyes, it was truly heartbreaking to see individuals unable to take the smallest of steps to make the world a better place. We hope that as we continue to develop our project we are able to persuade people to take action for our planet, no matter how small that action may be.

Why does that problem matter to you personally?

As a consequence of humanity’s actions the effects of climate change, especially in Canada, are quite clear. Wildfires and other extreme weather events combined with a melting Arctic mean that our ecosystems are in great danger, and many are already suffering. We believe that, as Canadians, we must do our part in resolving this issue.

Project Execution

What did you do for your project?

Together we have begun developing an app to make participating in climate action easier. Through small quizzes, volunteering dashboards and even a marketplace, users are able to explore the ability to make a difference one small action at a time.

What actions did you take to address the problem?

• Forming partnerships with local businesses and politicians
• Ensuring accessibility and ease of use through rigorous testing
• Providing motivation through gamification and rewards

Where and how did you implement your project?

We began with our family and friends, slowly branching the project to our local community. As work on the app continues, we look to implement social media and various other tools to ensure that the app reaches its full potential.

Who were your target audiences and how did you engage them?

Our target audience was youth, not unlike ourselves, due to the importance of educating the leaders of tomorrow about what they can do to make a difference for the climate. We aim to reach this group through the use of Instagram and other such social media platforms.

Impact

What types of contributions (materials, funds, volunteer hours) did you collect?

• Volunteering hours made possible through the volunteering dashboard
• Donations collected through various in-app opportunities
• Support for local businesses advertised through our app

What were the results?

• Made it more accessible for teenagers, and anyone else, to participate in climate action
• Increased awareness of the idea that small actions done collectively can save the climate
• Positive feedback from our partners and testers

Which organizations or mentors did you work with?

We’ve worked with Terra, a climate education organization, as well as the Co-operators Group, one of Canada’s largest insurance companies, which focuses on sustainable practices- it was founded by farmers and continues to be a co-operative.

How did these organization or mentor partnerships help your project succeed?

Through these various mentorship and partnership opportunities, the One Earth project has been able to grow and shape for the better. Not just have we been able to truly understand the problems and challenges at hand, but also the steps needed to find solutions. Additionally, these supports are crucial to maximizing outreach and impact.

Personal Reflection

Did you receive any help or inspiration from other members of your Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort?

Seeing numerous other individuals striving to step up for the climate, each working in their unique ways, inspired us to push the project further and strive to leave an everlasting positive impact.

How did participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship make you feel?

The fellowship left the One Earth project, and us as its founders, with a greater understanding of how best to progress forward. Seeing so many other fellows go about so many different ways broadened my viewpoint and has allowed us to come up with new ideas.

What are you most proud of regarding your project?

We are most proud of the vision we were able to produce. We came up with a plan, revised it, learned from our mistakes, and today we have successfully made it to the stage where we can connect with politicians and investors to discuss how to move forward with confidence. There’s still a very long way to go, and it won’t be easy, but having a clear vision has made it much easier to progress forward.

Tips for Others

• As simple as it may seem, creating a clear plan is where the whole journey begins. You may want to start large, but it might be easier starting small and growing from there.
• Build connections – refine your plan with the insights gained by consulting with these connections
• If an aspect of your plan fails, let it. Fail quickly, so you can move on and implement a new, reworked solution. Don’t waste time trying to justify a faulty plan for the sake of “not failing”.
• Once you’ve achieved your goal, decide the future of your project. Do you want to hand it over to someone else, such as an organization, or do you want to scale it yourself?

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Geetika Boppana

200+ Emails And One Goal: Reducing Corporate Waste

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My name is Geetika Boppana and I’m a 15 year old from a town in Northern Virginia. I’m very passionate about activism, debate, and environmental sustainability. I enjoy using my voice to raise awareness and inspire action about important issues. All of this led me to take on a project focused on reducing corporate waste, where I reached out to businesses to encourage more sustainable practices.

Project Background & Overview

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), businesses generate over 250 million tons of waste annually in the United States, with the restaurant and food service sector alone producing 22 to 33 billion pounds of food waste each year. A lot of this waste comes from the use of single-use plastics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose while releasing harmful microplastics into the environment. Many companies today still heavily rely on single-use plastics and packaging, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. This project aimed to raise awareness among local businesses about these impacts and encourage simple “first steps” that these businesses could take to reduce their waste footprint through outreach, or specifically through sending emails.

The idea for this project came to me when I noticed how common single-use plastics and excessive packaging were in local business. When talking to people from my school and looking at reports from other environmental conservation agency’s, I realized that it would be incredibly difficult and expensive for businesses to abruptly switch to alternative materials. That’s why, with this project, I chose to focus on smaller, practical changes that any company could implement. After all, even small actions or initiatives can create a larger impact over time.

Project Execution

For this project, I focused on raising awareness among restaurants and local businesses about their waste output and offered simple, practical solutions to reduce it. This project involved conducting large-scale outreach by sending over 200 personalized emails to 104 companies, explaining our mission, why waste reduction matters, and suggesting small, actionable changes they could make. The project was entirely online, using email to connect with business owners and managers. My main audience was business owners, particularly restaurants, but I also reached out to teachers, friends, and community members to raise awareness. I engaged them by sharing information, sparking conversations about practical waste reduction strategies, and showing that young people are ready to take action on environmental issues.

Impact

The main contributions were my time and effort crafting personalized emails and researching practical, sustainable solutions. Quantitatively, I sent over 200 emails to 104 businesses. Qualitatively, several companies expressed interest in our ideas, and community members were inspired to make small changes at home, like ordering in bulk to reduce packaging. While the project didn’t require funds or physical materials, it raised awareness and sparked conversations about waste reduction, which was my overall goal.

Personal Reflection

Being part of the Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort discussions was incredibly helpful. Hearing other participants talk about their projects gave me new ideas and helped me think about different ways to approach mine. The advice and feedback I received made my outreach more effective, and it was inspiring to be surrounded by people who were just as passionate about making a difference for the environment.

Tips for Others

• Start with a problem you genuinely care about.
• Focus on time-managements and plan everything out in advance.
• Try to prioritize small, achievable changes rather than trying to fix everything at once.

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From School Bins To Highways: Recycling To Combat Landfills

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Hi! My name is Hugo Castellini and I currently live in Sewickley, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am 16 years old and whether it is skiing, hiking, biking, or playing sports, I love the outdoors. I am passionate about environmental sustainability and STEM topics!

Project Background & Overview

In Sewickley, Pennsylvania, a large amount of recyclable materials—especially bottles and cans—still ends up in landfills instead of being properly recycled. Our community lacks convenient recycling options at schools, and roadside litter along nearby highways often contains items that could have been recycled. This not only fills landfills unnecessarily but also pollutes local environments and harms wildlife. I care deeply about protecting the environment and reducing waste because I’ve seen firsthand how much litter ends up in our community and how little of it is recycled.

Project Execution

I installed a recycling bin at my school specifically for bottles and cans, personally cleaned and sorted the recyclables to ensure they could be processed, and organized a highway cleanup to collect litter from the roadside. The recycling initiative was implemented at my school, while the cleanup took place along a local highway. I promoted the project to my target audience of students and staff at my high school by putting up flyers and announcements on the importance of cleaning and recycling bottles and cans, and I organized the cleanup through direct outreach.

Impact

For the recycling bin project, I provided the labor of cleaning and sorting bottles and cans myself, and I coordinated volunteer hours for the highway cleanup. For the cleanup, I gathered bags of litter, much of which was recyclable. I was able to gather and recycle nearly 30 pounds of plastic from my school, which I estimate to be around 350 empty bottles and cans from students and staff. I also helped organize a roadside cleanup where a group of 8 students collected and recycled about 100 pounds of plastic. While I couldn’t track exactly how many people participated in recycling at school, the ongoing project continues to make a visible impact. Additionally, one key partnership that helped my project succeed was one with a returning mentor fellow. In a 1 on 1 meeting, Audrey helped me narrow down my original idea into a more realistic project that I could implement effectively. Thank you Audrey!!

Personal Reflection

When I was still figuring out what to do with my project I was greatly inspired by other members of the cohort as I read about their projects on the discord server. There were so many unique and creative ideas and asking questions about them influenced my project for the better.

Being part of the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel empowered to take real action in my community. It gave me the tools, confidence, and support to turn an idea into a tangible project that produced visible results. I’m most proud of the real impact I was able to deliver while also stepping out of my comfort zone. One key moment I’ll remember is when I saw the recycling bin at my school start to fill up for the first time, it made me realize that people were actually participating and that my efforts were making a real difference.

Tips for Others

• Reach out as much as you can and don’t be scared of rejection.
• Keep going even if one thing doesn’t work out.
• Put yourself out there and people will follow your lead.
• Step out of your comfort zone.

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Elizabeth Chaison

Climate Communication: Making Accessible Connections Between Water Resources & Climate Change

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Hey y’all! My name is Elizabeth Chaison, and I am going into my senior year of high school in Leander, Texas. Outside of the CLF, I enjoy playing oboe, baking, learning new languages, and making art. I first joined the CLF to get involved in climate activism in my community, and hope to pursue environmental justice in the future.

Project Background & Overview

At the beginning of my senior fellowship with the CLF, I challenged myself to push past what I had accomplished with my previous fellowship project and directly impact a large number of people. I then faced the slightly more difficult decision of actually figuring out how to do that.

Growing up in Texas, water resources have always been an important consideration for my community. While researching how climate change has impacted my life in the early stages of the fellowship, I quickly realized that in my area and globally, water resources have been impacted by climate change and many related problems have been worsened. I also became aware that much of the information available on the connection between climate change and water resource is not accessible to the general public, either being difficult for the average person to understand or hard to find at all. I knew that the goal of my project needed to fill this need.

Project Execution

I experimented with various ideas about how I could make information on the connection between water resources and climate change more accessible. I thought about hosting a weekend event with guest speakers but found myself constrained by logistical issues like scheduling, costs, and space availability. I then realized that such an event wouldn’t even be as accessible to a wide audience as I had originally planned. I asked myself, “Where do most people turn when looking for information?” The internet. Pivoting my project, I decided to create and host an hour long YouTube webinar that would give viewers a better understanding of what climate change is, the ways that climate change impacts water resources in Texas and the world, and what both communities and individuals can do to raise awareness for and mitigate climate change.

Creating my webinar, I had to make sure that the information I was providing was accurate and synthesized to an extent that it would be understandable even if one had no background understanding of climate research or was hesitant to learn about climate change. While the research I conducted was extensive, I was also aware that my understanding of climate change’s impact on water resources was limited and that I needed to find a way to remedy this. With a cold email, I reached out to Dr. Jay L. Banner, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, who provided me permission to use one of his recorded lectures in my presentation, adding a level of supplemental depth to my webinar. Similar outreach tactics also helped me acquire a guest presentation from the American Red Cross on the impact the climate crisis has on migration, and I briefly emailed with those like Dr. Bridget Scanlon, a research professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and Nelun Fernando with the Texas Water Development Board, who helped me guide my inquiries while compiling my presentation.

Once my webinar presentation was complete and I had advertised my webinar on social media, the day that I would host the online presentation arrived. When I began, I saw 4-5 people log on, but was slightly disappointed that the amount of prior interest I had seen had not converted into actual viewers. However, I quickly realized that internet issues and power outages were impacting viewership of the livestream and many more people than I had seen had tried to log on. When I posted another recording after the live session in hopes that more people would be able to access it, I immediately saw views begin to flood in. It was extremely inspiring to see how many people cared about the cause that I was trying to raise awareness for and were willing to devote their time to hear what I had to say. More people than I had ever expected took time to view my webinar, even members of my local community who I would have never thought would remotely care about climate change, much less take an hour to listen to a presentation about it.

Impact

With my webinar, I was able to directly impact 173 viewers both in my local area of Texas who heard about my project from my promotional materials and from a global audience from general web traffic. Since my webinar is still accessible and has become a part of the wealth of climate change information available online, my webinar continues to help fill the gap in accessible climate change information that I had found.

In an exit survey available at the end of the webinar, I was able to gather additional information about the impact and effectiveness of my project. 91.67% of respondents stated that they agreed that my webinar was an overall engaging and enjoyable experience and that the webinar was effective in increasing their understanding of the impact that climate change has on water resources and other aspects of society. 75% of respondents also noted that they would be interested or very interested in learning more about climate change awareness efforts or attending similar webinars in the future. One respondent even provided the following message, saying, “I was appreciative to learn about this topic in a way which was meaningful, accessible, and still informative enough to advance my knowledge. I appreciated that the presenter talked to me with dignity and intelligence without talking down to me. There were many parts that I hadn’t known or had misunderstood that were explained to me! Thank you!”

Personal Reflection

Although my project shifted forms many times throughout the CLF cycle, I feel that I did accomplish my beginning goal of directly impact a large number of people. Not only did I impact those who viewed my webinar, but the time I spent working on my fellowship project and participating in the CLF greatly impacted me personally. I gained confidence in my ability to speak publicly and share both my knowledge and experiences with others. I learned to be flexible, realistic, and reflective while planning my project. Further still, I developed a strong sense of resilience as challenges eventually led my fellowship project to become stronger than if I had been able to execute it without any problems.

In the future, the skills and qualities that the CLF has imparted upon me will help me share my ideas both in my everyday life to advocate for myself and when I’m working on projects, whether relating to climate change awareness or other topics. Seeing the inspiring work that other fellows conducted and receiving their encouragement as I completed my own project, the CLF created an environment where I finally felt that making quantifiable change in the world was possible as I learned to look at problems from the perspective of finding solutions instead of ruminating on difficulties.

Tips for Others

• Do not be afraid to reach out to individuals, organizations, or groups who you think could help you on your journey to a successful fellowship project. I have learned that the mere act of reaching out is the usually the only thing standing between individuals and people who can support them. While conducting my project, I reached out to 12 experts in their fields with questions about the impact climate change has on water resources. Even though many didn’t respond or were unavailable, those who did provided vital information.
• Once you find a problem that you are passionate about solving, lean into it as far as you can. It is much easier to stay motivated towards completing a project when you have some sort of connection to it. Do not worry if the issue you want to tackle seems “unimportant” or too specialized, it is worth pursuing!
• Flexibility is the key to any project. Obstacles are inevitable in any project, and they are much easier to move past if you have multiple backup plans ready at each step of the execution process. By doing this, you can embrace challenges as natural openings to reflect upon and improve your project.

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San Francisco Teen Collaborates With Local High School Art Teacher On A Sustainable Art Project

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I’m Alan Chen, a 16 year old in San Francisco. I enjoy going on nature walks, playing volleyball, and hanging out with friends and family.

Project Background & Overview

My project aimed to address poor air pollution by smokers who dispose their cigarettes improperly. I believe this is a major contribution towards climate change, and I want to help mitigate it as much as I’m able to.

Project Execution

To encounter the poor disposal of cigarettes, I took the initiative to reach out to my previous physics teacher who recently became an art teacher to execute a fun project by combining sustainability and art activism. I was able to connect with a local cleanup organization (Refuse Refuse) that I’ve interned for 3 times which helped supplied butt cans that were painted by the students. After they were painted with amazing creative and artistic designs, they were distributed to a local neighborhood in areas that had cigarettes lying around.

Impact

The art project had 36 art students efforts that painted 36+ butt cans!

Personal Reflection

This was an amazing project! Not only were students able to express their “creative freedom,” they were also able to make a significant impact in our environment. By painting these butt cans, it makes it more colorful and eye catching which can potentially help smokers navigate to the cigarette garbage cans. By doing so, I’ve improved my outreaching and organizational skills!

Tips for Others

• Start early and outreach to as many teachers as you can, because not all teachers are always available and willing to collaborate with you
• Plan early, try your best to not procrastinate
• Rejection is direction, don’t let a single rejection discourage you in any way
• Reach out for support!!

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A Start To Helping The Issue With Lead

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We’re students from the Bronx High School of Science who care deeply about the health and safety of our communities—especially the ones that are often overlooked. Living in New York City, we’ve seen firsthand how environmental issues like lead contamination can go ignored in low-income neighborhoods. This issue hits home for us, so we decided to dive deeper and do something about it. Along the way, we reached out to housing agencies, like NYCHA, and even contacted some corporations involved in public housing and water infrastructure. We’re hoping to hear back from them and keep pushing this conversation forward.

Project Background & Overview

Our project started with a simple question: how safe is the water in NYC’s public housing? As we began digging into reports and data, we quickly realized this wasn’t just about water, but it was about inequality, health, and accountability. We learned that thousands of families living in NYCHA apartments have been exposed to toxic lead through outdated pipes and neglected inspections. This project became a way for us to not only research the problem but also raise awareness and propose real solutions that could make a difference. We focused on the science, the policies, and the people affected—especially kids and pregnant women who are most at risk.

Project Execution

Once we had our focus, we spent weeks researching everything from scientific studies to government reports to local news articles. We wanted to understand how lead exposure affects people, why it’s still happening, and what can be done about it. We wrote a comprehensive review pulling together case studies from Flint, Newark, and NYC. We also proposed a community-based plan that includes distributing certified water filters, expanding access to free lead testing, and pushing for infrastructure updates. On top of that, we emailed housing agencies and private companies, hoping to get them to look at our findings and, hopefully, take action.

Impact

While we’re still waiting on responses from some of the organizations we contacted, this project already had an impact on us and the people we’ve shared it with. Our classmates and teachers were shocked to learn how widespread and underreported the issue still is in NYC.

Personal Reflection

Working on this project opened our eyes to how environmental problems and inequality are so deeply connected. It’s frustrating to know that so many communities are still being exposed to lead in 2025. But it also made us feel hopeful, because with enough awareness and pressure, change can happen.

Tips for Others

If you’re thinking of doing a project like this, go for it. Start with what you care about, and don’t be afraid to dig deep. Look at the science, the policy, and the human impact. Talk to people. Reach out to organizations—even if you think they won’t respond!

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Nurzahan Chowdhury

Trash To Treasure: The Power Of Composting

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Hello, my name is Nurzahan Chowdhury. I’m 17 and am currently an upcoming senior at Midwood High School. I spend a lot of my time reading books and watching movies, becoming captivated in their plots. My love for stories led me to having a deep interest in writing as a hobby. If I’m not typing away, you’ll probably find me painting.

Project Background & Overview

Living in NYC my whole life, I became easily acquainted with random bits of trash and food scraps all over the ground. Whether it be on the streets as you walk, or in schools, which seems to be extremely common. Going to school everyday, I began to notice how much food students wasted, which was a very troubling thing for me to witness. NYC public schools waste over 40,000 tons of food annually, a number that was too large for my liking.

Project Execution

To combat the problems I was seeing everyday, I began researching food waste in NYC schools and created a research paper my sophomore year to understand it better. As part of this program, I decided to tackle the issue socially first. I conducted a survey with 260 responses to understand what students at my school knew about food waste and its environmental impact. This survey also allowed me to understand their eating habits in school. With this data, I spoke to my school’s principal to discuss possible solutions and to spread posters around for awareness. We also created a website. He, my team, and I worked with our school’s Green Team to conduct a waste audit and implement a composting system to be used the following year. We transformed our trashcans into compost bins meant only for food, which was then turned into compost and used in our school garden.

Impact

Working with my principal and Green Team was a huge help, allowing us to see massive results. Students began to become more aware as the posters we placed made a lot of people visit our website. 211 kids showed interest in learning about the ways food waste harms the environment. Students at our school began to waste less food, and the cafeteria staff reported positive results as they noticed kids felt more inclined to only eat what they needed. This social project allowed our research to become scientific as it paved the way for future research.

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me realize that my age wasn’t a barrier. I saw a lot of issues with food waste at my school and waited for an adult to fix it, but when I realized none of them would, I was able to step up through this fellowship. I had resources and people who were willing to help. I’m proud of the awareness I was able to bring and the dedication I placed into this project.

Tips for Others

• Don’t be nervous to confront adults or ask for help.
• Be persistent. A lot of people will disregard you or not take you seriously, but you need to show them your determination.
• Have a plan and be ready to show it to others.

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Sydney Chung

Recycle The Runway

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My name is Sydney Chung, and I am 16 years old. I currently live in Honolulu, Hawaii. My interests are in environmental sustainability, fashion, public speaking, and music.

Project Background & Overview

The specific problems I was addressing in my community were fast fashion and overconsumption. Although this is more of a global problem, it has implications for where I live. An integral portion of Hawaii’s economic culture are small businesses. Today, small businesses face immense competition from unsustainable fast fashion companies. Additionally, with the limited space that Hawaii has, textile waste is also a concerning issue. Hawaii is currently trying to identify a new landfill site due to increasing waste overall.

This problem matters to me personally because I used to shop from fast fashion companies all the time. After watching countless Shein hauls and unboxings, I became hooked on the website where everything was just too good to be true. I was obsessed with quantity > quality and started to rack up compliments with the way I dressed. It wasn’t until the end of my eighth grade year where I had to do a science project researching causes of climate change- when I settled on fashion. After researching and filling out an 8-page Google Doc purely with statistics and horror-stories, it’s safe to say that I don’t shop at Shein anymore. I was wracked with guilt about everything that went on behind-the-scenes, and how my dollar was single handedly voting for the impacts of fast fashion.

Project Execution

My project, Recycle the Runway, is an upcycling business. I take in old clothes from my family, friends, and community, where I upcycle and compile them into collections. I noticed that many individuals in my community have excess clothing taking up space in their homes, and also wanted to alleviate this issue. After taking in donations, I started working out of the comfort of my own home. My parents and I cleaned out an old storage room that I got to use for sewing. I then started posting on Instagram, where I would upload collections and styling reels for viewers. This is because my target audience is teenagers, who often spend time on social media. My short form videos often engaged my audience, where I gained most of my Instagram views from. I wanted to target young people because they have the most potential to change their shopping habits. Additionally, most sustainable fashion brands are inaccessible to kids. They are either too expensive or don’t cater to younger styles.

Impact

Over the span of 2 years running my business, I have filled 150+ orders. On Instagram, I have gained 100K+ views and 350+ followers. Within my community, I participated in 10+ pop-up events. I have done pop-up events with Goodwill Hawaii, Call Me Unni, and the Keiki Makers Market (Makia). Being in Recycle the Runway allowed me to intern on Goodwill Hawaii’s annual 100% thrifted fashion show for two years. These partnerships allowed for increased visibility on my business. But deeper than that, I learned the intricacies of running a small business, while also learning about how Hawaii’s unique culture shapes their processes.

Personal Reflection

I received inspiration from a lot of the members from the Climate Leaders Fellowship. Many of them actually targeted fast fashion as an issue, which was motivating to see. I was glad that students from around this nation also identified this as a major issue. I was inspired by students who created clothing drives, and was thinking about doing the same for my business. Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship was a transformative experience, and made me feel like I was supported by a network of students + instructors. Regarding my project, I am most proud of the connections I have made along the way. I have met so many interesting people and groups that I would have never imagined meeting if I didn’t start Recycle the Runway.

Tips for Others

• Take advantage of social media to spread the word, but use it wisely
• Take advantage of every opportunity out there
• Be respectful and kind to everyone you meet, because you never know how they will help/harm you in the future
• Don’t be afraid to utilize your creativity
• Most of all, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and embarrass yourself

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Elizabeth Chua Xin En

The Malaysian Teen Who Turned Model Un Into A Global Climate Action Movement, Mobilizing 500+ Youth Across 15 Countries

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Hi, I’m Elizabeth 🙂 an A level student who refuses to wait until adulthood to make an impact!! I lead the DMUN Sustainability Forum, a youth-led platform that has grown from a single conference idea into an international stage for climate action. Whether I’m speaking at a UN conference in Denmark, rallying 500+ young changemakers for our events, or bringing real industry experts to inspire delegates, I’m always driven by one question: If not us, then who?

I mix my love for chemical engineering with hands-on impact — channeling creativity through hosting global conferences, driving environmental projects, and even performing music internationally to inspire and connect communities. For me, it’s never been about choosing between science, advocacy, or the arts… I’m always looking to find the perfect blend of interdisciplinary skills to spark the most efficient change (highest return on investment 😉

If you ever meet me in real life, you’ll probably catch me humming Sabrina Carpenter on my way to school haha (headphones in, secretly plotting my next big project of course <3)

Project Background & Overview

DMUNSF didn’t exist. It started as scribbles in my notebook during chemistry class—a “what if” that refused to leave me alone: What if Model UN could do more than debate? What if it became a tool for actual environmental action?

In Malaysia, youth care about climate change but rarely get to act. Over 60% of young people worry, fewer than 15% have done structured projects. That stat hit me like a chain reaction nearing critical mass.

DMUNSF was designed to flip the script. Delegates didn’t just sit, listen, and leave—they walked out with action plans and partnerships. Our inaugural event brought together 500+ delegates from 20+ countries, many attending their first sustainability-focused conference.

Speakers included:

• Anthony Tan, MySDG Centre for Environment & Sustainability
• Yusuf Usman Dauda, Founder & CEO of Mactite Solutions
• Jacob Greene, DMUN Foundation Executive & COP28 Delegate
• Jerome Khou, Green Educators Workgroup Chairperson
• Lily Yang Liu, Climate Negotiator for COP29, Youth Climate Activist

These voices connected delegates to real-world climate work, from policy to grassroots innovation. The most transformative part? Seeing delegates inspired by DMUNSF launch offline & online conferences—one in Singapore, one in Calcutta, and projects sprouting in their own schools (composting programs, solar panel ideas—still cooking, but you get the spark).

DMUNSF was all about engineering a youth-led climate movement with compounding impact, to ensure the work lives on and is ever lasting— where each participant could become a catalyst in their own network. (And to put it simply) It all started with a stubborn refusal to accept that “youth voices” should just be symbolic.

Project Execution

Pulling off DMUNSF was less template, more chaos-to-catalyst. I juggled strategy, partnerships, speaker outreach, operations, media, and a team of 20 across time zones—basically architect + builder + coordinator.

We built an engagement pipeline: pre-conference workshops, curated speakers, and follow-up structures for delegate action. Delegates got direct contact info for speakers, step-by-step UN guides, and actionable tips. Inspiration became tangible.

Speaker highlights:

• Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise – Yusuf: roadmap for sustainability ventures
• Direct UN Engagement – Lily: actionable UN pathways
• Grassroots School Initiatives – Jerome: replicate green programs
• Governance & Policy – Anthony: insider policy insights
• MUN Building & Courage – Jacob: practical MUN tips + leap-of-faith stories

I personally handled cross-time-zone outreach, pitching, and aligning sessions with delegate outcomes. My 20 teammates were the secret sauce—zooming at odd hours, brainstorming, laughing, panicking, improvising workshops when speakers canceled. Leadership isn’t doing it all—we learn to let others shine and cheering like mad when they do 😀

School collaborations included Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar & HLCE Resource Center. At MSAB, I co-led workshops introducing MUN for environmental advocacy.

We aimed for PAJSK International-Level Certification (pending) to give the forum credibility in Malaysian context. On social media, @dmunsf.official hit 73.4k views with 284 organic followers.

By day one, 500+ delegates from 15+ countries joined, including 80+ from Africa and 100+ from a Malaysian government school. Two offline conferences in Malaysia spun up directly from inspired delegates. One event, dozens more planted. That’s DMUNSF math: exponential impact.

Impact

Delegate Reach

• 500+ participants from 15+ countries
• 80+ delegates from African nations (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa)
• 100+ delegates from Malaysian government school Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar — largest single-school participation to date
• Remaining delegates from Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the Americas

School & Club Collaborations

• Co-led workshops introducing MUN as a tool for environmental advocacy

Post-Forum Ripple Effect

• 2 new offline conferences in Singapore/Calcutta, India founded by delegates (launching phase) & 2 new online conferences (DMUN Defense Forum + DMUN Innovation Forum)
• Multiple grassroots sustainability projects initiated globally — school recycling systems, urban clean-ups
• At least 15 delegates established mentorship or collaboration links with speakers

Speaker Impact Metrics

• UN Engagement Guide (Lily) downloaded by 100% of attendees; 5 successfully applied to youth climate programs
• MUN Building Strategies (Jacob) led to 3 new school MUN clubs within 3 months
• Governance & Policy (Anthony) created post-event communication pipeline with Malaysian policymakers

Institutional Recognition & Growth

• Pending PAJSK International-Level Certification from Malaysia’s Ministry of Education — demonstrating potential for official co-curricular recognition and continued program impact
• Formal partnerships with Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar and HLCE Resource Center for sustained youth climate programming
• Featured on MyMUN, one of the largest MUN platforms in the world, significantly increasing international visibility and credibility

Digital & Media Reach

• @dmunsf.official Instagram achieved 73.4k views and reach, and gained 284 organic followers during the campaign — reflecting strong engagement and content resonance
• Produced 6 professional-grade promotional videos featuring speakers and program highlights

Personal & Organizational Milestones

• Appointed by DMUN Foundation as a Permanent Organizer of Programs Officer, offered a long-term leadership role in youth-focused initiatives

Skills Development Outcomes

• Public Speaking & Confidence: 70%+ self-reported improvement
• Networking: 90% made at least one professional contact
• Project Readiness: 60%+ left with clear next steps for climate action

Personal Reflection

Starting DMUNSF felt like trying to build a bridge across a stormy sea with nothing but a flimsy piece of string and some toothpicks. I had to convince 20 people scattered across Malaysia and the world to believe in a vision that didn’t yet exist. Not every message landed—some politely declined, others were skeptical—and some nights I stared at my laptop thinking, Did I just waste hours chasing ghosts? Balancing outreach, logistics, and my own personal felt like walking on a tight-rope that’s on fire 24/7.

The moments I felt utterly exposed, wondering if my energy and persistence were enough, like a constant 𝑘 in a first-order reaction—sometimes slow, sometimes unpredictable, but always essential to driving the forum forward. I remember sending a late-night follow-up to a potential speaker, my heart pounding, hoping they’d say yes. When they did, it felt like catching a small spark of light in the dark, a tiny dopamine ping in my brain.

To shove all that chaos into action, I leaned heavily on my incredible team, trusting them to take ownership and shine. We brainstormed over Zoom calls at odd hours, shared laughter and frustration in equal measure, and found solutions together. A canceled speaker? We improvised. A misaligned workshop? We rewrote it on the spot. I learned quickly that leadership isn’t about doing it all (kudos to my overachieving tendencies :/). I just really really wanted to lift the people in my life to their maximum potential, and found out that energy is contagious, people notice and pick up on that 😀

Through the process, I discovered: impact is about enabling others, not just achieving personal goals. I watched my team members—once hesitant or unsure—take initiative, propose bold ideas, and grow in confidence. Coordinating with delegates from 15+ countries taught me cultural sensitivity (one of my mates got caught in the middle of the Kashmir conflict in India while we were organizing halfway, really puts you in perspective), diplomacy, and patience. Each challenge, each hiccup was a golden-laiden opportunity to think creatively, adapt quickly, and grow alongside the people I was leading.

This journey also echoed my personal story. As a child, I struggled with low self-esteem, social hesitation, and Irlen Syndrome, meaning I had spent years watching others step forward while I remained on the sidelines. DMUNSF was my chance to flip the script. By building a platform that allowed delegates and staff to find their voice, I was also helping myself and others realize the potential that sometimes hides behind fear or self-doubt. Watching my team shine reminded me of my own transformation: from a shy, hesitant student hiding beneath rose-tinted glasses to someone who now orchestrates a global forum that empowers hundreds of youth.

Leading DMUNSF was exhausting, exhilarating, and humbling all at once. The ever dreadful knot in my stomach even on weekends (I was supposed to rest, sorry mom!), the urgent emails, the frantic problem-solving—they were incredibly worth it. I personally witnessed the moment delegates started connecting with speakers, launching initiatives, and building their own sustainability projects, and felt a thousand tiny warmths in my chest :)) I realized that true leadership is messy, collaborative, and alive, and the thrill comes not from the accolades but from seeing others step into their own power.

Looking forward, DMUNSF has reshaped how I see challenges: forever as opportunities for innovation, growth, and connection. I hope to continue building platforms that amplify youth voices, foster teamwork, and create tangible change, carrying the lessons from this forum into every future endeavor. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, dream big, just do it (you don’t lose anything) and a have team you trust with your life. I can guarantee you even the most daunting dreams can spark movements that ripple across the world!

Tips for Others

1. Dream Big. Start Messy.
   DMUNSF didn’t exist. My team was scattered across time zones, and most nights I stared at my inbox thinking, “Is anyone even reading these emails? Did I just waste 3 hours?” But when you throw your energy and passion out there, people feel it. Even if the plan is half-baked or some things flop, momentum builds, like a tiny spark catching on dry leaves, or a chain reaction with a tiny 𝑘 constant: unpredictable, slow at times, but essential to moving forward.
2. Build Your Tribe. Trust Your Team.
   I had 20 incredible humans across Malaysia and the world. Some days we argued, some days we laughed until we cried on 2 AM Zoom calls. I’ll never forget one session when half the team was panicking over a misaligned workshop. I just let them brainstorm, and boom, ideas popped like molecules colliding perfectly in a reaction. Leadership isn’t about doing it all. It is about letting others shine and cheering the loudest when they do.
3. Embrace Chaos.
   Canceled speakers, tech glitches, last-minute rewrites. Yep, it all happened. I panicked, chewed on my pen, even muttered some chemical equations in frustration just to feel productive (𝐸=𝑚𝑐^2 is shockingly comforting sometimes). Chaos is terrifying, exhausting, and sometimes hilariously absurd, but that is exactly where growth lives. It’s like trying to surf in choppy waters. You wipe out, get soaked, but eventually you catch a wave and feel unstoppable.
4. Turn Inspiration into Action.
   Don’t just have a “wow moment” and move on. Give people the tools, contacts, and step-by-step guides to make it real. I remember one delegate messaging me a month later saying they launched a school recycling initiative because of a speaker contact I gave them. That is the magic, seeing sparks turn into flames halfway across the world, like a perfectly balanced redox reaction unfolding, knowing you had a tiny hand in it.
5. Keep Going. Reflect. Recharge.
   Some days it feels like you’re running on adrenaline, coffee, and stubbornness alone. Celebrate the wins, even the tiny ones. Notice the sparks, the excited DM messages, the first delegate stepping up, the team laughing at a Zoom blunder. Take a deep breath. Breathe in the chaos, breathe out the pride. Leadership is messy, exhausting, hilarious, terrifying, and when it works, it lights everyone else on fire too. And yes, sometimes I still forget to eat lunch, lose track of time, or drop the ball on minor details, but that’s part of being human. Like catalyzing a reaction that you never thought you could start, but once it goes, it just keeps spreading.

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Rishi Gautham

Waste To Wealth: Oyster Mushroom Cultivation Using Waste Cardboard And Paper As Susbtrate

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I am Rishi Gautham. As a 12th grader and a 17 year old, I have lived and studied in the small but growing metropolis of Kochi, India for most of my life. I am a man of many interests but with all focused on a common goal; addressing the growing need for climate action. As an avid science enthusiast, aspiring economist, and an up and coming environmental advocate, I have dedicated my Climate Leaders Fellowship project to use cardboard and paper waste as a substrate to grow edible and nutritious oyster mushrooms.

Project Background & Overview

What specific problem were you addressing in your community?

With the growing world population and landfills overflowing, Waste management is one of the biggest issues of today. The world produces 2.1-2.3 billion tonnes of waste per year, with india accounting for 62 million tonnes per year alone. Paper and cardboard waste account for 25-30% of Municipal Waste collected in India annually. These enormous amounts of waste sit in landfills, where they are burned, releasing toxic fumes and CO2 while simultaneously degrading the land and affecting the surrounding citizens. My community and city also faces effects of these problems, especially in the recent incident of a fire breaking out in a major landfill which affected hundreds of people. I wished to address these problems in a small scale as an individual, with the goal of expanding it in the future

Why does that problem matter to you personally?

My home overflows with old newspapers which no one ever reads. We have no space to keep them and no time to dispose of them. I had also recently moved houses so the terrace was stocked with old cardboard boxes which had no use whatsoever except to store more trash. Seeing this problem, I came up with the idea of using cardboard and paper waste to cultivate mushrooms, thereby effectively using unusable material to produce nutritious food. Moreover, waste management is a more personal issue for me as I see its effects everyday while walking home from school. Streets overflowing with waste is a common sight and I wanted to address it in some way where I can have real impact.

Project Execution

What did you do for your project?

I collected cardboard and paper from my home and worked with the Biosciences department of the Rajagiri College of Social Science (Autonomous) to learn the process of cultivating mushrooms. It was more of an experiment as the college had doesnt grow mushrooms with cardboard and paper but rather used paddy straw. It involved boiling and drying of the waste, which is then packed into bags along with mushroom spawn to be grown at home. The bags later produced mushroom fruitings. The experiment was a success and I presented my findings to the Biology Department of my school. As a form of community outreach, I trained 6 other students from my grade with the Biosciences department of the College to grow mushrooms.

What actions did you take to address the problem?

• Conducted surveys and interviewed students to learn about how they manage waste and their knowledge of the local waste management system
• Experimented an relatively less researched method of growing mushrooms
• Shared my findings to fellow students and raised climate awareness
• Trained fellow students to grow mushrooms and shared knowledge on the science behind mushroom cultivation

Where and how did you implement your project?

The project was implemented in school and in the college that I worked with. It took me a few months to cordinate and organise activities and get support for this project. I used presentations, casual conversations and hands-on training sessions to spread awareness and engage students on this project

Who were your target audiences and how did you engage them?

My target audiences were my fellow classmates as they were easily approachable and had the drive to explore and experiment. I engaged them using persentations and conversations and a few volunteered for a hands-on training session. Later, I plan to engage a wider target audience to grow more awareness on mushroom cultivation to combat climate change

Impact

What types of contributions did you collect?

• Collected significant amounts of cardboard and paper
• Grew edible and nutritious mushrooms at home
• Educational materials on mushroom cultivation

What were the results? (Include data based results & feedback or observations)

• Successfully grew mushrooms in my own home using the beds I prepared with cardboad and paper waste
• Cardboard box of a single Air-Conditioning Unit along with 15+ newspapers were used to prepare 20+ medium-sized mushroom beds (around half a kilogram each)
• Engaged friends to grow mushrooms and raised awareness on climate change and mushroom cultivation. They found the project very interesting and were very excited at all stages of the training session.

Which organizations or mentors did you work with?

I mainly worked with my School and the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous). I also recieved invaluable guidance and support from teachers, friends, family and the CLF cohort and mentors.

How did these partnerships help your project succeed?

This is the first time I created and implemented a project like this, so all the support, knowledge, guidance and just simple reassurance that everyone gave really made me go through with this project. Considering the various setbacks and delays I had, these partnerships made me not give up and push forward. The college and the faculty I worked with provided expert advice and guidance which was the whole reason I could even do this project.

Personal Reflection

Did you receive any help or inspiration from other members of your Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort?

100%! Although i decided to do this project on my own, I could never have done it without the support of my fellows and mentors. They provided valuable feedback and advice, and inspired me to continue with my project after each step. The mentors offered ideas and supported me throughout, which was of great help. They were really considerate and accomodated my frequent delays due to the long duration of the project.

How did participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship make you feel?

For my first-time working with such a huge group of like-minded students working towards the same goal, It was the best experience I ever had. Not even once I felt discouraged or demotivated. I was greatly inspired by my fellow members and their support and encouragement made me feel that I could tackle any obstacle in my way. Working with a big group of diverse people all focused on the same goal as me, created a feeling of community in me which I greatly cherished.

What are you most proud of regarding your project?

This project and Fellowship holds a special place in my heart as this is the first time I have done something substantial by myself. I am most proud of the fact that I never gave up despite several setbacks and that I was able to create real impact within my school and community. This has inspired me to innovate more and step out of my comfort zone. I will continue to try and implement bigger projects in the future.

Tips for Others

• Be steadfast and focus on your ultimate goal
• You will face a lot of challenges and things might not go to plan, but never give up and always find an alternative or solution
• Always have a smile and interact with people with kindness. it goes a long way and helps to build relationships
• Continously innovate and be curious to learn
• Seek partnerships and work with experts who can understand your needs and help you realise your goals
• Engage your audience in a creative way and get their early support so that you can use their help later
• Be open to criticisms and feedback as they can make you find faults that you never even noticed and help you to improve.

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Sidh Gupta

Fast Fashion’s Hidden Cost: Teaching Sustainability to the Next Generation

Project Background & Overview

The specific problem I have addressed and still am addressing in my community is the environmental impact of fast fashion. Fast fashion produces large amounts of waste and pollution, contributing significantly to climate change. Globally, the fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of annual carbon emissions, and the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned every second. Not every hour, not every minute, but every second! In Staten Island and surrounding areas, I have observed many people frequently buying clothes of mediocre quality just to follow the latest trends, even when they already have plenty of clothing. This habit leads to a lot of discarded clothes that end up in landfills, polluting the environment and putting pressure on local waste management systems. The production of these garments also consumes vast amounts of water and energy, worsening the environmental impact. Not only that, but there is countless evidence of companies in the past using child labour and companies that still are. This is how those very companies are able to sell pieces of clothing for so cheap.

This problem matters to me personally because I care deeply about protecting the environment and preserving natural spaces where I enjoy camping and experiencing nature. Seeing people buy excessive amounts of cheap clothing just to keep up with trends, only to throw them away quickly, feels wasteful and unsustainable. It contributes to pollution and climate change, which threaten the health of our planet and future generations. I want to help raise awareness about the hidden environmental costs of fast fashion and encourage my community to make more mindful choices that support sustainability.

Project Execution

My group and I spent a week researching and learning about fast fashion ourselves to understand its environmental impact thoroughly. After that, we planned educational lessons aiming at raising awareness about the dangers of fast fashion, especially its long-term effects on the planet. As part of the lessons, we included a mini project where students created thank you cards using recycled fabrics to emphasize the importance of reusing materials. After rehearsing our lessons, we taught several 2nd to 5th-grade classes about how fast fashion trends contribute to environmental degradation and why mindful consumption matters.

To address the problem of fast fashion, I first dedicated time to deeply understanding fast fashion by researching its environmental impact. This helped me build a foundation to educate others effectively. We implemented our project in local classrooms by working directly with 3rd to 5th grade students through a partnership with Service in Schools. In addition to the lessons and recycled fabric project, we also created educational materials like posters and handouts to reinforce the message. We engaged the students through interactive discussions and hands-on activities to make the topic relatable and memorable. By combining learning with interactive and fun teaching, I aimed to inspire young students to think critically about their clothing choices and the impact on the environment.

Impact

For our project, we received recycled fabric donations from Jessica Schreiber, the founder and owner of FABSCRAP, a nonprofit organization that works to educate and minimize textile waste from landfills. These fabric scraps were essential for our classroom activity, where students used them to create thank you cards. In addition to the materials, we also dedicated volunteer hours to preparing lesson plans, rehearsing our presentations, and delivering them across multiple classrooms.

We taught our lessons to approximately three classes, reaching over 100 elementary school students in total. One of the most rewarding results was seeing the genuine glow on the students’ faces as they learned something new and engaged with the hands-on activity. Many students were surprised to learn about the hidden environmental cost of clothing and showed curiosity and enthusiasm during the discussions. The recycled fabric thank you card project helped reinforce the message in a fun and creative way, making sustainability feel accessible and meaningful even at a young age.

For this project, my group and I collaborated with Service in Schools, which connected us with classrooms and provided a platform to implement our lessons. The support we received from them was instrumental to the success of our project. They helped us develop leadership skills through training sessions and guided us on how to communicate effectively with younger students. They also played a major role in organizing our school visits and coordinating our lesson plans with teachers.

To reiterate what I mentioned above, we also received support from Jessica Schreiber, the founder of FABSCRAP, who generously provided the recycled fabrics we used for our classroom activity. Although we did not work directly with FABSCRAP as an organization, Jessica’s contribution played a key role in the success of our hands-on project.

Personal Reflection

While I didn’t directly collaborate with other fellows, the overall structure and support of the Climate Leaders Fellowship helped keep me motivated and focused throughout the project.

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel like I was truly making a difference. I felt proud knowing I was inspiring younger students to think more critically about their choices and the environment. At the same time, the experience allowed me to expand my own knowledge of climate issues, especially the impact of fast fashion. It was empowering to be both a learner and a leader throughout the process. I’m most proud of being able to teach others, especially young students, about a topic that isn’t widely known or talked about. Fast fashion’s impact on the environment often goes unnoticed, and it felt meaningful to shine a light on the issue in a way that was understandable and engaging. Knowing that I may have sparked curiosity or inspired someone to make more sustainable choices is what makes this project so rewarding.

Tips for Others

• Take action and don’t be a bystander—every effort counts.
• Be determined and stay committed, even when challenges arise.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help or guidance when you need it.
• Participate in nonprofits and organizations that work for positive change.
• Don’t be afraid to fail—mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.

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Things You Throw Away Could Feed A Family

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Hi! My name is Tess Guralnick. I’m 16 years old and live in Los Angeles, California. I go to deToledo High School and serve as the Youth Council President for the Encino Neighborhood Council. I care a lot about the environment, storytelling, and making change that feels real and personal. I like finding creative ways to connect people with solutions that actually work, especially when it comes to issues like climate and inequality.

Project Background & Overview

My project focused on a mix of two problems in my community—food insecurity and recyclable waste. In Los Angeles, a lot of families are struggling to afford groceries, while at the same time, tons of recyclable materials are thrown away daily. I thought, what if the materials people usually toss could actually help someone earn money? It matters to me because I’ve seen how many people in this city are trying to get by with very little, while others don’t even think twice about what they throw away. I wanted to turn something small and often ignored into something useful and hopeful.

Project Execution

I created a recycling redistribution program. I collected clean recyclables like cans and bottles, sorted and packed them, and gave them to families in need. These families could take the materials to a recycling center and earn cash. It was a simple idea, but it worked. I wanted to remove any shame people might feel and make it about giving people something useful—not just asking for donations. I handed out materials through local food distribution centers and nonprofits I already had relationships with. I also designed a flyer that explained how much the materials were worth and how to redeem them, so people understood it clearly. My goal audience was families dealing with financial insecurity, and I tried to meet them in places where they already felt comfortable and supported.

Impact

Over the course of the project, I collected and passed on over 250 pounds of clean recyclables. Most families made somewhere between $50 and $100 from what I gave them. It was quick, practical support that could make a real difference in someone’s week.

I worked with WISE Readers to Leaders, a literacy and mentoring nonprofit I tutor for, and also got support from the Encino Neighborhood Council. These partners helped me organize drop-off locations and spread the word. Having people in my corner really helped the project move forward.

Personal Reflection

Being part of the Climate Leaders Fellowship gave me accountability and inspiration. It helped me realize that my ideas don’t have to be huge to matter—they just need to be thoughtful and rooted in community. I also loved seeing the different projects from other students in the program. Everyone had their own way of helping.

What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t rely on money or donations. I used waste—something people ignore—and gave it a second life that actually helped others.

Tips for Others

• Start small.
• Work with organizations you trust.
• Make it easy for people to understand.
• Keep everything clean and safe.
• Track what you’re doing so you can explain your impact.
• Be consistent.
• Think about dignity and tone—make people feel empowered.
• Use digital tools when you can.
• Ask for help early.
• Don’t overthink it—just begin.
• Remember why you care. It keeps you going.

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Planting Ideas, Growing Impact: Turning School Waste Into Seed Paper For Good

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Hi! My name is Vishrudh Hariharan, and I am a 16-year-old who lives in Chandler, Arizona. I enjoy spending time with my friends, family, listening to music, watching movies, and also volunteer.

Project Background & Overview

At the end of each school year many paper folders are often still in usable condition and get thrown away. This contributes to a growing issue of paper waste which makes up an estimated 10 to 25% of all waste in the U.S. This led me to launch a small-scale upcycling project which turns school folders into handmade seed paper greeting cards, which would be planted to grow wildflowers. The project helped to reduce waste an promote environmental awareness while also giving back to residents of a local memory care facility.

Project Execution

I began first by collecting gently used folders from classmates and teachers that were going to throw it away near the end of the school year. I researched how to make seed paper at home then pulped the paper and embedded wildflower seed into it. I handcrafted greeting cards using this paper which were then donated to a memory care center. The cards were designed to be planted in soil where they would decompose and grow flowers which symbolized renewal and kindness. The whole project from collecting to card delivery was managed locally using recycled materials and simple tools found at home.

Impact

This project diverted paper waste that was going to landfill. I was able to engage with classmates and teacher in the donation effort and created handmade seed paper cards. These were donated to a local memory care facility where they were well received by the residents and staff. The project helped to spark interest among peers and teachers in sustainable crafting and highlighted how small actions can have both environmental and emotional impact. For the project I did not receive any funding at all, But I still contributed several hours of my own time and repurposed all materials.

Personal Reflection

This project has been an eye-opening experience that showed how even small ideas can create meaningful change. At first, I simply wanted to reduce paper waste at my school, but then I realized that bringing joy to residents of the memory care facility and inspire others to think differently about waste. I learned the value of resourcefulness, as I had worked hard to collect donations and recycled materials. This experience has motivated me to keep pursuing creative, eco-friendly solutions and to encourage other to take actions even if it’s a small step towards a better world.

Tips for Others

• If you want to start a small project to help your community, start small and focus on what is easy to do.
• Don’t wait for perfect conditions or big fundraisers; even using simple materials and tools can still make a meaningful impact.
• Build relationships as their support can help guide you through your process.
• Keep track of your progress with photos stories or simple data to share the success of your work and motivate others.

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Choyoung Kim

Young Activist Conducts Corporate Case Studies On Chinese Firms To Analyze Their Esg Policies

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Hi, I’m Choyoung, and I am a 17-year-old high school student from Korea. I am currently a rising senior attending Shanghai American School in China. I am deeply interested in the intersection of business and sustainability, especially in corporate sustainability and ESG policies, and how these can contribute to genuine sustainable action. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and being involved in my community.

Project Background & Overview

The specific problem I aimed to tackle through my project was the carbon emissions and waste generated by industrialization. Shanghai, renowned as one of China’s most vibrant and economically robust cities, served as the backdrop for my observations. Behind the bustling urban life and the gleaming skyscrapers, I noticed the darker reality that unfolded within my community—the propensity towards excessive waste generation and pollution fueled by a culture of overproduction and overconsumption. Hence, I saw the urgent need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the environmental impact. Recognizing the financial capacity present in my community, I identified the opportunity for investment in environmental initiatives and the adoption of eco-friendly practices. Hence, I decided to focus my project on researching and immersing myself in exploring avenues for promoting greener solutions through sustainable finance.

Project Execution

I wanted my project to be an extension of the work I completed in the Spring 2024 cohort, which was an Instagram platform that promoted the concept of sustainable finance to a broader audience, with the motivation to advocate for more funds and investments into climate action. Therefore, I decided to launch a sequel series on the same platform, dedicated to exploring corporate case studies. Through this series, I aimed to conduct investigations and analyses on the sustainability and ESG policies of real Chinese companies.

I aimed to educate and inspire a wide audience, including the general public and large corporations, on actionable steps they could take to combat climate change. For corporations, this involved increasing transparency and credibility in their sustainability commitments and ESG reporting.

As the project unfolded, I uploaded 7 additional posts on the Instagram platform, each highlighting a corporate case study featuring renowned firms such as Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent. I hoped that creating these case studies would further promote the practices of sustainable finance and motivate the public to advocate for more funds and investments towards climate action, as well as for more spotlight towards firms that uphold sustainable policies.

Impact

By the end of the fellowship, I had accumulated over 40 active followers on my Instagram page, more than 150 likes, and most of all, 18 posts and infographics published on the platform. Additionally, I engaged with posts from other accounts that are advocating for similar causes.

Personal Reflection

The fellowship provided lots of support and guidance that helped me through various stages of my project. The cohort meetings held during the course of the fellowship were beneficial and constructive throughout the implementation of my project and guided me through the whole process. Also, the active communication on the Discord servers helped me connect and interact with like-minded individuals who share the same passions as me.

Overall, participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship was an exciting and meaningful experience as it allowed me to take the wheel to advocate for awareness of climate change. The experience and knowledge I gained from this fellowship were truly one of a kind. I am also leaving this program with the discovery of a new area of interest: sustainable finance, and I am hoping to expand this further in my future endeavors. I am excited to continue dedicating myself to combating the issue of climate change in the future.

Tips for Others

Some advice I have for future participants who wish to do a project involving the usage of social media is to focus on engagement and theme. I created a schedule to ensure that I posted content regularly to engage my followers and attract new ones. Similarly, I made sure to add relevant hashtags under all of my posts to increase the reach of my posts.

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Muslima Kurbonova

Turning Waste Into Change

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Hey guys! My name is Muslima Kurbonova, and I’m from Surxondaryo, Uzbekistan. I am a sophomore at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY. I am an active reader and find joy in learning. When I’m not reading a good fiction novel or practicing new skills, you might find me outdoors enjoying nature 😉

Project Background & Overview

The issue I chose to address was the reduction of textile and paper waste. I live in an apartment complex, and individuals frequently leave good condition books and clothing for others to take. They would usually stay for a few days before being thrown out by the superintendent. And, as a huge reader, seeing good books thrown away bothered me. Thus I took a call to action with my amazing team during the spring cycle of the CLF.

Project Execution

For my project, I collaborated with an amazing team of students from my school and another school in the area; and our initial target audience was high-school students like us. We began by sending out a survey that assessed people’s understanding about recycling, specifically textile and paper materials. The poll was distributed via a flyer with a QR code that students and staff scanned with their devices. I also posted the same fliers in my apartment for tenants to scan. After receiving all of the responses, we began planning a clothing and book drive. After a few weeks, we began the drive at Midwood High School and an apartment complex. During this time, I also created an animated short that informed viewers about textile and paper waste, recycling methods, and much more through Monarch and Bumblebee’s conversation.

Impact

We received roughly 100 responses to our survey, with people from three different schools participating. And as a result of our drives, we were able to collect many bags of clothing and a handful of books, which we donated to a Salvation Army charity store in Brooklyn, the proceeds of which go to Adult Rehabilitation Centers. And as a result of my video, not only did we educate people about the dangers of such wastes, but we also helped them find a means to avoid them through recycling.

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship was such an eye-opening experience. It made me realize how many issues I had overlooked. This fellowship also enabled me to build new relationships with not only people in my community, but people from all around the world. Members of my cohort have absolutely motivated me in a variety of ways, one of the most prominent of which is speaking up. I admired their ability to speak openly and express their ideas. They also encouraged me to speak up, which really helped me not just with my project but also with the world around me. The most proud moment of my project was when all of the survey responses came in; my team and I had not expected that many people would take the time to fill out the survey. Overall, I will absolutely participate in the Climate Leaders Fellowship again in the near future!

Tips for Others

• Find a reason to stay motivated:
  Procrastination can only get you so far; if you want the greatest results for your project, work on it consistently and with effort. Don’t try to put things together at the last minute.
• Speak up in meetings:
  Talking to people from all over the world can be intimidating, but during your project, it will be your greatest asset. Trust me. You are not alone; if you bring up an issue during a meeting, you will find that there are many others who are experiencing the same problem. There are also many people who can assist you and provide suggestions.
• Do not be afraid of rejection:
  Chances are, an organization, corporation, or school will say no several times before saying yes. So keep trying, and don’t avoid doing something because you’re afraid they’ll say no. That will get you nowhere. And if they continuously say no, try another method.

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Six For The Planet

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Hello! I am Giovanna Leiva, a high-school senior from Yonkers, NY. Ever since my freshmen year, I have been actively devoted to helping out my community little by little, from cleaning out an invasive species at a local lake, to helping build garden beds for an environmental club. Aside from environmental work, I enjoy music, fashion, and expressing myself. I love finding new ways to help give back to the world, and I can’t wait to tell you about my journey as a Climate Leaders Fellow.

Project Background & Overview

Our project was driven by the goal of helping both our local communities and the environment in meaningful ways. As a group of passionate students from across New York, we collaborated to create and lead initiatives that raised awareness, promoted sustainability, and encouraged environmental action. Our idea was to focus on the things that our community needed most, and attempt to tackle them with different sub-projects that were led by each student in the group.

Project Execution

Our project helped the community and the environment in a few important ways. Two students came together to create the climate café, which allowed people to talk about climate change while enjoying coffee. It encouraged people to think more about the issues in our community and how they can help. Another student and I also brought the first recycling bin to our school, which helped reduce waste and encouraged others to start recycling. Another of our group members in West Nyack helped her community by restoring the school gardens not only made the school look better but also created a space where students can learn about nature and how it benefits the environment. One student helped by cleaning up parks for our community and helped make public spaces cleaner and safer for everyone. Lastly, a duo in our group taught second graders about climate change gave them a solid foundation for understanding the environment and how to protect it in the future. All together, we were able to execute our project in an engaging and helpful way for our communities across New York.

Impact

For our impact, I’ll focus mainly on the project that I led alongside another student in our group. We created a recycling initiative at our school called Sustain-A-Pack, which aimed to reduce plastic waste and promote better recycling habits. As a result of our efforts, we were able to collect an entire bag filled with recycled water bottles, around 70 bottles, from the school’s new recycling bin.

Beyond my project, we also saw positive changes from other group members’ work. There was noticeably less plastic being thrown in the trash, school gardens looked cleaner and more cared for, and more students were talking about climate change and showing interest in helping the environment. Together, our projects made a real difference in raising awareness and improving our school and community.

Personal Reflection

Throughout this project, I’ve realized that it’s very important to take care of your community. I learned a lot about taking care of my environment and how I can help it little by little, even if it’s a small change. I truly believe that everyone should take the initiative to be an advocate for the world around them. This program helped me make that change and I am so proud of myself for doing so, and making my school and my city a better place.

Tips for Others

My tip for others is to keep pushing forward, even if people try to hold you back from doing what you want to do. Always focus on making good decisions in your life, and don’t let anyone stop you from following what you truly believe in. I faced a lot of challenges during this project because my school and community didn’t take me seriously, but I still managed to make a big impact through the choices I made.

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Xin Ying Lu

Trash To Treasure: The Power Of Composting

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My name is Xin Ying Lu, I am 17 years old and I live in New York City! New York, the heart of dazzling lights, home to the Broadway Theater District, a dynamic place to live. I have numerous interests, which ranges from shopping and hanging out with friends to watching interesting history facts about ancient Rome on my bed alone! I also like to organize and problem solve, that’s why I joined the Climate Leaders Fellowship! As a person who loves to hike and deeply cares about the environment, it saddens me what has happened to the climate. In this project Nurzahan and I tried our best to educate as many people about ways we CAN help the environment! Giving back to nature!

Project Background & Overview

According to Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center, around 72 billion pounds of food waste is lost each year! Twenty one percent of landfill volume is food waste! I remember one time sitting in the cafeteria observing how some students threw out most of the food on their plates, random scraps of food everywhere on the floor as the lunch ladies would yell in frustration. As I stepped towards the garbage can to throw out my water bottle, I realized many kids were throwing their food scraps either in recycling bins or missing the trash bins completely. I knew that something had to change as I glanced over at one of the lunch ladies cleaning up the mess.

Project Execution

Our first step to this project was to research food waste in New York City schools. I needed to become an “expert” at this topic before informing others. My team and I decided to create a survey with 260 responses to understand what students in our school knew about food waste and its impact on the environment. From this survey we concluded that many students didn’t really understand the importance of recycling, composting and what role food waste played in landfills! This led my team and I to brainstorm our next steps to tackle this issue.

We decided to set up a meeting with our principal, after getting information from the lunch room that all bins no matter the label recycle or trash were all put into ONE plastic bag and thrown out in the same bag. This was an issue as it showed no matter what efforts were put in organizing the waste it would just end up in the landfills. So was there even recycling and composting in the first place? With our principal we discussed the problems that we observed from the lunch room, and we came up with posters to spread awareness about this problem.

We also created a website to inform students about the importance of recycling and composting. Establishing new bins and a new composting system for the following year. We turned our compost into use for our school garden! Creating a stand for the lunch room to inform students and allow them to win special prizes in the following year, which will help engage students to learn more about our environment!

Impact

This project was a huge success as working with the Green Team and my principal made the process even smoother, they supported us throughout this whole project and provided us with the materials that we needed. The posters that we placed in the hallways attracted students to visit our website and around 211 kids showed interest in learning about ways food waste harms the environment. Students at our school began to be cautious with wasting food, the lunch room staff reported positive results as they noticed kids eating what they intended to eat. This project allowed us to spread awareness on food waste and the importance of recycling and composting to better our environment!

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me realize that anything can be possible. I stepped out of my comfort zone to tackle something that always caught my attention. I realized that I didn’t need to be a certified expert to handle these problems, as long as I had the drive to make a change, an impact, I’m able to do it.

I remember being in one of the meetings where we had to share how our projects were going. This one girl stood out to me because she spoke with confidence and how eager she was to make her project a long lasting, impactful one. Which inspired me to gain confidence that I, myself, my team could make an impact, even if it was starting small in our school.

Tips for Others

• Have confidence, believe in yourself!
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Have a plan laid out, plan out what you need to do/complete week 1, week 2 and on!
• Ask questions during meetings
• Go do some research on your topic/issue!

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Skylla McArthur

Cigarette Butts & Preventing Harm To Marine Life

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My name is Skylla McArthur, and I am a rising senior in high school class of 2026. I live in San Francisco, California, and I am seventeen. I play volleyball, surf, debate, and am passionate about sciences, specifically environmental science and sustainability.

Project Background & Overview

I am addressing the issue of littered cigarette butts releasing toxins to marine life; specifically smokers from my local Veterans hospital. Residents that were once advised medically to smoke and became reliant upon it now live on a smoke-free campus, having no place to go except in the area surrounding it with limited ash trays or even trash cans. This leads to a high number of littered butts on the ground. The hospital is a mere four blocks from the ocean, and the litter is often swept up in gutters and ends up in the water. The cellulose acetate plastic in cigarettes takes over 10 years to break down, and nicotine, lead, arsenic, and other toxic substances pollutes and releases toxins into the water. Fish, turtles, seabirds, and other marine life are often harmed by the potentially lethal chemicals. This problem matters personally to me because I live a block away from the VA hospital and I have personally witnessed the large amount of litter surrounding the area. Many cigarette butts are littered down my block and past it.

Project Execution

For my project I created ash trays and infographics around the hospital and the neighborhood to minimize the amount of litter on the floor. My target audience was the VA residents and I engaged them by making my project easily accessible.

Impact

I collected over 500 cigarette butts (and counting) in the two months the ash trays have been up. In addition I received positive notes from community members all over the district.

Personal Reflection

I received great feedback from the members of my cohort at CLF and also at the summit in Colorado on how to implement and maximize my outreach. Participating in CLF made me feel supported and heard by other people who are as passionate for sustainability as I am all around the world and reminded me that I am not alone. I am proud that my project was able to make a small difference, because over time those small differences will add up and I hope to expand across the city in the coming years.

Tips for Others

I would recommend taking your time to outline your project thoroughly, create your objectives beforehand, and consider all the feedback you receive, because it might not be anything you had previously thought about.

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Mary Mekonnen

From Waste To Wonder

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Hi! My name is Mariamawit Mekonnen, but everyone knows me as Mary. I’m fifteen, and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. I love exploring and trying new things, whether it’s looking for the next show to binge or finding a new book to obsess over. Checking out restaurants is also one of my favorite activities, especially if there are french fries on the menu. You’ll sometimes see me on a volleyball court or teaching little kids at my church as well.

Project Background & Overview

One day, when I looked around my school cafeteria, I noticed that no one was putting their trash in the right place. I noticed this same issue at other schools I have visited as well. There were trash and recycling bins available, but they were not being used properly. I felt as though I had to do something, so I decided to create a project towards raising awareness for composting. By adding something as simple as a new bin in cafeterias and encouraging others to put their leftovers in the right place, we could make a real impact, benefitting not only schools but the world. Composting, for example, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than fifty percent. In an effort to bring more change, I later collaborated with Compostology, a youth-led organization that diverts food waste in schools from incinerators to compost facilities. Working with them, we were able to directly address the serious issue of food waste in schools, a problem doesn’t just affect me, but my peers, my community, and everyone around me. Every day, fields of crops are left unattended, and restaurants carelessly discard leftovers. These small issues eventually pile up to create dangerous greenhouse gases. These gases, though they may seem insignificant, lead to the extremely high temperatures we see today, just one of the many environmental challenges.

Project Execution

As ways to raise awareness, I designed and created posters and informed my community through discussion. I knew that I could not combat this issue by myself, so I contacted the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP) and spoke with a representative about addressing the growing issue of food waste. We discussed different methods on how to tackle it in school environments. That is also where I was introduced to Compostology, which led to my work with them. Though I considered expanding to the county level, my school remained my primary focus, making it easy to reach many people at once and share the benefits of composting. To engage them further, I designed colorful and eye-catching posters that highlighted the positive impact of composting.

Impact

Since my efforts were mainly centered on outreach, I was not able to collect many physical contributions. While I do not have tangible results, I received feedback on other methods I could use and many compliments! By partnering with MCDEP and Compostology, I was able to achieve the main goal of my project: to raise awareness about composting and create meaningful discussions.

Personal Reflection

I was deeply inspired by the stories and interviews on the Climate Leaders Fellowship website when choosing my project topic. They encouraged me to not be afraid to take charge and pursue what I believe is right. Being in an environment with peers my age who share the same mindset motivated and inspired me to continue addressing global issues. Beyond the impact of my work, I am most proud of reaching out and stepping out of my comfort zone. My passion for this issue allowed me to connect with like-minded people and develop multiple solutions to the ever-growing problem of food waste.

Tips for Others

Above all, my biggest piece of advice is to persist even when challenges arise. In order to accomplish great things and create an impact, you must stay committed and keep working toward solutions.

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Redesign, Rejection, & Recycle

Project Background & Overview

Within my community there is an overall lack of awareness of climate change and its effects, and as a result, there are limited ways the community can participate in battling the current climate crisis. I find this concerning as more natural disasters devastate smaller communities. The city of Leavenworth also struggles with higher levels of poverty compared to the rest of Leavenworth County. The US Census reported that Leavenworth County has a reported 7% of people who are below the poverty line, meanwhile the city of Leavenworth has a percentage of 12.3 of people that live in poverty. Paired with low awareness and limited access to eco-friendly services (such as recycling—Leavenworth currently does not offer curbside recycling pickup for its residents while having a free recycling center), Leavenworth struggles with closing the gap of offering services and also making them accessible and known. I believe it is my responsibility as a member in my community to make others aware of the ruin that climate change can wage against all of us.

Project Execution

My goal was to create a recycling program for my school while also raising awareness on issues that the climate crisis has been creating. I first started initiating conversation with my local climate club, Project Planet, and other students about their willingness to participate in a recycling program. Out of the seven students interviewed, six out of the seven reported that they would be willing to participate. From there, I started developing program ideas with Project Planet and our Special Education teacher, while being in constant communication with my administrators. It wasn’t until after five months of persistent reinvention and discussion with my administrators that the program got approved. In the meantime, I initiated an environmental Instagram account which released posts weekly (now monthly) detailing local climate issues. Both of my target audiences for these were younger members of my community, specifically high school students. By creating posts and having discussions with my student body, I was able to spread awareness and engage my audience.

Impact

Since the duration of my project spanned long before and shortly after the program, I had to invest a lot of time within it. During the program, I did about 30 hours of volunteering, which doesn’t even include the amount of meetings with administrators or discussion with my peers. The time investment was well rewarded though. After five months, my administrators approved the program and the Instagram account had gained some traction throughout the school. Some of the account’s posts had been reposted by students and student organizations, and had gained around fifteen new followers in the later weeks of April. Even though the account is still very small and I am still working on the program (even as I write this), I look forward to the future and broader impact this will have. While the impact right now is still developing, the awareness of students and teachers is improving. Most of all my success I attribute to the countless mentors and organizations that supported me through months of negotiation: Mrs. Romondo (our climate club’s sponsor), Mr. Arnold, the support of Project Planet along with the Climate Leadership Fellowship, and the many peers I was fortunate to discuss with. Without these organizations or mentors, I would not have been able to develop such a strong program and continue to negotiate with administrators. The advice and support I have received from everyone aforementioned helped me significantly and greatly carried the success of my project.

Personal Reflection

I really appreciate having the outlet for outsider perspectives that my CLF cohort offered. When a problem arose within my project (which often happened), I was able to discuss with other fellows on how to solve it. I was also fortunate to have very creative people in my cohort, their creativity and innovative project ideas inspired me. Overall, I felt very grateful and lucky to have the opportunity to participate in the fellowship. I am really proud of not only the impact that my project has but also the connections that I was able to form through it and the skills I was able to develop.

Tips for Others

My number one tip for someone who wants to do a project like mine, or is facing a lot of problems in their project is: be persistent, do not fear reinvention, and discuss with everyone. I guess that is technically three, but to me they are a harmonious blend. As someone who faced a lot of rejection in their project, I had to constantly remind myself to not give up but also had to consider why I was being rejected. I had to redevelop the program about four or five times until I finally got approval. What really assisted in making the final development so successful though, was considering everything that my administrator was saying and talking with peers and mentors.

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Veronica Movchan

Recycling Right

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My name is Veronica Movchan. I am a 16 year old student from Brooklyn New York. I’m passionate about environmental sustainability and social/ political justice.

Project Background & Overview

In my school community, single-use plastic waste is a constant problem- students frequently rely on plastic utensils, bottles, and packaging without considering the long-term effects. The EPA estimates that over 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, and much of it ends up in landfills or oceans. I wanted to address the gap between awareness and action, helping my peers understand how small individual choices can reduce plastic waste. This issue matters to me because our generation will inherit the environmental consequences of these habits, and I believe that education is the first step toward collective action.

Project Execution

I organized a series of tabling events at school during lunch periods, where students could take a short quiz on plastic waste, sign a pledge to adopt sustainable habits, and receive a “plastic-free challenge” card with practical tips. I promoted the event through morning announcements, flyers, and word of mouth. My target audience was high school students, and I engaged them by making the activity interactive.

Impact

Over the course of the project, I directly engaged more than 200 students, collecting over 150 signed pledges. Many students gave positive feedback, sharing that they learned something new about how plastic waste affects the environment. I worked independently, but I received advice from Climate Leaders Fellowship mentors on creating effective engagement materials. This guidance helped me refine my quiz, design the pledge cards, and ensure the language was accessible and motivating.

Personal Reflection

While I developed my project independently, hearing about other Fellows’ ideas in our cohort meetings was inspiring. Seeing so many creative approaches reminded me that environmental action can take many forms. Participating in the Fellowship gave me a sense of pride and agency- I realized that even small-scale projects can make a meaningful difference. I’m most proud of creating an event that made environmental action feel approachable and fun for my peers.

Tips for Others

• Start with one clear, specific goal.
• Choose an issue you personally care about.
• Make your event interactive, not just informational.
• Use simple, clear language to explain the problem.
• Promote your event well in advance.
• Include an action step, like a pledge or challenge.
• Partner with teachers or staff who can support logistics.

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How Climate Change Affects Our Health Globally And How To Prevent It

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My name is Dua Nadeem. I’m a 14-year-old student living in California with an interest in the STEAM fields, particularly biology and the arts. I enjoy reading, music, sports, as well as learning more about the world around me – especially the science behind how it works, and the role we play in protecting it.

Project Background & Overview

What specific problem were you addressing in your community?

In my community, I addressed a growing and critical problem: improper waste management.
When our waste is disposed of improperly, it pollutes our air, water, and land. From the loss of a great portion of our biodiversity to a concerning increase in health issues, improper waste management is one of the biggest contributors to what’s beginning to slip into our daily life. From more frequent fires and dead grass to birds that never come to your area, even the most unlikely aspects of our environment are being impacted by climate change, Although advancements in technology are critical in driving our world forward, it has come to a point where focusing on the survival of our world has become for essential than its growth.

Why does that problem matter to you personally?

Climate change is no longer a future crisis to be held off for later; it’s a present predicament. By 2029, the Earth is expected to permanently cross the 1.5°C threshold in our global average temperatures, leading to irreversible environmental damage. This number may seem small, but it means massive consequences. Although this change may seem minor in number, it will have a significant impact on Earth’s interconnected systems. This simple temperature change can increase both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, while also normalizing significant harmful impacts on our ecosystems, sea levels, and health. 20-30% of our species have a high potential to go extinct following this temperature increase, which applies to millions of species. Thermal expansion and melting ice will increase the sea level, contributing to coastal flooding and the saltwater contamination of our freshwater sources. Decreasing air quality, increased disease transmission, insecurity in food and water supplies, and worsening mental health are just a preview of the disastrous effects climate change makes possible.
And for me, it also means graduating from high school into a world permanently changed by our inaction. If we don’t do anything now, the consequences of climate change will only worsen in the future.
That’s why I decided to take action by educating my community on something within our reach: better waste management habits.

Project Execution

What did you do for your project? What actions did you take to address the problem?

My project aimed to educate younger kids in my city about the significant impact that climate change is having on the health of our planet and ourselves. I wanted to teach kids how to properly sort their waste, show them how even their small actions can contribute to protecting the planet, and empower them to integrate environmentally friendly waste management habits into their daily lives.
To do this, I created a fun, interactive experience that combined education with engagement, ensuring that climate action became a relatable, memorable part of their daily lives.

Where and how did you implement your project?

I implemented the project with the support of the Youth Action Committee (YAC) in my city, who gave me the stage to present during their Health & Safety Week summer camp. This allowed me to reach a young, open-minded audience and make climate education a part of broader health topics.

Who were your target audiences and how did you engage them?

My audience was primarily young students, ages 6–12. I engaged them with a presentation and questions that tested their knowledge of both waste management and climate change, then broke down climate health and waste management based on what they didn’t know to help them realize the urgency of the situation. A Kahoot quiz at the end assessed what they learned and challenged them to integrate environmentally friendly habits into their lifestyles.

I found that this age group was enthusiastic, curious, and surprisingly insightful. They were excited to learn, and even though their attention sometimes wandered, their energy and willingness to ask questions kept the session alive.

Impact

My project will allow the future generation in my city to adopt better waste management habits, overall lessening the harm the issue has on our environment and decreasing the harm that climate change has on the world. With the time and resources, I hope to expand this project on a larger scale — in terms of audience and content — so that it can contribute more against climate change.

What were the results? (Include data-based results & feedback or observations)

After the presentation, the kids understood waste management and the urgency to act on climate change increasingly better. Beforehand, they understood lightly what climate change was and how to sort their trash, but their knowledge was limited to sorting recyclables and garbage. By the end, the kids could correctly sort most waste items, even tricky ones like plastic wrap, electronics, and compostables. Many expressed that they would also talk to their parents and friends about sorting waste better!

Which organizations or mentors did you work with? How did these organizations or mentor partnerships help your project succeed?

Each partnership I had for this project was critical to my project’s success.
The Youth Action Committee (YAC) in my city provided me with the place to present to a younger audience. The GREEN team in my city gave me the initial push and mentorship on what waste management looks like at a larger level. CLF gave me the skills, confidence, and support to build and execute a successful, scalable project!

Personal Reflection

In order to accomplish my climate project, communication was vital. Communication for figuring my project out, for finding a location, for putting plans together, and for presenting in front of so many people. Communication took confidence, patience, perseverance, and flexibility, among many other traits. Through CLF, I was able to gain so many of these skills because I was constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone in order to communicate in all these different ways.

Did you receive any help or inspiration from other members of your Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort?

Yes! The other CLF members were supportive and inspiring. Seeing their intricate, diverse projects opened my eyes to new ideas and gave me the motivation to push my own project forward. Their feedback helped me improve, especially when it became uncertain how to keep going.

How did participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship make you feel?

Participating in CLF is a constant reminder that climate change isn’t something to focus on in the future — climate change is already irreversible in as little as four years, and it’s been slowly ending the world as we know it. Every time I went out in pursuit of resources or something of the sort for my CLF project, I saw the environment around me and realized that the world won’t stay this way if we sit back and do nothing.
Thanks to CLF, I feel and know that my project is one of the many steps toward a solution.

Before CLF, I knew I cared about the environment, but I wasn’t sure how to take real action. Through CLF, I developed the communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills I needed to not only launch this project but to keep pushing for change.
Most importantly, CLF reminded me that climate change is already here — already having its impact, and that young people like me have the power to make a real difference against it.

What are you most proud of regarding your project?

I’m proud that I made an actual, visible impact against climate change — an impact in people’s mindset. Watching younger kids raise their hands to ask questions about waste management, proudly get the answers right, and put together how to sort their trash correctly all formed together into a moment I’ll never forget.

I’m also proud that this was hopefully just the beginning. I plan to expand my project, reach more schools and communities, and make waste management an everyday habit, not just a lesson.

Tips for Others

• Choose a cause you’re passionate about to fuel your project!
• Plan your project in detail for all aspects, but stay flexible to changes!
• Start out small, but aim high! This’ll let you get further than you thought you ever could!
• Collaborate; find people or groups who support your mission and can guide or collaborate with you if needed!
• Use engaging tools like Kahoot to keep your audience involved & engaged!
• Create lasting reminders, like posters or games, to keep the message memorable!
• Don’t be afraid to fail and make mistakes, because it’s how you learn!
• Celebrate progress, no matter how small!

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Nusaiba Neesa

From The Classroom To The Community: A Climate Project With Purpose

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My name is Nusaiba Neesa, and I’m a 17-year-old high school student living in New York City. Originally from Bangladesh, I came to the U.S. with big dreams and a deep desire to make a difference. I currently attend Harry S. Truman High School and am passionate about environmental justice, biology, community service, and empowering others especially youth to become agents of change.

Project Background & Overview

The specific problem I addressed through my Climate Leaders Fellowship project was the lack of awareness and action around climate change and sustainability in my school and local community. Despite being in a global city, many students and families aren’t fully educated about how daily choices affect our environment—from energy waste to single-use plastics and urban pollution.

Personally, this issue matters to me deeply. Coming from a place where climate-related problems such as flooding and poor waste management directly impacted communities, I’ve witnessed the harsh realities of environmental neglect. I wanted to prevent that in my new home and use my voice to start a ripple of change.

Project Execution

For my project, I launched an awareness and action campaign called “Greener Together” at my school. This included:

• Starting an environmental club where students could learn about sustainability, climate issues, and solutions.
• Hosting interactive workshops on recycling, energy conservation, and green habits.
• Creating educational posters and digital content (including QR-code based resources in English and other languages).
• Partnering with existing school clubs like the Library Advisory Club, Women Empowerment Club, and buildOn to host collaborative events like green-clean-up days, DIY upcycling art, and eco-literacy circles.
• Promoting Earth Day and Climate Week NYC events to bring in more visibility and participation.

I implemented the project in my high school building and surrounding community by holding afterschool sessions, weekend clean-ups, and awareness tables in the library and cafeteria. My target audience was mainly students and families, especially English Language Learners and low-income households who often face environmental challenges first but receive climate education last.

Impact

The project had a measurable and meaningful impact on both my school and the surrounding community:

• Raised environmental awareness among over 150 students and staff through workshops, posters, and peer-led discussions focused on sustainability, energy conservation, and climate justice.
• Launched a permanent environmental club at my high school, creating a lasting platform for student-led climate initiatives, regular meetings, and eco-campaigns.
• Reduced waste by encouraging sustainable habits such as reusing materials, bringing reusable water bottles, and reducing single-use plastics. Over 50 students pledged to adopt at least one green habit as part of our campaign.
• Diverted over 15 pounds of recyclable materials from school waste bins through organized collection drives and upcycling activities.
• Increased cross-club collaboration, uniting the Library Advisory Club, Women Empowerment Club, and buildOn to take collective action on climate issues, thereby strengthening school-wide engagement.
• Inspired peers to start two new initiatives, including a student-led sustainable fashion project and a beginner’s guide to home gardening using recycled containers.
• Sparked ongoing conversations around environmental justice, especially highlighting how climate issues disproportionately affect low-income and immigrant communities like mine.

Through these outcomes, the project not only built awareness but also empowered young people to take ownership of climate action, creating momentum for continued change beyond the fellowship timeline.

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship was truly transformative for me not just as a student, but as a young change maker finding her voice. As someone new to this country, I often felt like I had to catch up or stay quiet. But this fellowship gave me the space, confidence, and support to lead boldly and act with purpose.

One of the most powerful parts of the experience was connecting with other fellows from around the world. Their projects, ideas, and passion inspired me to think bigger and push beyond my comfort zone. Whether it was through weekly calls or simple messages of encouragement, I felt part of a global community of youth who care deeply about our planet.

What I’m most proud of is starting something that will continue even after the fellowship ends. The environmental club I launched at my school has become a space where students feel heard, valued, and motivated to take action. Seeing others step up, share ideas, and take responsibility for small changes reminded me that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself it’s about sparking something in others.

This project also taught me resilience. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned low turnout at events, miscommunication, or limited resources but I learned to adapt, stay focused on my mission, and celebrate every small win.

Most of all, I now understand that change doesn’t have to start with big systems or perfect conditions. It starts with one idea, one action, one person willing to try. And I’m proud to be that person for my school, for my community, and for our planet.

Tips for Others

• Pick what you care about.
• Learn before you launch.
• Start small, grow big.
• Team up with others.
• Make it fun and hands-on.
• Include everyone.
• Track your results.
• Lead with confidence.

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Every Bite Counts: How Students Can Reduce Waste At School?

Project Background & Overview

What Problem Was I Addressing?

A lot of food is wasted at school—lunch leftovers and snacks often thrown away.

Why Does This Matter to Me?

Food waste harms the environment (emissions, wasted resources) and it felt wrong to see perfectly good food go to trash. I wanted to help my school be more sustainable.

Data & Context

Globally, ~1/3 of food is wasted. Even small changes at school can make a difference.

Project Execution

What Did I Do?

Designed and put up posters around school to raise awareness about food waste.

Actions Taken to Address the Problem

• Researched food waste facts and statistics.
• Made visually appealing, easy-to-read posters.
• Added tips students could use to reduce waste.

Where & How Was the Project Implemented?

Posters placed in cafeteria and hallways—spots where most students see them.

Who Were Your Target Audiences & How Did You Engage Them?

The target audience was the student body. I engaged them using bright visuals, quick facts, and practical tips.

Impact

Contributions Collected

Mainly my time and effort for research, design, and posting.

Results & Observations

• Positive feedback from students and teachers.
• Students reported being more aware of food waste.
• Observed less waste in areas with posters.

Organizations & Mentors Worked With

School staff and Climate Leaders Fellowship mentor.

How Did These Partnerships Help?

Guided me on messaging and placement. Supported long-term impact ideas.

Personal Reflection

I was inspired by other fellowship members’ projects—they motivated me to take action. I felt motivated to make real change. What I’m most proud of is educating my peers about food waste in a simple but effective way.

Tips for Others

• Pick a problem you see personally—it keeps you motivated.
• Research your topic so your message is accurate.
• Make your project visually appealing.
• Keep info simple and easy to understand.
• Put materials in high-traffic areas.
• Ask teachers or mentors for guidance.
• Give your audience practical tips they can use.
• Listen to feedback and adjust if needed.
• Document your process to show progress.
• Stay organized and set clear goals.
• Small projects can still make a big impact.

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Asha Parry

Turning My Team Green: Finding Ways To Simplify The Disposal Of Hard To Recycle Plastics

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My name is Asha Parry and I completed my fellowship project as a freshman. I go to The Archer School For Girls in Los Angeles, California. Being from a big city, I think I have a unique perspective on how to combat climate change, given that I’ve experienced both the environmental pressures of a major city, along with the innovative strategies available to address them. At school, I participate in Student Council. I was the Middle School President in 8th grade, and was a 9th Grade Class Rep last year.

I am now one of the 10th Grade Class Reps. I play soccer for my high school, and outside of school I play lacrosse. My lacrosse national team was recently ranked #4 in the country, which I’m super excited about! At school I am on the Ambassador Leadership Team. I also compete in and have placed the last 3 years in the LA County Science and Engineering Fair.

Project Background & Overview

For my fellowship project, my goal was to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and improve recycling rates for hard to recycle materials like thin film plastic and batteries. In 2020, the solid waste sector in California was responsible for almost 40 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMT CO₂e). Emissions from landfills are a significant portion of the overall waste sector emissions and proper recycling can significantly reduce emissions and improve environmental outcomes.

In Los Angeles, we have an established three bin waste collection system. The black bin is for landfill waste. The green bin is for yard waste and food scraps. The blue bin is for recycling. The City of Los Angeles has the largest curbside recycling program in the country. An average of 800 tons of recyclable materials are collected per day. Unfortunately, many people put materials in their blue bin that are not actually recycled in Los Angeles. This is called contamination. Recycling contamination is when non-recyclable materials are placed in the blue bin, thus preventing the entire collected load from being recycled properly. In order to address this, I developed a project to collect the hard to recycle materials that are not processed for recycling in Los Angeles so that they can be properly recycled and so that they do not become contaminated in the City recycling bins or go to the landfill.

Project Execution

To complete the goal of my project, I educated my audience on hard-to-recycle plastics and provided them with an easy option to drop off their batteries and plastics. I posted on Instagram with my lacrosse team to engage the families. I then briefed the lacrosse organization Board about my project and provided my contact information in the weekly email to each of the families in the program.

Impact

Over the course of three collection events, I collected over 9 lbs of waste. I partnered with Santa Monica Vikings Youth Lacrosse to activate and engage my lacrosse community and to provide educational materials and collection spots. I partnered with Ridwell to recycle the materials I collected. I set up a Ridwell collection station at the lacrosse field and then coordinated with Ridwell to schedule them to pick up the materials after my collection events were completed. Ridwell then took the materials we collected to a site that will properly recycle each material. People were excited about this project. The Santa Monica Vikings Board was excited to participate and they really liked the idea that a young person who grew up in their program was engaging the lacrosse community in an event like this during Earth Day. They said it felt “very full circle.” I was told many times that people didn’t know that some plastics couldn’t be recycled with the rest of your household recycling. I also received feedback from people who were very happy to have a spot to drop off all the used batteries they had collected for a long time. I observed that people appreciated that my project encouraged the lacrosse community to come together and create small, but meaningful, change. They also appreciated that the collection bins were at a convenient location that was already on their weekly schedule. My project would not have had the same impact without the help of my partnerships. They helped me gain visibility, along with executing my project in the most efficient and sustainable way.

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship gave me the chance to reach my goals and learn about my passions with more ambition and direction. There were people from many different parts of the world, each thinking about the climate crisis in different ways. This gave me perspective on the global impacts of climate change. Although we all developed projects for our own community, we really got a sense of the different ways kids around the world are doing their part to make a difference in the fight against climate change. I am most proud of the skills I developed during this process. For example, I learned to take initiative, given that no one else was going to complete my project for me. If I didn’t do the work, it wouldn’t have been completed.

Tips for Others

• Partner with brands and mentors who can amplify your impact. For example, rather than navigating proper plastic disposal on my own, I collaborated with Ridewell, whose expertise and resources made the process far more effective.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help. Other fellows probably have similar questions and concerns. Everyone is there to help one another.
• Stay on top of your work. The work load is very doable and exciting when you’re organized and on track.

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“Eco-Thrifting — Sustainability Never Looked So Fashionable”

Project Background & Overview

What specific problem were you addressing in your community? (Any background about that problem is great, especially if there is data!)

There’s a lot of fast fashion purchasing and production taking place in my community, and there were only 20% of people who were actually educated on the harmful effects and aspects of this type of fashion: the way it destroys the environment by creating a lot of waste especially in landfills, the unethical practices of production, exploitation of workers, etc.

Why does that problem matter to you personally?

This problem matters to me a lot because as much as I hate to say it, I too, was shopping fast fashion, completely oblivious to the adverse effects of it. When I came to know, a pang of guilt hit me, and I internalised an idea of bringing awareness to such a tragedy, to not just save the environment but also protect our community’s consciousness.

Project Execution

What did you do for your project?

For this project, I created an online thrift shop that was designed to be scalable, and cyclical in nature.

What actions did you take to address the problem?

Initially, I gathered a database of people in my community willing to exchange clothes with one another for various reasons and purposes: I marketed it in 2 ways, being sustainable while being fashionable, and also having an “eco-community” to fall back onto, creating a sense of cohesion and belonging.

Where and how did you implement your project?

I wanted to create a specific instagram page for my project, but I couldn’t get my parents permission to make a public account, so on my private accounts itself, I launched this campaign of “ECO-THRIFTING — Sustainability never looked so fashionable”, and the responses and results to it were truly encouraging.

Who were your target audiences and how did you engage them?

My target audience was Gen-z and anybody who wanted to make a difference in a fashionable way. The marketing strategy depended on certain conditions of the “eco-thrifter”, whether they were participating in this activity to actually lessen the amount of waste in landfills and lessen fast fashion, or whether they wanted cool new fits that weren’t their style and saving the environment was just a bonus.

Impact

What types of contributions (materials, funds, volunteer hours) did you collect?

Since it was an hybrid project, the people who wanted to participate contacted me through instagram and whatsapp, sending me pictures of clothes they’d like to trade for, and sending the weight of the clothes in kgs. Once the clothes were approved by me, I picked it up from their residence and brought it back to my place. I sorted the clothes and uploaded pictures of them onto my instagram and instantly received people willing to donate their clothes in exchange for garments they wished to have. After the clothes exchange was finalised, the “eco-thrifter” could either pick up the garments from my residence or pay a 50rs. delivery fee so it could be dropped of at their residence, hassle free. Most of the “eco thrifters” were very gracious and tagged me in their stories, promoting this project and bettering the outreach.

What were the results? (Include data based results & feedback or observations)

This prophecy saved about 8kgs and counting of waste from going into landfills and about 20K litres of water.

Which organizations or mentors did you work with? (Please double check the spelling of names and titles)

No organisations, this was completely student based (I did not have a team, it was me making the design, decisions and mistakes). I did use my own NGO instagram (hayahbloom) as a means to promote my idea.

How did these organization or mentor partnerships help your project succeed?

I tried working with my school, but since I have an NGO of my own, I used the NGO account’s story to help promote the online thrift shop, as it has a good following.

Personal Reflection

Did you receive any help or inspiration from other members of your Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort?

The sessions with cohort 1A was genuinely incredible, inspiring, and truly motivating. Seeing such diverse ideas for one single goal broadened my horizons and made me think outside of the box.

How did participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship make you feel?

It made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself.

What are you most proud of regarding your project?

I’m most proud that i could actually MAKE a difference, however small it might be, at least 500 more people know about sustainable fashion and 100 started getting into it because of me.

Tips for Others

• Firstly I’d like to talk about my mistakes which would be not making a website platform, then planning the pick up and drop process in a more systematic and professional manner, and finally getting better at convincing skills to convince micro influencers to promote the project.

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Assessing The Impacts Of Climate Education

Project Background & Overview

I did this project with one of my best friends, and during middle school we constantly struggled to get our peers and friends involved in any activity related to the environment that didn’t directly give them service hours – a lot of students still don’t understand the urgency of the issue. In addition, teachers have limited time during the school year to teach, especially for standards not explicitly required in the state curriculum. We realized that the lack of education on climate change was the main problem, and the fact that our state standards get changed so rarely and teachers not having time to find external resources meant we’d need to create and share a climate curriculum ourselves.

This mattered to me because I knew that once I had learned about climate change I knew that this was the all-consuming issue that I wanted to focus on. In addition, I believe that even if you don’t particularly like science or plants, as long as you know the basics you can turn any passion into something that makes a difference for the planet – and I wanted to make sure students had the basic knowledge to do that.

Project Execution

My friend and I did some research and created two presentations: one for elementary schoolers (grades 5 and 6), and one for middle schoolers (just 7th grade). We then reached out to our former teachers to ask if we could come to the schools and give our presentations to students. About a week before we went to the schools we sent out a pre-survey to gain a sense of what kids knew about climate change and how they felt about it. We got around 180 responses from the middle school, and around 60 from the elementary school. More than 75% of the students had heard about climate change and knew the basics. Many of them reported feeling sad or angry about it, but there were also quite a few who said they didn’t really think about it at all – which made sense. I live in a suburban inland community where we don’t fee the brunt of the effects of climate change, so it can be easy to ignore it altogether.

We then visited the schools and gave our presentations. The kids were overall receptive of the topic and engaged and asked questions. Our final activity was to create a climate action plan with them, outlining one specific community action they would take that would go beyond their day-to-day lives.

About two weeks after our presentations we sent out a post survey to assess what the students remembered and if their thoughts toward climate change or taking climate action had changed. The results were overall similar to the pre-survey as many students had covered the topic at least a little bit in class. More students did report some actions they took in the time that had passed.

Impact

In total we spoke to over 250 students between the two schools. We worked with our former middle school science teachers, librarians and the science fair planning head for the elementary school. These groups were supportive of our project and accommodated us into their schedules, and ensured we had the space and resources (projector, paper, markers, etc.) we needed.

Personal Reflection

The Climate Fellowship helped me narrow down my many ideas to something concrete and realistic that would make a real difference in my community. Talking to other students in the cohorts gave me hope that there are students out there who care – even if I can’t always see it.

With regards to this project, I’m proud of the number of students we were able to talk to – even if the response wasn’t as dramatic as I would have liked.

Tips for Others

My main tip for others is to find the root of the problems you’re trying to solve with your project. I think there’s a difference between a community service project (eg. planting trees, collection drives) and the fellowship project. I think looking at the root can lead to a bigger project that still has a meaningful impact on a local area – whether it’s addressing development in the area by talking to county officials, or reaching out to renewable energy companies to create a plan for transforming your community in a way that’s economically feasible.

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Lucas Rafiy

Repurposing Tennis Balls for School and Sustainability

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My name is Lucas Rafiy and I am a Highschool student in nyc who loves tennis, the environment, and creative problem solving.

Project Background & Overview

I addressed the problem of tennis ball waste. In the U.S., over 125 million tennis balls end up in landfills every year, where they take decades to decompose. I play tennis often and I see how quickly balls lose their bounce and get thrown out. I wanted to reduce this waste and find a way to give the balls a second life.

Project Execution

I worked with a tennis organization to collect used tennis balls and repurpose them. I also worked with my school by providing balls for the bottoms of chairs. I ran the collection at my local tennis club. Once I received a large amount of balls I shipped some to an organization called recycleballs and donated the rest to my school. I hand-cut all of the balls that were going to my school to make it easy to put them on the bottoms of the chairs.

Impact

I collected hundreds of used tennis balls and spent several hours organizing, cleaning, and delivering them. I collected around 300 used tennis balls in the first month. Teachers appreciated how the balls reduced noise in classrooms and protected floors from chair damage. I worked with my tennis club (sportime) and received guidance from people at the Climate Leaders Fellowship. They helped me with planning and making sure everything worked out well.

Personal Reflection

Yes, hearing other students creative ideas motivated me to think bigger about how to repurpose waste. Working in the Climate Leadership Fellowship made me feel proud, capable, and more connected to people who care about the planet. I’m proud that I turned something often thrown away into something useful for classrooms.

Tips for Others

• Start small and focus on one location first.
• Talk to people directly.
• Partner with organizations early.
• Ask others for help and opinion.
• Work on something your passionate about.

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Riya Rawal

Recycling Books To Give Them A New Life

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Hi! I am Riya Rawal, a rising junior in San Bruno. I am 16 years old. I love to read, bike, thrift and bake anything with chocolate in it.

Project Background & Overview

So many perfectly good books get thrown into trash dumps every year as children outgrow them, while some kids don’t have any access to any books. This inspired me to do a book drive at my high school and other local school libraries to collect books that would eventually create a library in Uganda, Africa. My Dad was born in Africa which is what inspired me to create a library in this specific place.

Project Execution

First I collaborated with the African Library project, a non-profit that creates libraries in Sub- Sahara Africa. Then I was assigned a library in Uganda for preschool to 6th grade reading levels. My book drive was cleared with administrators at my school and then I started publicizing it. With the help of many of my friends we started making posters with information about the book drive and pinned them up around school while also posting on social media to spread the word to the kids at my school. I reached out to libraries around the Bay Area to see if they had any kids books they wanted to donate. I was surprised by the amount of people that had extra books that they could donate and were eager to help. Then I put bins around my school to collect books and after a couple weeks we had over 1000 books!

Impact

Through doing this I also had to fundraise for shipping and packing materials (boxes, tap, etc). My school generously paid for the shipping and my friends and I held a bake sale at my school to fundraise for the rest of the supplies. I could not have done this book drive without the help of so many others. Many people in my school community stepped up to help me organize the book drive. So many friends, teachers and even people I had never talked to before were eager to help in any way they could. Even outside of my school I was surprised by how many different librarians from all over the city had 100’s of books they wanted to donate to the cause. Lastly, so many people at African Library Project (ALP) helped in the process of creating a library from this book drive.

Personal Reflection

CLF gave me the space to brainstorm with other people that want to make a difference in our world to create a better planet. It felt really cool to be in a space with other people that are passionate about the same things that I am doing. I am most proud of the scale of books I got and how much help I got from my school community.

Tips for Others

My top tip would be to plan out the steps and the time you have so you are not rushing at the last minute. Also to reach out to people for help because oftentimes people want to help you and the more people you have the bigger impact you can make.

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Ezri Rutger

Our Earth, Our Future

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My name is Ezri Rutger. I’m 18 years old and entering my senior year of high school. I live in a small town in northern Ohio. I enjoy dancing, cheerleading, engaging in various community service projects, and spending time with my family and friends.

Project Background & Overview

My partner and I focused our project around recycling. Every year in the United States, around 85% of clothing items end up in landfills. Much of this waste can be recycled and even given to people who are in desperate need of free clothing. I felt this issue was important because I not only want to help create a greener Earth, but I also wanted to be able to give to people in my community who are less fortunate and in need of basic necessities, such as clothes.

Project Execution

With this being said, my partner and I have started an annual clothing drive that we conduct at our high school. We advertised weeks prior by hanging up posters around our school, having the information shared on our school’s morning announcements, and making posts on our social media account about our upcoming clothing drive. Then, for a full week, we collected clothes, shoes, hats, etc. from students, staff, and families associated with our school district.

Impact

We were able to collect 20+ bags of clothing. The bags were then donated to a local clothing bank and also to a foundation, called, the Ivy, that gives children who are in foster care and adoption programs clothing for free and allows them to pick out the items as if they were shopping in an actual store. The Ivy was able to take all of our donated clothing items and ensure that they were able to help community members and also reduce the amount of waste being put into the landfills.

Personal Reflection

I have been apart of this Fellowship the past 3 years, and every year I’m always so grateful to have said I was in it. This program is a great way to continue to stay up to date on current global environmental issues and learn how to make the change that our world so desperately needs. It also allows students to get out into their communities and see first-hand how global warming is affecting their home towns. The Fellowship teaches personal skills such as public speaking, how to address administration about new ideas, how to advertise, and it can give students confidence about speaking up about topics they value.

Tips for Others

• Don’t be afraid to speak up and get the word out about your project. In most cases, people are very willing to listen and help in making a change.
• Working with other Fellows or even classmates can make the brainstorming process and project implementation steps feel not as overwhelming. Working with others gives you people to bounce ideas off of and the ability to follow through with projects that may require more assistance than you alone can provide.

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Rashmin Sadaf

Me Vs Dhaka’S Air Quality.

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Hi everyone! I am Rashmin Sadaf from Bangladesh. I am 16 years old and I will be giving my O levels very soon. I like to indulge myself in debate and music. I have recently found an interest in movies and philanthropy.

Project Background & Overview

At my school, I noticed how easily the trash bins used to get filled during break time. It wouldn’t take long until the bins were filled with all sorts of waste products, all mixed in one. There would be plastic wastes, organic wastes and dry wastes, all in the same trash can. After, all the smaller bins used to be transferred to 6 big bins. I noticed much plastic and dry wastes accumulated once the school day was over. I knew that all these would end up in some landfill and furthermore pollute the air. Dhaka, the city I live in, is already in the lists of cities with the lowest AQ in the world. This has contributed to both, my brother’s and my health issues. We both had multiple breathing problems ever since the age of six. So, when I saw the CLF program, which not only advocates reducing waste, but also helps students around the world connect with each other, I was hooked.

Project Execution

For my project, I found an organisation, Circular Waste BD, to collaborate with which recycles dry waste, turning them into building blocks that are used for further structural ideas. This helped to address two main issues at my school; The mixing of the different types of waste and the amount of dry waste collected over time. My teammates were Farah Alam and Yathrib Tajbeeb. In order to tackle this, I had to meet with the Vice Principal of our school to discuss the idea. After she gave me and my teammates the green light, we started working. We made surveys for different grades in order to collet data. We asked questions regarding their knowledge on waste production and management, how much it affects them, how much they care for it and what would inspire them to work against climate change. A representative from the organisation came to our school to educate the staff members on the topic of waste and waste collection. We started by targeting the staff members as our audience, as the janitors are the ones who collect the waste. An orientation was held by the representative from the organisation for an hour, all the staff members joined. It was more of a Q/A session.

Impact

The Art Club collaborated with us and made beautiful posters. Their help was definitely appreciated and much needed. The orientation resulted in around 43 staff members getting adequate information on waste management. I worked with Circular Waste BD, and Ms. Sankalita Shome. Under her mentorship, we were able to host the orientation. The organisation will be collecting dry waste every 2 weeks from our school. The survey gave us these popular responses;

• Around 65% of students get their information on climate through social media.
• 80% of us have faced direct consequences of global warming.
• Students are more likely to engage if it were a competition, over 47% students voted for it.

Personal Reflection

The CLF cohort helped gain more insight on international affairs, especially about the LA fires that recently took place. That inspired me to research and learn better about places around the world. CLF made me realise I have more to achieve and there are many people around the world just like me. I take pride in my team and our dedication towards our work.

Tips for Others

• I would recommend anyone who wants to do this, to first, get a group you’d want to work with. The people you work with have a big effect on your mood and the course of your project. If you’re doing solo, at least communicate your ideas with someone.
• Brainstorm. Brainstorm your ideas with the team then your school, your community or the organisation you want to work with.
• Make sure to keep your emails fresh and clear. Don’t forget to check important emails from school or teammates, as you might miss out on key information!
• Social network. You have no idea how much of a scope there is to do social networking. Get their Instagram, mail or number.
• Overall, have fun and remember the main goal, that is to save the planet.

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Lucy Safir

Can You Waste Responsibly? The Challenge To Mitigate Waste Contamination And Single-Use Materials

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My name is Lucy Safir and I am a passionate environmentalist, ever-curious student, and climate activist from Carrboro, North Carolina USA. I am 17 years old but have been engaged in environmental research and activism for many years now. I am extremely interested in Marine Sciences and learning how to best push for legislation which will mitigate the effects of climate change. I also love swimming, cross country, gardening, and growing and learning alongside my siblings.

Project Background & Overview

What specific problem were you addressing in your community?

With my CLF project, I was addressing responsible waste practices as many students at my school simply don’t know which materials can be recycled or composted and the full effects our landfills have on our community. According to the city of Durham, where our school is located, there is currently a 40% recycling contamination rate, or incorrect materials placed in the blue bins, which we are constantly working to reduce.

Why does that problem matter to you personally?

I used to be extremely afraid of climate change and couldn’t handle discussing it. However, I now know that everyone taking these small steps around the world can have a huge impact overall. I want my home to have clean air and healthy life in my future, not become a place overflowing with human waste and dangerous air quality conditions. It is important to start by mitigating wasted energy that comes with contamination and encouraging those around me to use products which are more easily recycled or composted.

Project Execution

What did you do for your project?

To raise awareness at our school, we implemented a responsible waste challenge to motivate students to dispose of their waste properly and bring about friendly competition. We also organized a local clean up excursion to get students actively involved in the community and help protect Durham’s natural areas.

What actions did you take to address the problem?

To address our problem my team and I had weekly meetings to plan, organize and research. We divided up tasks and action items after each meeting, designed posters for the competition, and reached out to school administration for permission and details. We also communicated with our peers to spread awareness about our challenge.

Where and how did you implement your project?

Our project took place primarily at our high school to better waste disposal at our eating areas, however it also reached out to the city of Durham as a whole with our clean up. With colorful posters and a raffle prize for the winner, we encouraged students to participate in our challenge and thus were able to implement our project.

Who were your target audiences and how did you engage them?

Our target audience was students at our school as our goal was to better their understanding of responsible waste and the effects it can have on our planet. We engaged them as each had the opportunity to submit one raffle entry per day by uploading a photo of their correct recycling or composting and by reading waste data and information in the form. Then, at the end of the challenge, the winner of the raffle won a gift card to a local boba place which everyone at our school loves and hopes to support.

Impact

What types of contributions (materials, funds, volunteer hours) did you collect?

We used educational forms and flyers for our project, recyclable and compostable materials, and earned volunteer hours for local clean ups and engagement.

What were the results?

We raised awareness about responsible waste disposal at our school, mitigated recycling and compost contamination, encouraged student connection and meaningful discussion on environmental issues, and successfully carried out the Durham clean up which improved our natural areas.

Which organizations or mentors did you work with?

To successfully execute our project, we worked with the Keep Durham Beautiful organization to beautify Wrightwood Park through a clean up and invasive plant removal. We also utilized the local Quickly Bubble Tea shop as a motivation for students in the raffle and to encourage continued support to the business from our school.

How did these organization or mentor partnerships help your project succeed?

These organizations taught us the importance of working with others and as a team to truly make an impact in your community. Much was able to be accomplished with their assistance as they also helped encourage student participation in our project!

Personal Reflection

Did you receive any help or inspiration from other members of your Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort?

My Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort was extremely helpful as they really helped support my team as we got stuck throughout the implementation of our project. Our plans had to change as we encountered timing and administrative barriers, but they gave us amazing advice and suggestions to refine our ideas until we successfully executed a fun and engaging project.

How did participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship make you feel?

I felt so much more hopeful for our future as our planet grapples with the current threat of climate change. There are so many other young people, my age, all across the world who are making impacts in their communities. When you think about what we are able to change, the impact we had in the span of a season or two, it gives me the knowledge that we have what it takes to fight and to keep fighting.

What are you most proud of regarding your project?

I am most proud of my team and the students around me who helped make this project happen as we were all actively engaged and discussing something which will truly impact every single one of our lives in the years to come. I know there is still so much work to be done in terms of continuing, expanding, and developing our project, but I also cannot wait to go bigger and use all resources available to me to make an even larger impact.

Tips for Others

• Work with a team. Finding a group of students who care just as you do will really help you feel supported and be successful in your goals.
• Don’t be afraid to start small. Every single action matters, and usually what starts small blossoms into something much bigger. Always do what you can and don’t worry about the obstacles which will get in your way.
• Talk, talk, and talk about your project. The more people in your community who know about it, the more impact it can have and the easier it will be to make progress.
• Lean on your CLF cohort for support. They truly do have amazing ideas and will make the whole process run smoother.
• Start as early as possible. There’s a lot of time which will go into planning and logistics, so start early in the campaign to make the greatest impact.
• Reach out to local organizations. Even if you don’t have a specific reason to, tell them about your project and ask for advice. They may offer to collaborate in ways you haven’t thought of before!
• Have fun. Climate change is scary and daunting, but we are all still living life and surrounded by others who care. Your project should bring you some hope and support, so have fun while doing it and find joy in your amazing problem-solving ideas!

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Riddhi Sawant

Reduce. Reuse. Recreate.

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My name is Riddhi Sawant and I am a 17 year old high school student that strives to learn, personally grow and make a positive impact in my community. I am in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in my high school and I am from Southern Ontario in Canada. I possess a wide range of interests, such as creating art pieces, playing badminton and learning more about scientific information. These passions not only bring joy to my everyday life, but they also serve as outlets for self-expression and skill development. I hope to use these passions of mine to provide the world with new and innovative ideas and to spread the positivity that they give me.

Project Background & Overview

The environmental issues that I specifically addressed in my school community were overconsumption, improper recycling and plastic pollution. I decided to bring attention to these issues because they occur in several households due to unsustainable habits and because they further result in larger environmental problems, including climate change. According to the Government of Canada, “Canadians throw away over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year,” which significantly showcases the gravity of the issues that I addressed.

Each of these three issues, overconsumption, improper recycling and plastic pollution, are problems that interconnect and subsequently occur one after the other. To begin, overconsumption in this context refers to when humans utilise and even purchase more items than they require and more than what can be produced. This is an environmental issue because it results in the increase in demand and production. Almost every industry uses unsustainable resources, from nonrenewables, like fossil fuels, to terrestrial habitats, like trees, so increasing demand can increase environmental unsustainability, for both humans and wildlife.

In addition, overconsumption can cause another environmental issue other than instability, as it can also result in improper recycling. Improper recycling refers to when humans negligently throw away recyclable items in the garbage bin or vice versa. This causes several recyclable items, including plastic, to end up in landfills as waste, when it could have been reused sustainably again. According to the Environmental Defence, “Less than 9 per cent of Canada’s plastic waste gets recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment where it destroys ecosystems, leaches toxic chemicals, and harms wildlife.”

Furthermore, these two issues lead to plastic pollution, one of the biggest root causes of climate change. Plastic pollution is when plastic accumulates in the environment, which can severely cause harm. This is because not only can plastic be ingested by wildlife, it can also emit carbon dioxide, affecting the Earth’s layer of protection, the ozone layer. This shows how these three issues contribute to climate change in general and even the damages occurring to the environment, thus, they had to be addressed to the community.

Project Execution

To demonstrate my concern for these issues, I created a project that highlights them in a way that is not only informative, but also motivating in a way that can allow for my target audience to understand the impacts. To do this, I brainstormed solutions to the issues that I wanted to address, such as reducing consumption and reusing items. I used these solutions to consider some possible initiatives that I can take within my project so that it meets my goals of making it informative and motivating.

My project was an event that I specifically hosted at my school on the week of Earth Day (April 22, 2025) and I had collaborated with the art club and a writing club. This is because my event was for both staff and students to bring any recyclable materials that they can find at home to make crafts and art pieces out of them for house decor. For example, some used plastic water bottles to make flowers, some painted on DVDs and some designed styrofoam plates. I also shared a poem that I wrote about the effects of plastic pollution on marine life, as well as a short presentation on the 3R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). I decided to name it, “Reduce. Reuse. Recreate.” which highlights the contents of the event and also so that the students at my event can help “Recreate” a better future.

The issues I addressed were used in every part of the event, from the presentation and the poem, to the crafts activity. For instance, my poem discussed and brought awareness to plastic pollution in the ocean and my presentation brought awareness to improper recycling. For the arts activity, I brought awareness to overconsumption and how it is more efficient to reuse our items rather than purchasing more.

Impact

The contributions that I collected from this event were the feedback that the students were giving me for the event, their ideas in the future on living more sustainably as well as their eagerness in creating other environmental projects themselves.

Firstly, I chose to deliver the impacts of overconsumption, improper recycling and plastic pollution in a creative and artistic way because arts and crafts are enjoyable to make. This quality convinced the staff and students at my event that helping the environment does not have to be a hassle, instead, it can be really fun. While it was simple, it was extremely effective because being innovative in this way allowed for many of the students to think of additional ways that they can reuse other items in their homes.

For instance, a few students came up with practical ideas, such as using a plastic water bottle as a soap dispenser. My poem and presentation also made an impact on other students as they explained how they never really considered the harms of plastic on marine life until then.

Additionally, many students requested to have similar events occurring not only for the month of Earth Day, but also throughout the year, since they had grasped the importance of environmental issues. Thus, many of them have decided to join initiatives that enforce solutions to climate change as well as extracurriculars. This will allow for impact in other areas of climate change.

While execution of this event was done by me, it would not have received sufficient recognition without the two clubs that collaborated with me. These clubs have been known for hosting creative events at my school, so with their help, I was able to gain attraction for my project. Also, they provided resources for the staff and students to make crafts, such as paint and hot glue. The effect of my event on these students with the help of these two clubs had inspired them to live more sustainably.

Personal Reflection

The “Reduce. Reuse. Recreate.” project was done through the Climate Leaders Fellowship program, where the student facilitators had inspired me with ideas for my project. They helped me decide what direction my project should be in, since I was debating on whether I should go with this idea or another. Their feedback was always catered towards my project’s needs and provided me with relevant next steps as well. Also, when joining breakout rooms with other members, they gave me ideas on how to incorporate more to my event so that it gives insight on the problem while still being engaging.

Moreover, participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship (CLF) gave me confidence, allowed me to connect with others worldwide and made me feel accomplished. For example, not only did the CLF give me confidence in initiating my project but it also gave me confidence for future leadership opportunities. I have even learned to collaborate with other members with similar environmental passions as mine worldwide, which led me to making new connections. These have allowed me to feel proud of myself for the impact I have made and the way I have grown from this experience.

Tips for Others

• Brainstorm and plan out your project from the beginning to the end to gain a critical understanding of its requirements, including a target audience and some issues to discuss
• Consider project ideas that are related to some of your other interests as this will motivate you to make a difference in your own style
• Think outside of the box with your project ideas and make sure they can cover as many environmental issues as you can think of
• Cater your project towards your target audience as much as possible so that they can understand the issue much better
• Never get disheartened if some aspects of the project do not work out or go as planned, just keep going!

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Maeve Schmidt

Spreading The Word Of Composting

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My name is Maeve, I am seventeen, and I live in Southern California. In my free time, I love painting, reading, going on walks with my dog, and hanging out with my friends and family.

Project Background & Overview

The main problem I addressed in my project was food waste; specifically food waste at my high school. We have a small garden at our school, but most students don’t realize we have it. I decided to learn more about it and discussed food waste and composting with the teacher who runs the school garden. California schools produce 550,000 tons of waste each year, with roughly half of that being organic materials. Food waste leads to an increase in greenhouse gasses, such as methane, which contributes to climate change. I care a lot about the planet and the organisms that live here. Humans have caused climate change and hurt the planet in so many ways and we need to be held responsible for our actions. If every person were to compost, we could significantly decrease the damage we have caused.

Project Execution

For my project, I wanted my target audience to be high school students, because we are the future of the planet. After determining my target audience, I started researching my local garbage company and how they process waste in landfills. From there, I knew I wanted to work with composting. I learned more about composting, surveyed students at my school, and asked teachers for guidance. After all of my planning and gathering of information, I created a poster on composting, a video, a website on how to compost, a petition, and an Instagram account, which I am still growing. My main goal was to create a composting program at school, but due to the project being so close to the end of the year, I decided I would make this happen during the new school year in fall.

Impact

I received input on composting from students at my school as well as teachers who helped me decide what to do with my project. I also earned followers on my Instagram account and signs on my petition. My goal for next school year is to partner with a composting program, such as LA Compost. Their Instagram page and website helped me a lot with my project.

Personal Reflection

I didn’t work with any other members of the Climate Leaders Fellowship, but I did read the group chat on Discord about project plans and ideas, which ultimately helped me with mine. Overall, the Climate Leaders Fellowship allowed me to become more confident in myself and my work; I learned that mistakes are okay and necessary to succeed. I am proud of my commitment to my project and following through with it even when things got hard.

Tips for Others

• Keep going – don’t let the challenges get in your way. You won’t regret it and you will feel so accomplished once you finish your project.
• Ask for help – don’t be afraid to ask questions on Discord or raise your hand in a meeting. The 1:1 meetings helped me ask questions and get feedback on my project.

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Veronica Sharma

“No One Left Unplanted” : Sustainability Starts Where Hope Is Thinnest.

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Hi, I’m Veronica Sharma, a 16-year-old high school senior from Jammu & Kashmir, India. I’m a passionate STEM student with strong interests in research, astronomy, visual arts, filmmaking, trekking, and debate and Model UNs. Growing up in the mountains, I’ve developed a deep personal connection to advocating for our environment and climate. I’ve worked on projects focused on educating underprivileged children and leading large social initiatives. I strive to create meaningful social impact by combining scientific inquiry, creative expression, and grassroots action.

Project Background & Overview

In many parts of India, especially within orphanages and underfunded NGOs, climate education is almost entirely absent. According to a 2021 UNESCO report, less than 20% of students in India receive any structured environmental education — a gap that’s even wider for underprivileged children. Without basic climate literacy, these communities remain disconnected from issues that will disproportionately affect their futures.

This problem matters deeply to me because I’ve grown up around the mountains, witnessing firsthand the effects of climate change — from drying springs to unpredictable seasons and worsening air quality. Living close to nature has made environmental issues deeply personal, not just abstract. I believe that empowering children with the knowledge to understand and act on climate challenges can lead to meaningful change. My project aimed to bridge that gap by educating underserved youth on climate change and sustainability, while also leading the plantation of over 10,000 saplings — turning awareness into tangible action.

Project Execution

To address the lack of climate awareness among underprivileged communities, I designed and implemented a project that combined climate education with on-ground environmental action. My goal was to equip children in NGOs and orphanages with foundational knowledge about climate change, sustainability, and environmental responsibility — and to involve them directly in creating positive environmental impact.

I developed interactive, age-appropriate modules using visuals, stories, and hands-on activities to make climate concepts accessible and engaging. These sessions were conducted in collaboration with local NGOs and orphanages, and paired with a plantation drive of over 10,000 saplings — helping participants translate knowledge into real-world action.

Through my internship with the Social Impact Department at I.I.M.U.N., I was able to scale this project nationwide by mobilizing a network of like-minded youth and partner organizations across India. My primary target audience was underprivileged children aged 8–16, many of whom had little to no exposure to climate education. By delivering sessions that were interactive and community-rooted, I was able to foster both awareness and ownership — empowering them not just as learners, but as young climate leaders within their own communities.

Impact

To bring this project to life, I mobilized a wide range of contributions — from volunteer hours and educational materials to local support for sapling donations. I engaged student volunteers, NGO workers, and community members who helped conduct sessions, coordinate logistics, and assist with plantation efforts. Many of the saplings were sourced through partnerships with local nurseries and municipal departments, while educational content was developed and distributed using low-cost, print-friendly formats.

The results were both quantitative and deeply impactful. Over the course of the project, we conducted climate awareness sessions for more than 1,500 children across multiple Indian states and planted over 10,000 saplings, contributing directly to green cover and sustainability education. Feedback from local NGO heads and caregivers indicated a noticeable increase in environmental curiosity and participation among the children, with some even initiating their own small plantation drives post-workshops.

A key partner in the project’s success was India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.), particularly through my internship with their Social Impact Department. Their national network and mentorship support enabled me to scale the initiative beyond my local community, connect with like-minded changemakers, and gain visibility and logistical support across different regions. Their guidance played a crucial role in refining the structure of the program, mobilizing resources, and expanding its impact at a national level.

Personal Reflection

I received valuable help and inspiration from other members of my Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort. Collaborating with passionate, like-minded individuals from across the country gave me new perspectives on how to approach climate education in a way that was inclusive and impactful. Their feedback helped me refine my sessions, and their own projects inspired me to think bigger and more boldly about the scale of change I could create.

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel empowered, supported, and hopeful. It was a space where I could turn my concerns about the climate crisis into tangible action, backed by mentorship, structure, and a strong sense of community. It reminded me that youth-led change is not only possible — it’s necessary.

What I’m most proud of is being able to take a simple idea — educating children and planting trees — and scale it into a national initiative that reached over 1,500 underserved children and resulted in the plantation of 10,000+ saplings. Even more than the numbers, I’m proud of the spark of awareness we were able to ignite in so many young minds who are often left out of these conversations.

Tips for Others

• Start small and build from there. I began with just one NGO. It helped me figure out what worked before scaling up.
• Make it engaging, not overwhelming. Use stories, visuals, and simple language. Climate education should feel personal, not like a lecture.
• Ask for help. Collaborating with mentors and organizations made all the difference. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
• Pair learning with action. Teaching is powerful, but planting something together creates real connection and ownership.
• Keep track of what you do. Numbers, photos, and feedback help you reflect, improve, and inspire others to join in.

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Aishwarya Singh

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rethink: A Campaign For Concious Waste Handling

Project Background & Overview

The main topic this year was waste management. I talked to a lot of people in person and got to know about a lot more through Google forms that, most weren’t even aware of what their everyday decisions were doing. The first step was to create awareness among the people. I think it really matters because if people don’t understand the foundation of it, then the other things won’t be clear either. I myself remember as a kid how being aware of this made me bring changes in my everyday life.

Project Execution

For my project, I set up an event and sent invites to people around me ranging from kids and teens to adults and the elderly. It was an informative and fun session. I later gave them each a pretty jute pouch with their favorite fruit/vegetable/flower seeds and gardening tools. They were to post it on their social media once they had sown the seeds to help spread the word and/or tell 3 other people helping bring awareness to more people.

Impact

I received multiple texts and story mentions from my friends on social media from when they had sown their seeds or told 3 other people. Eventually, many other people who weren’t even at the event had starting posting these stories, creating templates and reposting!

After the project had ended on my part, the society president too put up notices on waste management with guidelines.

Personal Reflection

All the other members were really dedicated and inspiring. Participating in this fellowship has shaped me as a better person because now I take the lead in making the change and have become more confident in myself. I’m proud that my project ended up reaching a widespread audience. Kids using their toy tools, teens and adults updating their plant’s growth on social media now and then or the elders who genuinely loved the gift and make compost with waste. I’m also glad that even after this project I’ve worked on a fun waste management and segregation website that gives ways to reuse or recycle waste, and the exhibition of fashion out of waste which is on its way! My previous climate project Cloudera has made it into the final round of a competition too! What is important is to try bring change even after the fellowship is over instead of considering it a one-time thing.

Tips for Others

• Choose a Focus area as the climate crisis is broad
• Gather a bunch of ideas no matter how impossible they sound. Get creative!
• Be organized in terms of schedule. If anything you’re doing requires booking, purchasing, or doing things by a deadline, get it done asap!
• Don’t stress yourself. Take a break whenever required.
• It’s okay to start over or redo something that goes wrong. Don’t give up!
• Even if your project is small, storytelling makes impact. Use social media effectively.
• Preferably avoid one-day cleanups without follow-up. Design it for continuity in form of a weekly action or a club etc.
• Stay hopeful and honest. Your role isn’t to fix everything but to push the needle forward.

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Mahathi Srinivasabharathi

Revogue: Thrifting Made Easy

Project Background & Overview

I was part of a team of 4, and we decided to tackle the problem of fast fashion. In India, pollution or waste management are often seen as the main issues; however, living in a metropolitan city with hundreds of clothing outlets with constantly changing inventory, the spotlight really shines on fast fashion, which acted as the main motivation behind our choice.

Project Execution

We decided that the best way to reach the largest audience was through an online app; therefore, we created an app that made thrifting possible. However, unlike other apps out there, such as eBay, ours had unique features like a quality check and a nearby thrift store finder, with the use of your location.

Impact

This was a collaborative effort, as we utilized market research and online resources to help develop this app. However, we made use of Instagram to market our app and let people know we were the best option for affordable second-hand clothing.

Personal Reflection

My teammates were always great in terms of ideas or aid; however, in times when I couldn’t manage the time limits or comprehend any of the instructions, the CLF alumni paved the way. I think the Climate Leaders Fellowship was the perfect experience to open my eyes to the world and help me branch out. Being a part of this huge community just made me realize maybe the problems in our world aren’t as disconnected as I thought. The one thing that I am most proud of is being able to complete the app on time because, contrary to my initial belief, making an app from scratch is no easy feat.

Tips for Others

• Be organized (the main reason I was so stressed is that I didn’t know what to do when).
• Time Management is Key (with school, CLF can get away from you).
• Follow all the steps, and you will be fine.
• If you also plan on an app, research is key!! Plan everything out before jumping headfirst.
• Show up to the meetings, you would be surprised how much you can learn from them.
• Enjoy the process because before you know it it will be over.

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Give Clothes A Second Life

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I’m Ricardo Torres, a high school student and community organizer from Brooklyn. I hold the positions of Mayor of Midwood High School and President of My Brother’s Keeper, but beyond these titles, my passion lies in making a meaningful impact through my work. Whether it’s assisting a classmate, organizing a clothing drive, or advocating for climate justice, I approach every endeavor with purpose and conviction. I firmly believe that leadership begins with kindness and culminates in tangible action.

I am Jingwen, I’m 16 years old, and I live in New York City. Outside of CLF, I enjoy volunteering, hanging out with friends, and exploring new places! I love working with children, particularly teaching, as I believe change begins by educating the younger generation.

Project Background & Overview

Ricardo’s Background & Goals

This was my second year participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship, where I focused on addressing the pressing issues of clothing waste and clothing insecurity. These are two often-overlooked problems that can significantly impact the lives of students in our schools. In my school, many students lack essential basics like jackets or uniforms, while others discard perfectly good clothes. My goal was to bridge this gap and provide a more equitable distribution of clothing resources.

With the support of my school community and my friend Jingwen, we successfully collected over 300 clothing items and donated them to St. Mary’s, just as we had done the previous year. This project was not merely about giving; it was also about raising awareness and fostering the development of sustainable habits that discourage waste and promote reuse.

Jingwen’s Perspective & Motivation

New York City generates about 200,000 tons of clothing waste annually. A large portion of this comes from Brooklyn alone. New York City also has one of the largest homeless populations in the United States. With the rise of fast fashion, clothing recycling bins are becoming scarcer, and more and more clothes are ending up in landfills.

Living in New York City, I have been able to witness firsthand the impacts of poverty on people’s ability to access basic needs like clothing. I’ve seen individuals struggle to find proper attire for the weather or enough clean clothes to wear hygienically. Additionally, seeing tons of perfectly conditioned clothing go to waste is unsettling. It feels morally wrong that while so many people are in need, usable clothing is being thrown away instead of being directed to those who could benefit from it.

Project Execution

The drive took place entirely in our high school (Midwood High School), and I worked side by side with my friend Jingwen to make it happen. From creating flyers to setting up donation bins to staying after school to sort piles of clothes, we handled every part of the process together. Having someone just as committed as I was made a huge difference. Jingwen brought focus, organization, and creativity to every detail, and together we made the project feel intentional from start to finish.

We placed donation bins in high-traffic areas around the school, made announcements during homeroom, and spoke directly to students and staff about the importance of donating. What we were really trying to do was shift how people saw their role in sustainability. We weren’t just asking for clothes to collect; rather, we were inviting our community to participate in something bigger: reducing textile waste, supporting families in need, and using what we already have to make a difference.

Once the clothes were collected, we sorted them by age and type to make distribution easier. The donations included everything from winter coats and school uniforms to everyday outfits. Some students brought in just a few items; others brought full bags. Every single donation mattered.

Just like last year, we donated everything to St. Mary’s, a trusted community partner that ensures clothing goes directly to families who need it. Working with them again made the process feel full-circle, like we were continuing something that’s now becoming a tradition. They’ve always shown care and responsibility in their work, and it meant a lot to know that our efforts would be in good hands.

Impact

During our clothing drive, we collected gently used clothes in a cardboard box in the lobby. Among the donations were pants, shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Once the cardboard box was full, we transferred the clothes to garbage bags. We collected a total of three garbage bags full of clothes (~300 pieces). We noticed that while we were setting up the clothing drive, people would stop by and say, “I have clothes at home I don’t want, I’ll bring them in tomorrow!”

We donated the bags of clothes to St. Mary’s Clothing Drive. This organization does pick-ups where a driver will stop by to pick up the bags of clothes. On their website, they spread awareness of the effects of clothing insecurity on health and well-being. The organization then makes the clothing available to the public for free at its facility located at 230 Classon Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11205. They also sell a small portion of the clothes to help cover the cost of running the operation and create more valuable resources to give back to the community.

St Mary’s Clothing Drive helped our project succeed as it was able to make our clothing available to the public for those in need. Additionally, with the small amount they make through selling some of the clothes, they are able to expand resources and keep this operation running, where more people will become aware of the importance of clothing security and continue to assist those in need.

What made this project stand out wasn’t just the amount we collected, but rather it was how it brought people together. Whether someone donated, volunteered, or just asked questions about where the clothes were going, they became part of something meaningful. And that’s what made this year’s drive not only successful, but personal.

Personal Reflection

Ricardo

What truly stood out this year was not the sheer number of bags we packed, but the genuine care and commitment displayed by the individuals who participated. I realized that consistency is key when it comes to building trust and creating lasting impact. By repeating a successful initiative, we demonstrate our reliability and reliability. It was a gratifying feeling to know that we were not merely engaged in a one-time act of kindness, but rather contributing to the creation of a more sustainable future.

Jingwen and I played a crucial role in maintaining focus and intention throughout the project. This time, we made a conscious effort to pay closer attention to the sorting process, the partnerships we formed, and the clear articulation of the project’s purpose. Every decision we made felt more meaningful and purposeful. As a result of this project, I left feeling not only like a more effective leader but also as a more thoughtful and compassionate individual.

Jingwen

I received help from a friend in another Climate Leaders Fellowship cohort, Ricardo, who attends the same school and shares the same compassion for helping others. He has helped me set up the clothing drive and shared the information with the peers within the school. Being a part of Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel like I was in a community surrounded by people who are also motivated and inspired to help the community, but also making changes to help address the effects of climate change. The work of the people in Climate Leaders has inspired me. Within our project, I am most proud of the amount of clothes we were able to collect and finding an organization that takes clothing donations, and doing great things with it.

Tips for Others

• Start the clothing drive as early as possible to maximize the time period you have to collect clothes
• Create posters and spread the word with your peers about the clothing drive
• Do proper research to ensure the clothes are going to a good organization and use

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Shreenidhi Vasudevan

Cardboard That Holds Memories

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Hey! My name is Shreenidhi, I live in South Florida around the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area and I’m about to be a junior in high school. I love doing things that brighten up people’s day and help the environment. I am also super crafty and love painting. These are also the things that motivated me to join CLF!

Project Background & Overview

The problem I addressed was the amount of cardboard and boxes that are plainly thrown around. I found this out when I took a simple drive around my city and saw the amount of boxes and scraps that were littered around and wasted. I saw this in my own household as well. When I started to pay attention to the amount of packages that were delivered and simply thrown away, I thought of making it into some type of craft.

Project Execution

The purpose of my project was to reuse scraps of cardboard and to make it into picture frames that would be given to a senior living home. I started off by going around and collecting cardboard boxes and scraps. I would then cut and piece together the cardboard to make a functional picture frame. Since I felt that the color of the cardboard would be very boring to look at, I would paint it and draw fruits, dots, and bows on the frame.

I first called a local senior living home about 2 months prior to the time I wanted to distribute my actual frames. Once they said that it would be fine for me to stop by, I started constructing the actual frames. Since I was unsure how many frames I would have to make, I just estimated how many frames would be made if I made one big frame and one small frame for each person. I then went to the facility and stopped by each person to let them choose one small and big frame of their choice.

Impact

The effect was actually so motivating, not only did I recycle cardboard instead of letting it go to waste, I also brought smiles to the senior citizens that were living there. While they were debating about which frames they liked best, they were also cracking jokes and laughing the whole time.

Personal Reflection

As I made each one, I would have never imagined how much joy and happiness I could bring to the senior citizens I gave those frames to. After experiencing that, I realized that something so small could help the environment, be fun to make, and brighten up someone else’s day.

Participating in the CLF fellowship was like a community and hearing so many ideas inspired me. Especially the way I was able to connect with everyone there with the variety of activities and discussions that were hosted every meeting.

Tips for Others

• Just start your project. In the worst case scenario, the only thing that can happen is your project not going exactly how you planned out, but going in another path. Don’t think about the what-ifs, just start. Some people might say “that project was so easy, I could have done that!”. The point is, they didn’t do it. If you keep thinking about avoiding judgement, you won’t even be able to start. People judge everything, don’t think about them.
• Don’t be scared to reach out to other organizations. While I didn’t quite work with an organization and only asked if I was allowed to bring my project to their senior living home, it was still nervewrecking. I think it is important to remember that the worst thing they can say to you is no, and that’s okay. There are so many other organizations out there and at least one of them will understand your ideas and be willing to try it out!
• Choose a topic you’re passionate about. Being a highschooler, it can be so pressuring to do a project that people won’t find weird or something solely for colleges. Don’t do that! Do something you like, something you actually have an interest in working on. If you have no interest in what your project is about, you won’t have any motivation to complete it.
• If you have an idea but are too nervous to execute it, just try it. Not starting your idea is worse than your idea not working out the way you want it to. You never know until you try it out. Maybe your project could be the next big thing!
• Remember that no project is as complicated as you see it. It is just the perspective you look at, if you break down your project into steps, you’ll get to the end goal just as you like it! Good luck!!

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Cydney Vigelius

Learning To Repurpose

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Hi! My name is Cydney Vigelius and I have lived in Abbotsford BC my entire life. Growing up here, I spent every summer of mine at the creek, or at the beach just across the border in Birch Bay. As a 15 year old girl, I have tried a ton of hobbies and sports, like most teenagers and kids do. From tennis, to ice hockey, or horseback riding, and crafts like watercolours, all the way to macrame. I never realized how everything around me was made of or contained inside of plastic, until I became uninterested in the things I once enjoyed.

I remember throwing away dozens of dried out markers and paint bottles, or broken hockey gear, and especially the five-pound tape balls that my whole team made in just a few weeks. In recent years, starting when I was about 11 or 12, I realized just how much stuff just my family can consume and dispose of in a year, month, or even week. I began to sort and recycle everything I could, pick up litter every time I saw it, and buy the eco-friendly option when I could. Going back even earlier into my childhood, I have wanted to be a marine biologist. All those summers spent in the water, fishing and snorkeling, have wired my brain in a way I can’t explain. The ocean became one of my greatest passions, I watched countless hours of documentaries, and read countless books on the life that lived beneath the waves. I was on such a high, consuming everything I could about the sea; and then I hit the ground harder than I could have imagined. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. How could I have never known about this? And that is really what started my drive for conservation and lowering my consumerism.

Project Background & Overview

I wanted to make a difference, something bigger than just turning the faucet off when I brush my teeth or shopping at thrift stores instead of buying things brand new. So I started to research everything that had to do with reducing plastic production. It was a few weeks in when I realized I will never be able to stop or reduce the plastic production, but I can repurpose some of it instead of throwing it away. This was when I found Rustic Pathways on my Instagram, I knew I wanted to do volunteering with them, but I wasn’t able to go on one of the trips, so I found the Climate Leaders Fellowship opportunity and applied. At the time, my class at school was learning 3-D design, and we had the privilege to print our designs on the 3-D printers. I would sit in that class and look at all the plastic figurines and parts being made that would end up being thrown away. I knew that my project for my CLF cycle would be something to do with my schools rapid use of 3-D printing filament, and this was when I discovered The Petamentor. The Petamentor is a 3-D Printer filament extruder, that turns plastic bottles into filament, using minimal equipment and parts. So I decided to make one.

Project Execution

I partnered up with my robotics teacher, Mr. Amendt, whom without, this project would have never been successful, nor completed. He helped me order the electronic parts, and design and alter the supplied 3-D printed parts. There were countless roadblocks that came with building the extruder, and many sleepless nights on my end that I spent researching, and designing parts. Not only was Mr. Amendt a huge help with building this, my dad was as well. We spent dozens of hours after school wiring, cutting, and assembling the extruder, I am sure he was just as glad to have it be finished as I was. Unfortunately, I finished the extruder during the last week of school, so I wasn’t able to print anything too cool with it, but it does work. For the one thing that did end up getting printing, thank you Mr. Amendt for spending so much time figuring out the heat sensitivity and desired temperature of the filament.

Impact

I spent so much time, alongside Mr. Amendt, and my dad, that I’m not sure if I made an impact yet. Perhaps once it is running, and I can turn my weekly bottles into filament for students at my school to use, but until then, this project has only had an impact on me.

Personal Reflection

The impact the extruder has made so far is strictly on me, and who I am. I would have never attempted something like this, if not for the unwavering support and generosity of my teacher. Half the time, I did not have any faith in myself or the extruder, and it seemed like progress was never made, only mistakes. Whether it was a facade or not, Mr. Amendt never lacked belief in me to design and execute my vision for my project, and I’m not sure if he understand show much it meant to me. I never thought I would do something like this, and I never even knew that the CLF existed, however I am forever grateful to have had this experience.

Tips for Others

• Set a personal goal; what do YOU want to accomplish?
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance, there are people who will be there for you!
• Don’t be scared of failing or not making a “big enough” impact, if it is good enough for you, the rest doesn’t matter.
• And finally, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to make a difference, so remember that.

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Sprouting Change: One Seed At A Time

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Hi! I’m Avani Yaltho, I’m 17 years old, and I’m from Houston, Texas. I love creating digital art, reading, and playing soccer and piano. After taking AP Environmental Science this past year, I started paying more attention to the environment, especially issues like deforestation and urban heat islands. It really made me want to do something to help, even if it was just in my local community.

Project Background & Overview

For this project, I wanted to raise awareness about the importance of native Texas plants and help educate students in my area. Growing up, I’ve noticed that a lot of the natural Texas landscape has been replaced with plants that don’t really belong here. Native plants matter because they support local wildlife, use less water, and are a big part of what makes Texas so unique. I wanted other students to understand that and see how even small changes, like what we choose to plant at home or at school, can really make a difference.

Project Execution

I ended up organizing a seed bombing event at my school. We made flyers, sent out emails, and handed out info sheets to explain what seed bombing is and why it’s helpful for the environment. I also messaged my friends and asked them to spread the word to as many people as they could. We partnered with our school’s environmental club too, which was super helpful because students were able to earn points for attending. That definitely helped get more people involved.

Impact

Before the event, we put together little seed bomb kits using recycled containers, native seeds, clay, compost, water, and some paper so students could decorate their seed bombs. A lot of people showed up and some even took extra seed bombs home to plant in their backyards. My friend Kathy and I planted a few near the front of our school (with permission) and we’ve already seen some of them starting to sprout, which was really exciting. A few other students also told us they had similar results at home. It was amazing to see how something so simple could actually work.

Personal Reflection

I worked on this project with my friend Kathy Xi, who was also in the Climate Leaders Fellowship. We teamed up and also worked with our school’s environmental club to help advertise and organize the event. I’m really grateful to have been part of the 2025 CLF Fall Cycle. Everyone was so nice and helpful, and the facilitators were always there when we got stuck. It was also exciting to meet other students who care about the environment as much as I do! I think the part I’m most proud of is how many students came up to us during the event to ask questions or just get involved. It was really awesome to see my community come together and get their hands dirty!

Tips for Others

• Be open to criticism, especially from your cohort’s facilitators: They know what they are doing!!
• Collaborate with other organizations or students. I collaborated with my school’s environmental advocacy club and they helped alleviate some of that stress. It’s really overwhelming to do it all by yourself so don’t!
• Be flexible. Not everything will go as planned and you will face major setbacks. But if you don’t let them get to you you can honestly do anything!

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Joanna Zhu

Not Just Clothes: Fighting Fast Fashion

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My name is Joanna, and I’m a 14 year old student living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I’m interested in sustainability and civic engagement. I am always looking for ways to make a difference and create change — I’ve found my place in advocacy work and opening up space for youth voices to be heard. I’m also incredibly passionate about public speaking and learning more about the world around me. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in various civic initiatives and take on leadership roles in different settings.

I previously served a term on the City of Edmonton Youth Council as a Youth-At-Large for the 2024–2025 term. Furthermore, I was a member of the Youth Water Council, where I worked with other youth to plan, create, and distribute hundreds of EduKits to schools along the North Saskatchewan Watershed to promote environmental stewardship and watershed health. I’ve always felt connected to my environment, spending many of my days in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Consequently, I love trail running, hiking, and gardening!

Project Background & Overview

I wanted to address the problem of textile waste. I recently found out that Canadians dispose of nearly 500 million kilograms of fabric per year, and I was really taken aback. I think we often see fast fashion and textile waste as insignificant compared to other climate problems — it’s ‘just clothes’, right? But the unfortunate reality is that the fashion industry is actually the second-largest industrial polluter. In my city, there is no formal municipal textile recycling program, and consequently, clothes often end up in the landfill, or to thrift stores, where the majority of donated clothes end up in the landfill. I’ve always been passionate about speaking out about fast fashion, it’s an issue that matters to me personally both from a climate perspective and an ethical perspective. As an immigrant from a country known as ‘the world’s factory’, I’ve seen relatives suffer through long working hours, low pay, poor working conditions, and limited job security. And China still has some of the better working conditions in the underdeveloped world. I cannot even imagine what workers in places like Bangladesh, Cambodia, or Ethiopia go through. Being fashionable is a privilege, not a right that should come at the expense of lives.

Project Execution

For my project, I organized a clothing drive at my school. I didn’t want it to just be a clothing drive, though: I wanted to spread awareness about the issue of textile waste, climate change, and how the consumption culture bred by popular media affects it all. My target audience was students at my junior high school, mainly teenagers and preteens aged 12-15. I designed, printed, and put up posters around my school about the ethical and environmental impacts of fast fashion. I tried to choose facts that were age-appropriate but eye-opening. I chose an organization that shares these values, a unique thrift store called More Than a Fad, which supports Adeara, a local women’s addiction recovery centre. Traditional thrift stores are great, but they also come with limitations. Many are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of donations, and a large percentage of items still end up in landfills or are shipped overseas, contributing to environmental and economic issues in other countries.

Impact

I collected over 300 lbs of clothing in over 40 bags (note that the photo attached was taken at the start of the drive!). Anecdotally, I also saw students reading the posters between classes and talking about it with friends. I worked with More Than a Fad for donations, and they helped my project by providing a clear, ethical destination for the clothing we collected. Knowing that items would be resold through an organization that supports women in recovery gave the project an added layer of purpose.

Personal Reflection

Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made me feel hopeful. Climate anxiety is very real. There’s many days where I feel utterly and completely overwhelmed, like nothing I do could ever be enough to make a difference. It’s hard to feel otherwise when the headlines are full of disasters, rising temperatures, and inaction from changemakers. But during the Climate Leaders Fellowship, I saw students just like me, all around the world, who were just as passionate as me about the environment. During discussions, I saw fellows get emotional and impassioned about environmental stewardship, and I truly felt touched. Participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship made climate change feel less abstract and more solvable. It felt powerful to actually do something to tackle this issue, even if it was small. I’m proud of my project because I engaged members of my school community. When I walked through the halls to get to classes, I often overheard students in shock talking about statistics on posters that I made. Awareness doesn’t need to always come from big speeches or presentations, and I truly hope that I planted the seed of curiosity for students to do their own research, and potentially their own projects, to tackle climate change.

Tips for Others

• Never be afraid to reach out to other people. The worst they can say is no: it’s cliché but it’s true! I live by the motto “don’t ask, don’t get” — you never know unless you try.
• Time management is everything. I found that time blocking worked really well for me personally.
• Use the connections you already have to support your project, whether it be a club/NGO you’re a part of or a teacher you’re close to, use your connections as leverage!
• Even if your plan isn’t complete yet, getting started is the hardest part. You can figure it out as you go: there really is no need for an incredibly detailed plan as you’ll probably end up changing it at the end of the day.

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