The last few years have been truly a testament to the power of youth in driving societal change, especially when it comes to climate issues. Be it Greta Thunberg’s inspiring speech at the UN against climate change, or Licypriya Kangujam demanding historical dues at COP27, believe it or not, this is the era of young activists. Young activists all over the world are selflessly fighting for the environment and the next generation, whereas others are preferring to stay tight-lipped or making hay while the sun shines. In the spirit of all the positive things happening around the climate, we are highlighting these young Climate Samurais (Warriors) from India who have truly set a milestone at this age working tirelessly for the environment.
Licypriya Kangujam
Licypriya Devi Kangujam born on 2nd October 2011 is one of the youngest Environmentalist Activists from India. She is the Founder of The Child Movement. She has been championing her cause since six years old to protect, preserve and nurture our environment by fighting climate change. This year she entered the Guinness World Record Book after spelling out a sentence with 6,056 plastic bottles. She also grabbed the headline confronting UK energy minister Zac Goldsmith at COP27 over the release date of climate activists who were jailed for protesting to stop new oil and gas licenses across the United Kingdom.
Licypriya’s has been campaigning for climate action in India for years now to pass new laws to curb India’s high pollution levels and to make climate change literacy mandatory in schools. She is leading India’s movement against climate change.
Hasini Lakshmi Narayanan
Born in Chennai in 2008 Hasini Lakshmi Narayanan is 14 years old climate activist from India, she is the Young Nutrition Ambassador for the Integrated Child Development Scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Founder of The First Step,TEDx Speaker, and Freelance Writer. Each of the roles she performs speaks about the campaigns she is passionate about including creating awareness about the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Like the diverse people she has been hosting on her channel, her areas of focus have also been growing.
In January 2022, she gave her second TED talk on climate change.
Vinisha Umashankar
Vinisha Umashankar born in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India, in 2007 became popular worldwide after her speech at the COP26 climate change conference held in Glasgow. The young innovator and environmentalist have also developed a solar-powered ironing cart as a clean alternative to the charcoal-powered street irons widely used in India. She is also the winner of Prince William’s Earthshot environmental prize for her groundbreaking innovation.
Prasiddhi Singh
Prasiddhi Singh (born 31 October 2012) is a social entrepreneur and environmental activist, from the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. She has been recognised with the Prime Minister National Child Award 2021 (Highest Civilian Honour) as the youngest social entrepreneur and the recipient of the Diana Award 2022. Prasiddhi Singh is the youngest fruit forest creator in India as per the India book of Records 2020. She recently completed the plantation of 5000 native saplings in collaboration with State Bank of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. With this, she has reached the mark of 81,000 plants. She is on a mission to make the planet greener and to create awareness among both youth and adults
Ridhima Pandey
Ridhima Pandey is an Indian environmental activist who advocates for action against climate change. At the age of nice she filed a suit against the Indian government for not taking enough steps to combat climate change. The flash flood of 2013 in Kedarnath was a wake-up call for environmental activists, and since then she has been constantly working for a better tomorrow. In November this year, Ridhima attended her first court hearing at the Tribunal on her complaint against the illegal mining at Nandhaur Wildlife Century under the guise of the Disaster Management Act 2005.
These little warriors have been doing wonders in protecting the climate, they have been at forefront in protecting our mother nature like a true Samurai, hope they