Lately, the headlines read like a postapocalyptic science-fiction tale. Wildfires are erupting across the planet in China, India, and Bolivia and searing through 25 million acres of Australia. The World Health Organization reportseverything — clean air, water, and soil — is at stake, and the time to take action on these matters was yesterday.
Ella Robertson McKay, managing director of One Young World, acknowledges that climate change is an urgent matter. That’s why she’s so committed to improving the situation before it gets any worse.
“I really felt I had to do something, particularly on climate,” she shared in a School of Social Justice video. “we’re in this time period where climate action is a now-or-never thing. You and I are going to grow up as adults and young change-makers. We’re all at this age where we’re going to either be part of the solution or part of the problem.”
One Young World’s emphasis on environmental issues is evident in its numerous initiatives that specifically aim to mitigate human impacts on nature. The organization’s commitment isn’t just theoretical; it has translated into measurable outcomes.
For example, since 2018, One Young World ambassadors have mitigated 2.52 million total CO2 emissions through various projects, demonstrating the potent combination of youthful energy and innovative thinking in tackling complex environmental challenges. Each year at its summits, One Young World does a deep dive into the climate crisis alongside other pertinent matters such as peace, women’s health, food scarcity, education, and mental health issues. Through this process a whopping 97.9% of delegates have revealed the summit raised their awareness on these hot topics.
Case Studies: Water, Trees, and Plastic Reduction
One Young World’s more than 17,000 ambassadors have made noteworthy contributions to achieving sustainable development goals. In its 2023 impact report, the organization revealed that it’s implementing successful initiatives including 373.45 million liters of water conserved or cleaned and offering 25,000 people access to affordable, clean energy; 177,542 people have been inspired to take immediate action to get involved with climate change.
Budding leaders under One Young World’s guidance have implemented sustainable water resources management practices in communities with water scarcity, improving immediate access to potable water and educating communities on sustainable water use, ensuring long-term benefits.
Olivier Nihimbazwe of Burundi is a One Young World ambassador who founded Water for Development, a nonprofit giving individuals access to clean and safe water, hygiene, and sanitation services. He collaborates with local youth to produce and distribute chlorine for water treatment via dispensers and sanitized water systems.
Additionally, Water for Development has integrated microbial analysis and water testing using rapid test kits. Thanks to Nihimbazwe’s efforts, 49,000 have benefited from safe drinking water.
In the area of afforestation, One Young World ambassadors have successfully planted tens of thousands of trees. These efforts combat deforestation, restore biodiversity, and improve air quality, directly counteracting the adverse effects of industrialization and urban expansion.
One Young World’s ambassadors have aided in decreasing deforestation in the Amazon, restoring coastlines and coral reefs, and planting 692,360 trees while sowing seeds of change by getting 177,542 people involved in climate change actions.
Irina Fedorenko-Aula, Ph.D., a One Young World ambassador, is combating climate change by increasing the presence of trees as the co-founder and chief carbon officer at Vlinder, a social enterprise committed to planting over a billion mangrove trees. Vlinder’s mission is to transform into a significant player in the blue carbon market by democratizing access to carbon investments and high-quality blue carbon projects. Vlinder focuses on mangroves and other coastal wetlands, known to sequester carbon 10 times faster than tropical forests, operating in ecosystems across Kenya, Senegal, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Myanmar.
Addressing the critical environmental concern of plastic pollution, One Young World participants have launched campaigns to reduce plastic usage and enhance recycling processes. In fact, according to the impact report, 69,500 metric tons of plastic have been reduced. These projects have prevented plastic waste from entering the oceans, promoting a cleaner and healthier marine environment.
One Young World Instilling Hope for Greener Days Ahead
As humankind looks to the future, the role of organizations like One Young World, which are mobilizing and empowering the next generation of change-makers, is becoming increasingly crucial. The environmental challenges Earth faces require a concerted effort — not only from current leaders, but also from dynamic young minds who bring fresh perspectives and relentless enthusiasm to the table.
Through education, mentorship, and financial support, One Young World nurtures these budding talents, equipping them with the tools to lead the fight against environmental degradation and toward a more sustainable world.
It’s clear that the power of informed and motivated youth can lead to profound environmental change, proving that the right support and platform can indeed turn passion into impactful action.
One of the ways Ella Robertson McKay says One Young World will ramp up its efforts in the race against climate change is through its coveted partnerships with respected names such as United Way, IKEA Foundation, BMW Group, and Deloitte.
“We really believe that big business has the power to make an impact and that most of the research technology and innovation required to address, for example, climate change, is sitting within big businesses or certainly being financed by big businesses,” Robertson McKay explained to Warrington Worldwide. “We are really proud of all of our partnerships and how inclusive we are.”
