Greta Thunberg
Greta is a well-known climate activist who began by protesting the Swedish parliament. It’s a given that many governments around the world just aren’t doing enough to prevent climate change. Greta organized Fridays for Future which is a worldwide school climate strike. The movement has brought media attention across the globe and she has helped raise awareness. So far, more than one million students have joined in on the strike. This 16-year-old has been advocating for climate change action for years and she’s an inspiration to young people everywhere. Make sure to see her passionate speech at the UN Climate Summit.
Boyan Slat
It was disappointing to Boyan Slat when he discovered tons of plastic in the water during a fishing trip he took in Greece. A couple years later when he turned 18, he launched Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit that addresses the plastic and pollution issues our oceans face. The Dutch inventor went on to raise more than $31.5 million and has since developed river catchment systems that have reduced the amount of plastic and microplastics that make it into our oceans.
Emma Gonzalez
Emma Gonzalez is one of the students that survived the horrific school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Alongside Alex Wind, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky, Jaclyn Corin, and others, they have fought to end gun violence. At a March for Lives rally she gave a moving speech that addressed her classmates who died. Emma and the work of her partners led Florida lawmakers to pass the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act in March of 2018. She co-founded Never Again MSD and still fights to end gun violence.
Kelvin Doe
At only 11 years old, Kelvin Doe, one of Sierra Leone’s most famous inventors began to look at different ways he could use technology to provide power to homes. At the age of 13, Doe used acid batteries, metal in a tin cup, and soda to provide power and later on, he would use recycled generator parts and reused the material to build a community radio. Kelvin’s mentor, a Ph.D. student at MIT by the name of David Sengeh said of Doe, “Other young people suddenly feel the can be like Kelvin.” He has inspired many children in Sierra Leone.
Malala Yousafzai
Malala is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. At the age of 17, she won the prize for her efforts as a humanitarian. After surviving being shot by the Taliban in Pakistan, she has been a well-known promoter for young girls and women pursuing education. Malala has continued her work by forming the organization, The Malala Fund and she’s currently attending Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall to work on her bachelor’s degree.