Every day, our activists are raising their voices for change and inspiring others to fight for climate justice. Which is why we want to introduce you to some of these amazing activists from across Africa.
Meet six ONE Activists — Adenike, Faith, Juliet, Moses, Tonny, and Chris — who are leading the fight against the climate crisis in their communities and beyond.
Chris Arunga, Kenya
What inspired his activism: Chris first heard about climate change in school. But when the impacts of the crisis hit closer to home, he decided to take action. Severe prolonged droughts in Kenya threatened water and food security, which impacted lives, livestock, and livelihoods. Chris began thinking about how he could contribute to better preparing his community for climate change and mitigating its effects. Through his activism work with ONE, he hopes to collaborate with other activists and play a role in influencing climate policy in Africa.
“This is a rare opportunity we accord ourselves, one of the most important missions of our lifetime.”
Chris Arunga
His call to action for anyone who isn’t sure where to start their climate activism: “Even the smallest of interventions count. Be it planting that tree in your backyard, proper disposal of your trash, adding your signature to that petition, donating towards climate interventions, replacing single use plastics with biodegradable materials, taking climate change awareness courses, or passing climate information to communities around you. All these count and build towards a greater goal. This way you play your part in saving your planet for the future generations.”
His words that inspire us: “This is a rare opportunity we accord ourselves, one of the most important missions of our lifetime. It is only a matter of time before the effects of climate change catch up with all the countries in the world, therefore the best time to act is now.”
Faith Ayegba, Nigeria
What inspired her activism: Faith became aware of just how important the fight for climate justice was after her father passed away. When he was laid to rest, she “saw the soil beyond the surface,” which made her realize how vital soil is to the survival of people, ecosystems, and our planet. She began thinking about how it withstands so many natural disasters. Ever since, she’s been advocating for the soil and in turn, climate justice. Through her work, she hopes to help grassroots communities adapt to climate change and to influence policymakers to create policies that help those same communities.
Her call to action for investments in Africa’s green transition: “The potential for a climate-positive growth in Africa is enormous. Investing in Africa’s green transition will help people lift themselves out of poverty because of the immense opportunities and value chain involved in green jobs. These jobs are able to absorb the growing African youth population into gainful and meaningful job functions.”
Her words that inspire us: “For citizens who want to take action, my message is that they’re the change! Every little effort or action — either their voice, letters, petitions, or practical demonstrations in green transitions — is a diamond discovered towards buying back and saving our collective world.”
“Where there is ‘will’ there is a ‘way.’ Young people must be front and center of ensuring we hold our governments and policymakers accountable.”
Moses Gichuho Kamau
Moses Gichuho Kamau, Kenya
What inspired his activism: Moses is working to help the next generation of African youth leaders become climate changemakers. He first got involved in fighting for climate justice in 2019 when he saw how back-to-back below-average rainy seasons in Kenya led to the longest drought in the region in 40 years, affecting peoples’ lives and livelihoods. He realized climate change affects everyone, everywhere, and he decided it was time to act. Now, he hopes to inspire millions of fellow climate justice activists to campaign alongside communities facing the worst impacts of climate change.
His call to action for anyone who feels hopeless about climate change: “Do not despair. It is the small actions done consistently in our little corners that combine to make the big difference. Plug in and do your part however small (whether planting a tree, advocacy, or holding our leaders accountable). It matters and does make a difference.”
His words that inspire us: “Where there is ‘will’ there is a ‘way.’ Young people must be front and center of ensuring we hold our governments and policymakers accountable.”
Adenike Oladosu, Nigeria
What inspired her activism: Adenike has advocated for climate action on the national and international stage. She first became passionate about climate change during her undergraduate studies in Benue state in Nigeria. There, she saw the challenges that farmers and herdsmen faced from rising temperatures. She saw the “once fertile landscape” fast become “degraded and faced with conflict.” She decided to advocate for climate justice because “every bit of action counts.” Now as a ONE Activist, she hopes to learn, be inspired, and connect with people.
Her call to action to any world leaders who aren’t doing enough right now: “They should not play politics with the climate crisis. Now that they are in power, they should do whatever they can to act on the climate crisis. They should put people over profit rather than postponing the climate crisis into the future.”
Her words that inspire us: “No one is immune to the climate crisis. The more we delay in acting on the climate crisis, the greater the loss and damage.”
Juliet Nwobodo, Nigeria
What inspired her activism: Juliet always had an interest in climate, especially during her geography classes in school, which gave her insight into the environment. But Juliet’s climate action started in 2021, when she saw the first-hand impact of the climate crisis after her friends were affected by flooding in Nigeria. She took a particular interest in how the climate crisis is impacting women and girls and gender equality. Juliet realized climate change is a multifaceted issue and its impacts can linger — and she was inspired to take action. She now hopes that by adding her voice to the call for climate action, she can raise awareness and inspire stakeholders to take action.
Her call to action for anyone who doubts the impact of investing in climate: “Investing in Africa’s green transition can help lift people out of poverty by creating jobs, reducing health costs, providing reliable energy access, improving agricultural productivity, building resilience to climate change, ensuring clean water and sanitation, promoting sustainable tourism, and empowering local communities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Her words that inspire us: “Africa is truly blessed with resources, [and there are] so many untapped potentials in Africa. I believe that African countries have a vast potential and opportunity for climate-positive growth if we embrace collaboration and shared commitment towards a greener Africa.”
Tonny Silas Dauda, Nigeria
What inspired his activism: Tonny first became aware of the severity of the climate crisis in school, where he learned about pollution and ozone layer damage. Then in 2016, he met inspiring young people who were taking action, and he realized the power of young people to lead the climate change fight. For him, climate change used to be “far and heard in the news,” but it “is now here in Nigeria.” He wants to be a part of “those who did something to stop it while we still have the chance.” Today, he hopes to be a global advocate for a just transition for Africa and grow his work as a climate activist.
“Imagine the prosperity we will have in Africa and how we improve the quality of lives of people, while stopping climate change. That is what green growth in Africa means.”
Tonny Silas Dauda
His call to action for everyone about Africa’s leadership role in green growth: “Did you know a large part of the resources the advanced countries use for their own green manufacturing comes from Africa? Imagine we decide to do the manufacturing ourselves. Imagine the jobs we will create. Imagine the prosperity we will have in Africa and how we improve the quality of lives of people, while stopping climate change. That is what green growth in Africa means. I think particularly for Africa, we have a shot at making sure that the world listens to us as we speak with one voice.”
His words that inspire us: “Start wherever you are and don’t think that any action is too small. For a global crisis like this, every little action matters.”
Feeling inspired? Want to join our activists in demanding climate justice? Add your name to Adenike’s petition.
Featured image credit: Markus Spiske via Unsplash.
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