'UN has given me chance to be a global leader in climate education'
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Sophia Kianni is a climate activist and founder of international nonprofit Climate Cardinals. Kianni, 22, is the youngest member of the United Nations' (UN) advisory group on climate change.
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, has a unique ability to listen intently, understand diverse perspectives, and inspire others to take climate action.
When I was 18, I was invited by António to represent the US as the youngest member of the inaugural UN youth advisory group on climate change.
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I saw firsthand that António is a climate leader deeply committed to addressing global challenges through inclusive and innovative approaches. His decision to create the group demonstrated his belief in the power of young people to drive meaningful change.
His dedication to environmental justice and sustainable development is evident in his strategic initiatives and the way he engages with all stakeholders, from world leaders to grassroots activists.
Under his leadership, I have learned the importance of inclusivity and the value of diverse voices in climate decision-making processes. His commitment to empowering young people is evident in his letter inviting me to join the youth advisory group. He explained to me that “climate change is ultimately a youth and intergenerational justice issue.”
He added: "What began with a single person protest, has become a global movement. Youth around the world are making their voices heard, and the UN is listening.”
António’s early career achievements are inspiring. Starting his political career in his mid-20s, he quickly rose to prominence due to his visionary approach. This resonates deeply with me as a young leader, highlighting the impact that youth can have when given the opportunity and platform to lead.
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Working as a young UN advisor has taught me the value of collaboration in shaping global policies. It has provided me with a deeper understanding of the complexities of international diplomacy and the importance of persistence and resilience in driving systemic change.
In my role, I worked directly with the UN envoy on youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, to consult with diverse groups representing the global youth climate movement. I had the opportunity to co-chair the first ever pre-COP Youth4Climate Summit organised by the Italian government.
As a co-chair, I brought together 400 young people from more than 100 countries; we wrote formal policy resolutions that I presented to ministers from over 40 countries, including John Kerry.
It has been a privilege to showcase the importance of having young people at the decision-making table when it comes to addressing the biggest issue of our time.
The first seeds for Climate Cardinals were sown when I recognised the significant gap in climate education resources accessible to non-English speakers. This came from my experiences translating climate information for my relatives in Iran.
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Witnessing the challenges they faced in understanding critical climate issues due to language barriers motivated me to create a platform that could bridge this gap. Thus, Climate Cardinals was born out of a desire to make climate education inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of language.
Over the past few years, we have fundraised to hire full-time staff and grown to 10,000 volunteers in 80 countries. We recently partnered with Google as one of their first youth-led grantees and piloted their new artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to automate our translations.
With their help, we have now translated 500,000-plus words of resources into over 40 languages for partners, including the Yale Center for Climate Communications and UN development programme.
One of the primary challenges we face is ensuring the sustainability and scalability of our translation efforts. My aspiration is to become a global leader in climate education and leveraging advanced technologies, like AI, to enhance our translation capabilities and reach.
My journey has taught me that age should never be a barrier to making a difference. When I started Climate Cardinals, I was just a teenager with a vision and I had no idea it would grow into an international movement.
The key is to start where you are, use what you have and do what you can. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your vision and never be afraid to ask for help. Remember, every small action counts and, collectively, we can drive significant change.
Youth leaders bring a sense of urgency, creativity, and a long-term vision that is essential for addressing the climate crisis.
Having a voice as a youth leader today is also crucial. Young people are the ones who will inherit the consequences of today's decisions, so it is vital that our perspectives and ideas are included in policy-making processes.
Watch: Sophia Kianni is making climate crisis resources accessible for everyone
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