Climate Action's Young Leaders: A Movement on the Rise

As of January 2026, an international consensus was made that the “Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold” is no longer a future threat, but an already-met milestone. Around the world, policy and scientific bodies are urging that national governments and multinational corporations fulfill their promises to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, strengthen national pledges, etc. However, various ideological shifts have created drag on — the much needed — immediate action.

For example, the United States has once again pulled out of the Paris Agreement, further weakening global consensus. However, these shifts aren’t purely political. Many governments, such as the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand, have scaled back their aggressive climate efforts and have favored economic matters instead. These stark circumstances reflect the lack of urgency and accountability needed to drive climate action. With the climate crisis not recognizing borders, it continues to leave its mark across the globe. 

As of January 2026, the people of Tuvalu have historically become the world’s first “officially recognized” climate migrants with a permanent legal pathway to another country. Through the Falepili Union Treaty, which officially came into force in late 2024, the treaty’s first operational phase had been initiated in mid-2025. In December 2025, the first group of Tuvaluan citizens arrived in Australia under this specific visa. Then, in July 2025, “over 8,750 people — roughly 80% of Tuvalu’s total population — registered for the visa ballot program” (Foreign Policy, 2025). Unfortunately, for 11,000 people still on the islands in early 2026, the crisis is a daily reality. At the current rate of global warming and the lack of political action, many areas where populations live now will become uninhabitable for future generations.

However, youth across the globe are recognizing that years of this threatening reality call for radical change. Organizing multi-front campaigns that focus on systemic change and accountability, young people are moving from generalized “awareness” to direct action. A 2025 publication from Tufts University states that “nearly 1 in 3 young people (33%)” who prioritize climate change as a top issue have attended a protest or rally to demand action (Tufts, 2025). To further explore youth perspectives on climate action, I turn to sixteen-year-old Tiffany, a co-founder of Planet Advocate, a student-led organization that addresses environmental issues while ensuring its initiatives are dynamic, purpose-driven, and far-reaching. Her photo is not included in this piece, at her request, out of respect for her privacy. During the pandemic, Tiffany lived in Hawaii, where she had been able to observe the islands’ benefits of minimized human impact. Thus, sparking her interest in climate change on an environmental and systemic level.

“Cleaner beaches and vibrant reefs returned and showed me that positive improvements to our environment were definitely possible and motivated me to help start Planet Advocate!”

— Tiffany, 16, Co-Founder of Planet Advocate

Tiffany’s reflection mirrors the increasing trend of youth advocacy regarding the climate crisis and demonstrates the simple, yet significant strategies that help mitigate the harm our Earth faces. Youth have created a global movement with individual daily actions — shifting toward a plant-based diet and halving food waste — and political/systemic actions — voting specifically for climate-conscious leaders and advocating for laws that force fossil fuel companies to pay for local climate damage.

To learn more or support youth-led initiatives focused on climate action and environmental advocacy, consider the work of Planet Advocate, a student-led organization dedicated to mobilizing young people to address pressing environmental challenges through dynamic, purpose-driven action. You can also visit the Resource Hub under One of Many’s Take Action tab for more ways to engage with global youth-led environmental efforts.