I grew up in a community on the outskirts of the Zambian city of Kitwe. In the village, droughts, seasonal floods, and erratic rainfall patterns led to poor crop yields. Children like myself would sometimes struggle with learning as we went without a morning meal every now and then. Pollution from nearby copper mines killed the fish in the nearby river we depended on for protein. Respiratory diseases ravaged the community, causing a surge in hospital admissions. I struggled to even call my community home because there was little to be proud of.
I saw children and young people as a ray of hope to help solve all of our environmental challenges. But they all needed someone to inspire them back home as they failed to stand up and fight their anxiety for the future. So, at the age of 14, I turned to radio and media to inspire hope and call my community to action. The weekly radio show I broadcast has now reached over two million weekly listeners. This experience made me realize the power children have toward inspiring community action for the planet.
My childhood efforts eventually gave birth to what we now call the Agents of Change Foundation. This youth-led Zambian organization uses radio, photography, and short videos to mobilize over 1,000 children across Zambia toward sustainable development and climate action. Over the last five years, we have produced over 1,500 podcasts offering tips on climate change, resource efficiency, and sustainable consumption. My efforts have been recognized by President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Junior Chamber International of Osaka (Japan).
Throughout my entire life, I have learned that you don’t have to be an adult to leave a positive mark on your immediate family, friends, and community. We can use our energy, skills, and tools while young to create a positive cascade effect on the planet. I have always dreamed of a world where social and environmental ills were eliminated, and that has pushed me to remain a warrior against climate change—all the while raising a new generation of warriors.