Youth Climate Warriors: Leading the Charge with Fridays for Future

Category: Community Sharing
Sub-Category: Voices of Influence
Date: May 16, 2025

The planet is heating up, storms are intensifying, and time is running out. Yet, amidst these challenges, a generation of young activists is rising, armed with passion and purpose. At InsightOutVision, our Voices of Influence series amplifies those who spark change, embodying resilience and independent thinking. Today, we spotlight youth leaders from Fridays for Future and similar movements, whose bold actions are reshaping the climate conversation. Through exclusive interviews, we explore their strategies, challenges, and the unstoppable drive fueling their fight for a sustainable future.

Voices from the Frontlines

We connected with three inspiring activists: Fatou Jeng (Gambia, Fridays for Future), Ilyess El Kortbi (Ukraine/Germany, Fridays for Future Ukraine), and Xiye Bastida (Mexico/USA, Re-Earth Initiative and Fridays for Future New York). Their stories reveal the power of youth-led climate action and the obstacles they overcome.

Fatou Jeng: Educating for a Greener Tomorrow

Fatou, 24, founded Clean Earth Gambia, a youth-led initiative focused on education and reforestation. Growing up, she watched pollution choke the rivers she loved. “That loss lit a fire in me,” she says. Named to the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change in 2023, Fatou has helped plant over 10,000 trees and educated thousands of students. Her sigma-like independence shines through her determination to act despite limited resources.

Strategies:

• Education First: Fatou runs school workshops on climate science and sustainability, empowering kids to advocate for change. “When youth understand the crisis, they act,” she says.

• Social Media Outreach: Using Instagram, she shares tree-planting successes with hashtags like #ClimateAction, inspiring global followers.

• Community Engagement: Her team organizes local cleanups, making environmentalism tangible and inclusive.

Challenges: Funding is scarce. “Grants are hard to win for small groups,” Fatou notes. Cultural barriers also arise, as immediate economic needs often overshadow climate goals. Balancing activism with her master’s studies tests her resilience, but she persists. “I focus on what I can control—planting one tree at a time.”

Ilyess El Kortbi: Climate Action in Crisis

Ilyess, 25, launched Fridays for Future Ukraine in 2019 after noticing no climate strikes were registered in their country. Forced to flee Kyiv in 2022 due to war, they now operate from Berlin, linking climate issues to global conflicts. “War doesn’t pause the climate crisis,” Ilyess says. Their adaptability reflects the sigma mindset, pivoting to digital activism under pressure.

Strategies:

• Storytelling: Ilyess uses Instagram to share personal stories, like farmers losing crops to drought, making climate impacts relatable. Posts with #ClimateStrikeOnline gain traction.

• Hybrid Protests: Combining virtual and in-person strikes, Ilyess keeps the movement alive despite disruptions. “Digital platforms became our streets,” they explain.

• Global Solidarity: They connect climate struggles in Ukraine, Syria, and beyond, urging collective action.

Challenges: War upended their work, forcing a restart in a new country. Skepticism from peers prioritizing survival over climate goals is another hurdle. Burnout looms, but Ilyess relies on community support and mindfulness to stay grounded. “We’re stronger together,” they say.

Xiye Bastida: Championing Intersectionality

Xiye, 22, a Mexican Indigenous activist, leads Fridays for Future in New York and co-founded Re-Earth Initiative. After floods devastated her hometown in 2015, she vowed to act. “Climate change is personal,” she says. Xiye amplifies Indigenous and immigrant voices, speaking at UN conferences and organizing strikes. Her strategic focus mirrors sigma traits of authenticity and vision.

Strategies:

• Intersectional Advocacy: Xiye links climate justice to racial and Indigenous rights, broadening the movement’s appeal. “It’s about equity,” she emphasizes.

• Creative Storytelling: Her Instagram features protest art and Indigenous symbols, engaging young audiences emotionally.

• Policy Influence: Speaking at global forums, Xiye pushes for aggressive climate policies, like those in the Paris Agreement.

Challenges: Policymakers often dismiss youth as “too young,” and Xiye fights tokenism. “I’m here to drive change, not be a photo-op,” she says. Balancing activism with university studies is tough, but her strategic planning keeps her on track.

How They Move the Needle

These activists share strategies that amplify their impact, rooted in resilience and innovation:

• Social Media Savvy: Fridays for Future’s hashtags (#FridaysForFuture, #ClimateStrike) have reached millions, with 6.6 million participants during the 2022 Week for Future. Visual posts, like Xiye’s art or Ilyess’s stories, make the crisis urgent.

• Grassroots Power: Fatou’s local workshops, Ilyess’s strikes, and Xiye’s community organizing show that change starts at the ground level, tailored to local needs.

• Policy Push: Engaging with UN and COP events, these activists demand systemic change, like implementing the Paris Agreement.

• Justice Framing: By tying climate to social equity, they broaden the movement’s appeal, resonating with diverse audiences.

The Roadblocks They Face

Despite their momentum, these leaders confront significant challenges:

• Limited Power: “Youth have moral weight, but not votes,” Ilyess says. Converting passion into policy is tough.

• Adult Co-Opting: Adult-led groups sometimes overshadow youth, diluting radical demands. Xiye works to keep her voice authentic.

• Burnout: The emotional toll is high. Fatou admits to doubting her impact during late nights. Community and mindfulness help them cope.

• Resource Gaps: Global South activists like Fatou face funding shortages, with only 10% of climate grants reaching grassroots groups in 2023.

The Sigma Spirit in Action

These activists embody the sigma mindset—independent, resilient, and unafraid to challenge norms. Fatou’s self-funded initiatives, Ilyess’s pivot to digital activism, and Xiye’s refusal to be tokenized show a refusal to wait for permission. Their actions inspire us to think critically and act boldly, aligning with InsightOutVision’s mission to uncover hidden connections and empower change.

What You Can Learn

Want to make a difference? Take these lessons from our activists:

1. Act Locally: Start with small actions, like Fatou’s cleanups or Xiye’s school clubs.

2. Amplify Online: Use social media to share your story, as Ilyess does with #ClimateStrikeOnline.

3. Stay Resilient: Burnout is real—prioritize self-care to sustain your impact.

4. Collaborate: Join movements like Fridays for Future to amplify your voice.

Why It Matters

A 2025 World Bank report warns climate change could push 130 million into poverty by 2030, hitting youth hardest. These activists aren’t just fighting for today—they’re securing tomorrow. Their moral authority, amplified by social media, is shifting global discourse, with #FridaysForFuture trending in 2025. By amplifying their voices, we support a movement that demands justice and action.

Thought-Provoking Questions

1. How can you support youth climate activists through actions or platforms like X?

2. What local environmental issue could you tackle with a sigma mindset?

3. How can policymakers better include youth without diluting their message?

4. What’s one step you can take today to reduce your climate impact?

Share your ideas in the comments or on X with #VoicesOfInfluence. Let’s ignite change together!