At COP28 in Dubai, Raya Salter and Carlos Garcia hosted a panel examining the climate impact of military operations. With global conflicts destroying cities, lives, and ecosystems, peace is

At COP28 in Dubai, Raya Salter and Carlos Garcia hosted a panel examining the climate impact of military operations. With global conflicts destroying cities, lives, and ecosystems, peace is essential to prevent catastrophic climate failure.

Tamara Lorincz highlighted over two trillion dollars annually spent on military operations and resource extraction. Dr. Amara Eniya explained how climate crisis-driven droughts and floods compound national debt, crippling nations struggling to meet basic needs. John D. Liu, representing Commonland, showcased global efforts to restore land and hydrological cycles.

Edited by Mike Coe; Produced by Dale Walkonen; Music by David Fesliyan. For more information, visit the Commonland Foundation and the FacingFuture Library.

Amara Ifeji, 20, recognized the lack of environmental opportunities in marginalized communities. In 2018, she began facilitating environmental learning for students of color. She later became a

Amara Ifeji, 20, recognized the lack of environmental opportunities in marginalized communities. In 2018, she began facilitating environmental learning for students of color. She later became a director for the Maine Environmental Changemakers Network, an intergenerational group of 400+ youth promoting a just, inclusive, and equitable environmental movement.

Amara elevates youth voices in state and federal policy. In 2021, she coordinated Maine’s first climate education summit, gathering young people’s visions. This led to her helping create and implement a bill funding over $2 million for climate education in the state. Learn more at broweryouthawards.org.

At 14, Amara Ifeji mobilized a grassroots effort against racism in her high school. She initially viewed her love for nature and racial justice as distinct, until youth of color revealed their

At 14, Amara Ifeji mobilized a grassroots effort against racism in her high school. She initially viewed her love for nature and racial justice as distinct, until youth of color revealed their complete intertwining. This awakening profoundly shaped her subsequent work as an effective organizer and advocate, centering storytelling to advance environmental justice, climate education, and outdoor learning for all youth.

Now 21, Amara is an award-winning climate justice activist (2021 National Geographic Young Explorer, 2022 Brower Youth Award) and Director of Policy at the Maine Environmental Education Association. Learn more at http://www.bioneers.org.

Amara Ifeji delivered a speech at the Brower Youth Awards ceremony, held October 18, 2022, at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

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