As massive consumers of all that Earth has to offer, humans should take care of nature. Some realise this duty to save the planet at a very young age.
Licypriya Kangujam, a 14-year-old Indian climate activist, has been championing environmental protection since the age of six. She has dedicated her young life to protecting, preserving, and nurturing the environment by fighting climate change.
From addressing world leaders at the United Nations Climate Conference 2019 in Madrid, Spain, to providing free education and healthcare to those in need, Licypriya proves that age is never a barrier to courage. She is living proof that every Indian child carries within them the power to change the world.
Excerpts from an interview
'Success for me is not about awards or recognition.It means creating real change for people and the planet.
If a policy improves children's future or if even one young person feels empowered to protect nature, that is success to me.
'A defining moment was when I first spoke about climate action on international platforms and saw leaders listening seriously to a child's voice. I realised that young people can influence global conversations and that my journey had a larger purpose.
'Many people inspired me, but my parents played the biggest role. They believed in my courage even when I was very young and taught me that age should never limit your voice. At the same time, criticism and challenges from others also made me stronger and more determined.
'I discovered resilience within myself. I never imagined that I could continue speaking out despite criticism, pressure, or obstacles. A trait I had to develop consciously was patience - change in climate policy takes time.
'Whenever self doubt appears, I remind myself why I started this journey - to protect our planet and future generations.I also listen to children and communities affected by climate change; their stories give me strength.
'Facing criticism and resistance at times was difficult, but it taught me resilience and clarity.There were moments when I could have chosen the safe path and remained silent, but I chose to speak up because the climate crisis demands courage.
'Staying connected with nature and constantly learning about climate science and policy are non-negotiable for me. Believe in your voice, even when the world doubts you.
'Today, success means inspiring millions of young people to take action and pushing governments toward stronger climate policies. I'm still learning how to build solutions that bring real change for our planet.'
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