Elizabeth Wahuti: Kenya's Golden Environmental and Climate Champion
Elizabeth Wathuti is a 28-year-old prominent environmentalist and climate visionary in Kenya, known for her unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. Born in Nyeri County, Kenya, Wathuti developed a passion for nature and the environment from a young age. Her journey as a climate activist began when she was only seven years old, and since then, she has emerged as a powerful voice for environmental advocacy in Kenya and beyond.
Wathuti is a co-founder of the Green Generation Initiative, a youth-led environmental NGO founded in 2016, that focuses on fighting the climate crisis and expediting food security; while creating a generation of environmentally conscious individuals by educating and empowering children and communities through the implementation of nature-focused programs like tree planting. Through the initiative, Wathuti has alongside her team spearheaded numerous tree-planting campaigns across Kenya, including a most recent tree-planting drive on Kenya's 'National Tree Planting Day', aiming to combat deforestation and promote biodiversity. Through the Green Generation Initiative alone, Wathuti has planted more than 30,000 trees since the organization's inception.
Wathuti is also the head of campaigns at Wangari Maathai Foundation, which was founded in 2015 to continue the exemplary works and legacy of the phenomenal socio-political and environmental activist - and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate - Wangari Maathai.
Among the many driving forces for the environmentalist's enthusiasm for action is her understanding of the crucial role that increasing planet Earth's forest cover plays in mitigating climate change, as they are natural carbon capture systems and provide essential ecosystem services.
One of Wathuti's many notable achievements is her involvement in the "Save Karura Forest" campaign. She played a pivotal role in mobilizing the community to protect Karura Forest, a vital green space in Nairobi, from illegal logging and encroachment. Her advocacy efforts, along with those of other activists, contributed to the preservation of this precious urban forest, ensuring that it continues to serve as a crucial carbon sink and a habitat for diverse wildlife.
Wathuti's work extends beyond tree planting and environmental conservation projects. She is also actively engaged in climate change education and awareness initiatives, especially targeting young people. By empowering the youth with knowledge about environmental issues, she aims to create a new generation of environmental stewards who understand the importance of sustainable living and are equipped to address the challenges posed by climate change. She recently led the African Youth Climate Assembly during the 2023 Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
In 2021, Wathuti addressed more than 100 heads of state at COP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland, detailing how the climate crisis is already exacting a devastating toll on low-income countries; and imploring leaders of the developed world to act urgently. Her impassioned speech at that conference moved United States (US) President Joe Biden enough to break security protocol. "I saw Biden’s security team trying to signal to the president that it was time to leave but he waved them off. He wanted to listen. Perhaps I had something he really needed to hear," she told the Guardian in an interview.
With over 10 awards and accolades within just eight years of her career, the climate activist Elizabeth is setting a new precedence in terms of environmental conservation efforts and mitigation of climate change. Wathuti has received recognition as one of Kenya's most influential youths from President William Ruto. Other than this significant recognition, some of the awards Wathuti has received so far include:
- Africa Green Person of the Year 2019 Award by the Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation.
- UN Young Champions of the Earth Regional finalist for Africa (2019)
- Green Climate Fund Climate Youth Champion Award 2019
- 100 Most Influential Young Africans by the Africa Youth Awards.
- TIME100 Impact Honoree 2023
- The Amnesty International Chair 2023
Her 'TIME100 Impact Award' was alongside influential figures like the Iraqi-American activist Zainab Salbi. To receive the coveted award in Singapore, TIME100 said she was selected because of her dedication to the legacy of the late Wangari Maathai as she helped craft a 3-year strategy for the Wangari Maathai Youth Hub - a hub that seeks to encourage leadership and self-development among children and young adults. On top of this, in 2023, she also worked as the lead coordinator of the first-ever African Youth Climate Assembly, which seeks to unite and amplify the perspective of young Africans in international climate discussions.
Announcing the activist's Amnesty International honor as the awards' laureate, Ghent University in Belgium said Wathuti was awarded for her contribution to human rights worldwide as an environmental and climate activist.
Elizabeth Wathuti's journey as a climate champion in Kenya serves as an inspiration to many. She stands as an inspirational figure, demonstrating that young people can be powerful agents of change in the fight against climate change. Her dedication, passion, and leadership have not only made her a respected figure in Kenya but also a beacon of hope for the global environmental and climate action movement. As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, Wathuti's advocacy and on-the-ground initiatives continue to serve as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in creating a sustainable and resilient future for our planet.
