Ten young people under 35 have been chosen by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to share their achievements and ideas in sustainable land management in the face of the growing worldwide threat of desertification and land degradation.
While the 16th global meeting of the Convention continues in Riyadh, these young people have shared their actions to inspire change, unite more young people, and demonstrate the power of collective action.
Here are the stories of five young defenders in the fight against desertification:
Youth Innovators in Action
Astrid Peraza, Costa Rica: “Working alone is not an option to create significant change,” says Astrid Peraza, a youth climate educator.
She has developed the board game “Rescuing Penguins” to teach about climate change and its solutions. Additionally, she is involved in the mangrove reforestation project Vivero Verde Mar to conserve the environment and combat coastal desertification.
Billie Crystal G. Dumaliang, Philippines: In the Philippines, deforestation and degradation of watersheds increase the risk of extreme weather events. Billie Crystal G. Dumaliang and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation are reforesting 2700 hectares around Manila to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Environmental Entrepreneurs and Protectors
Rokiatou Traoré, Mali: A green entrepreneur who creates products from the moringa tree. She has trained 100 women to produce teas, oils, and baby food exported to over seven countries. In 2023, she produced 150,000 moringa seedlings for 5,000 women and young farmers. Her goal is to establish a network of millions of producers and plant 10 million trees by 2030.
Takudzwa Ashley Mlambo, Zimbabwe: His organization Forestry & Citrus Research aims to plant and monitor one billion trees in Zimbabwe, using artificial intelligence and satellite tracking. Reforestation is crucial to curb climate change and keep global temperatures under control.
Agricultural Innovation
Siddhesh Sakore, India: Founder of AGRO RANGERS, Siddhesh Sakore works to create sustainable livelihoods in Pune, a drought-prone area. His organization promotes organic-based agroforestry practices to combat soil degradation and improve agricultural productivity. “The fight against desertification begins with sustainable community-driven agricultural practices.”
These young leaders are showing that collective action and innovation can make a significant difference in sustainable land management and the fight against desertification. There are a total of 10 Land Heroes. Discover all their stories.
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