Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti (born August 1, 1995) is a Kenyan environment and climate activist and founder of the Green Generation Initiative,[1] which nurtures young people to love nature and be environmentally conscious at a young age and has now planted 30,000 tree seedlings in Kenya.[2][3]
Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Elizabeth Wathuti in 2022 | |
| Born | 1 August 1995 Kiandu village, Tetu Constituency, Nyeri County Kenya |
| Education | Kenyatta University |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Known for | Environment and Climate activism since childhood |
In 2019, she was awarded the Africa Green Person of the Year Award by the Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation[4] and named as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans by the Africa Youth Awards.[5]
Education edit
Wathuti graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and Community Development.[6]
Early childhood and environmental activism edit
Wathuti grew up in Nyeri County, which is renowned for having the highest forest cover in Kenya.[7] She planted her first tree at the age of seven and she established an environmental club in her high school with the help of her geography teacher.[8] She was part of the leadership of Kenyatta University Environmental Club (KUNEC) where she was able to conduct numerous activities; such as tree planting, clean ups and environmental education; all while increasing awareness of global environmental challenges like climate change.[9]
In 2016, she founded Green Generation Initiative, to encourage young environmental enthusiasts, environmental and climate education, building climate resilience and greening schools. Her video "The Forest is a Part of Me[10]" was featured by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) as part of a series on Youth Voices in Landscapes.
She is a recipient of a Wangari Maathai Scholarship award for her commitment to environmental conservation.[11] Wathuti is also a member of the Green Belt Movement, which was founded by her role model Professor Wangari Maathai[12]
Awards edit
In 2019 on International Youth Day, she was recognized by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their Instagram feed[13] for her work in environmental conservation. She featured on the Queen's Commonwealth Trust website.[14][15] In the same year she was named alongside Vanessa Nakate and Oladuso Adenike by Greenpeace as one of three young black climate activists in Africa trying to save the world.[16][17]
Awards and recognitions edit
- 2016 fourth Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award[18]
- Green Climate Fund Climate Youth Champion Award 2019[19]
- Africa Green Person of the Year 2019 Award by the Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation.[20]
- 100 Most Influential Young African by the Africa Youth Awards.[21]
- The Diana International Award (2019)[22]
- UN Young Champions of the Earth Regional finalist for Africa (2019)[22]
- International Youth Day 2019 Recognition by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.[23]
- Bloggers Association of Kenya - BAKE Awards (2018) for the best environmental blog.[24]
References edit
- ^ "Green Generation Initiative". Green Generation Initiative. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ "Perspective - Elizabeth Wathuti, the 23-year-old environmental activist planting trees in Kenya". France 24. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- ^ Environment, U. N. "Elizabeth Wathuti". Young Champions of the Earth - UN Environment Program. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- ^ "Green Award Categories – EETFoundation" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- ^ APANEWS. "Nine Kenyans among 2019 most influential young Africans". apanews.net. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ "Meet Elizabeth Wathuti, Kenya's environment champion". The Star. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- ^ App, Daily Nation. "Lakeside counties with 'no forests'". mobile.nation.co.ke. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- ^ "Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti | Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- ^ "Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti". www.tiredearth.com. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ The forest is a part of me, Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti, Kenya, retrieved 2020-02-01
- ^ "Recipients of the fourth Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award | The Green Belt Movement". www.greenbeltmovement.org. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ "KCDF". www.kcdf.or.ke. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ "Kenya rising". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ "Green Generation Initiative: working towards a green future". www.queenscommonwealthtrust.org. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ Wealth Trust, Queen's Common. "Queen's Common Wealth Trust Annual Report" (PDF). Annual Report. year ended 31st March, 2019: 17.
- ^ "3 young black climate activists in Africa trying to save the world". Greenpeace UK. 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti Is At The Forefront Of Kenya's Climate Activism". 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Recipients of the fourth Wangari Maathai Scholarship Award | The Green Belt Movement". www.greenbeltmovement.org. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ Hub, IISD's SDG Knowledge. "First-ever GCF Green Champion Awards Recognizes Efforts to Combat Climate Change | News | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD". Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "Green Award Categories – EETFoundation" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-02-01.
- ^ "Nine Kenyans among 2019 most influential young Africans". apanews.net (in French). Retrieved 2020-02-04.
- ^ a b "Roll of Honour 2019". The Diana Award. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ Musyoka, Michael. "British Royals Praise Kenyan Girl Who's Inspired Them". Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ Wamathai, James (2018-05-19). "Here are the BAKE Awards 2018 winners". BAKE Awards. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
External links edit
