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Youth Talk With Lawmakers on Capitol Hill: U.S. YAC UNOD’s 2024 Hill Days Call for Bold Action!

LATIFAH, COLIN & ZOË | California & Washington | Nov 12, 2024

In March 2024, the Policy Committee of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade organized an in-person Hill Days event in Washington, D.C., where 19 youth advocates led 71 meetings over the course of two days to push for critical ocean and water protection policies. This event brought together passionate youth from […]

H2OO RAISE Initiative Takes Bold Action Toward “Regeneration for the Next Generation”

DAKOTA | California, US | Dec 17, 2021

“Our RAISE initiative released a research-backed paper ‘Regeneration for the Next Generation‘ this fall and developed their 2022–2023 strategic plan informed and guided by experts. A year ago, core RAISE members in the U.S. realized two things: (1) We must do something now considering our governmental leaders are not and our future depends upon a change in systemic practices […]

Heirs From New Zealand & California Meet In Patagonia, Argentina To Learn From Orca Researchers

RAKAUNUI, MIGUEL & BAYLEE | | Dec 17, 2019

Heirs To Our Oceans youth were invited to participate in a week-long research excursion to work with Dr. Ingrid Visser, Dr. Joe Gaydos, and Dr. Marcella Uhart. “I felt honoured to be offered the opportunity to go to Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia, Argentina, and to represent Heirs To Our Oceans (H2OO) there. This was my […]

Oxford Students Help Inspire Berkeley’s New Disposable Foodware Limits

EMMETT | California, US | Dec 5, 2020

Despite the challenges of 2020, the Berkeley Heirs have accomplished a lot! January 1, 2020 marked the start of the Disposable Free Dining Ordinance in Berkeley. We helped pass this groundbreaking law by collecting signatures and speaking at press conferences and city council meetings beginning in 2018. The all …

H2OO Palau’s U.E.L. (Underwater Excursion Learning) Day a Success

OLILAI | Palau | Dec 9, 2020

Olilai Chilton, head of H2OO Palau, organized an opportunity for youth to learn in their beautiful outdoor laboratory! H2OO Palau’s UEL Day was a success! UEL means turtle in the Palauan language, and UEL stands also as an acronym for Underwater Excursion Learning. Sixty-four high school and elementary school students…

Seven Heirs From Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and U.S. Lead Panel Discussions on Environmental Change-Makers Series

ELLY | Kenya | Aug 11, 2020

A panel of four Heirs: Dominion from Nigeria, Seth & Dakota from the U.S. and Elly from Kenya…

Pushing for Solutions to Non-Point Source Pollution

AISLINN | California, US | Dec 15, 2019

The H2OO RAISE Initiative has been very busy this year making big splashes with policy! In February, we spoke with Emily Woodward…

Plastic is Not Fantastic

CAMBRIA | California, US | Aug 3, 2021

Climate change is one of the most significant issues we are facing today. Plastic, a material that fills our daily lives, is contributing to this crisis. Many people are aware of the numerous negative ways in which plastic is impacting our oceans. But plastics have another hidden threat: climate change. In this way, plastics are […]

Raina Ivanova, H2OO Global Youth Leader and Intern, Speaks at the 54th Session of Human Rights Council

RAINA | Germany | Sep 20, 2023

Raina Ivanova, 19 year old Youth Leader and Intern of H2OO, and one of 16 Petitioners in the Children vs. Climate Crisis Petition (10 of which were identified and supported by H2OO), was a guest speaker September 20, 2023, at a side-event on Children and Climate Change at the 54th session of the Human Rights Council. The event was co-organized by […]

Shaping the Future: H2OO Leads Youth Engagement Workshop at UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona

CATARINA, HENRY & DAKOTA | Brazil, Saipan CNMI, Texas | Nov 12, 2024

As the UN Ocean Decade continues to gather momentum, youth voices are more essential than ever in crafting sustainable solutions for our ocean. Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) stepped up to co-lead a critical side-event panel & workshop with the U.S. National Committee to the UN Ocean Decade, NOAA (@noaa), Fugro (@fugro), and the University […]

H2OO’s Skill-Building Unleashed: How H2OO Empowered Youth in Storytelling, Policy Advocacy, and More!

PRIYANKA, ARMON & EMILIANO | Florida, Texas, New York | Nov 12, 2024

In 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) equipped the next generation of ocean leaders with the skills they need to drive meaningful change. Recognizing the importance of the next generation building a diverse set of skills, H2OO led a series of transformative workshops designed to empower youth with the tools to lead, advocate, work as […]

In Kampala Uganda H2OO Youth Address Food Insecurity, Forced Child Marriages and the Climate Crisis

LATIFAH & RITA | Uganda | Dec 17, 2021

With the climate crisis came unpredictable weather, hunger and forced-child marriages in Uganda and beyond, but the youth leaders in the H2OO Kampala Uganda chapter found a solution and are forging a path forward! “Uganda’s economy is made up largely of agriculture which is now stressed due to industrial and technological changes as well as […]

U.S. YAC UNOD Education Committee Unveils 100-Page Toolkit with Youth Analysis & Insights on the Ocean Decade’s 10 Challenges!

NILESH & SHAOMIN | Washington & Georgia | Nov 12, 2024

The launch of the Decade 10 Challenges Youth Perspective Toolkit marks a significant milestone in the ongoing work of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade (U.S. YAC for UNOD). This toolkit is a great example of how the YAC program is a progressive and cumulative experience, where each cohort builds upon […]

Welcome Aboard 5th Cohort U.S. YAC UNOD! Meet the New Members and Their Impactful SMART Goals!

MARRIA & ARMON | Indiana & Texas | Nov 12, 2024

We’re excited to welcome the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade (U.S. YAC for UNOD) and share their ambitious SMART goals. This year’s cohort, made up of 59 members ages 15-25 across over 20 states and U.S. occupied territories, is already diving into impactful projects, with each working […]

Collaborative Workshop with Young Sea Changers Scotland – Empowering Young People to Navigate the UN Ocean Decade!

CHLOE & ARMON | California & Texas | Nov 12, 2024

On August 8th 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean joined Young Sea Changers Scotland & Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network for a dynamic and insightful online webinar titled “Navigate the UN Ocean Decade,”. The event brought together passionate advocates for ocean conservation and youth engagement from around the world. Read on to hear more about […]

H2OO Sparks Action at UWC Atlantic College OceanCon: Planting the Seeds for a Wales Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade.

CHLOE & RAINA | Florida & Germany | Nov 20, 2024

In November 2024, three H2OO Global Youth Leaders headed to Wales, UK to host a series of H2OO workshops during the 2024 UWC Atlantic College OceanCon! Not only did Heirs to Our Ocean have the opportunity to host three workshops in total over the course of this two day conference, we were also afforded the […]

H2OO holds First-Time Exhibit at 2024 National Youth Leadership Council Conference St. Paul, Minnesota!

EMILY | California, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

In 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean held for the first time an exhibit at the National Youth Leadership Council Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. This event brought together educators, organizations, and youth leaders committed to empowering young people leading actions in their communities to address critical issues affecting them. Emily, H2OO Program & Communications Coordinator […]

Empowering Next Generation Leaders: Advanced Skill-Building with H2OO Internships

RAINA & ARMON | Germany & Texas, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

For youth who have demonstrated a commitment to protecting our shared Blue Planet and one another, and who wish to further develop their skills, Heirs To Our Ocean offers internships that meet the needs of the intern and the organization. “During my internship at Heirs to Our Ocean this summer, one of the most meaningful […]

H2OO Teams with Bay Area Wilderness Training for Building Skills for Backcountry Youth Leadership Experiences

EMILY | California, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) recently joined forces with Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) to strengthen our commitment to equipping youth with the skills and experiences needed to become confident in building skills in off-grid environments. As part of this collaboration, H2OO Program Coordinator Emily Berglund participated in the transformative July 2024 BAWT Backcountry Leadership […]

Building Leaders of Today: Behind the Scenes of H2OO’s Global Youth Leadership Retreat

JULIA & CHARLEY | Indonesia & California, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

In July 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) brought together our Global Youth Leaders from across the globe for an unforgettable Global Youth Leadership Retreat at our headquarters in Redwood City, California. Designed to bring our leadership team in processing the future of the organization, empower, connect, and inspire, the retreat became a melting pot […]

H2OO Co-Founder, Dakota Peebler, Presents at the Southern Sea Otter Research Update Meeting in Santa Cruz, California

DAKOTA | California, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

H2OO Champions Youth Inclusion at the UN Summit of the Future

AMBER | New York, U.S. | Nov 20, 2024

In September 2024, H2OO headed to New York to participate in the UN Summit for the Future, a high-level event designed to address global challenges and reimagine multilateral cooperation. The summit brought together world leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss solutions for building a sustainable and equitable future. As part of this gathering, H2OO youth […]

H2OO Co-Founders Make Waves at the UN Ocean Conference 2022

DAKOTA & CHARLEY | California, US | Jun 25, 2022

“In June of this year, I along with my sibling and co-founder of Heirs To Our Ocean went to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend and speak at the UN Ocean Conference. However, what I discovered as we registered for this event was that, because I was not 18 or older, I could not get into the […]

Brazil Participates in H2OO’s Operation Global Sweep

CATARINA | Brazil | Nov 16, 2022

In Salvador, Bahia, Brazil our recently formed H2OO chapter participated in H2OO’s Operation Global Sweep…

The Solution to the Climate Crisis is Right Under Our Feet

DAKOTA | California, US | Dec 7, 2022

This week World Soil Day was recognized, but as you read these words, all living beings are suffering environmental catastrophes that out-scale any we have seen in human history. We must seize the opportunity to step away from the precipice of irreversible damage. The release of tremendous quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) into the atmosphere […]

New Youth Members of H2OO Board of Directors!

CHARLEY & LATIFAH | | Nov 21, 2022

While the youth of H2OO have always had an advisory role to the Board of Directors, two of H2OO’s youth leaders — an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old — are official H2OO Directors! “As Heirs To Our Ocean looks forward to the new year and a new age, I am proud to step into the role […]

Youth Artivism at Global Nomads World Needs Clean Oceans Virtual Event

DAKOTA | California, US | Nov 25, 2022

Artistic outlets are a great way to create real-world change! They allow me to use something Artistic outlets are a great way to create real-world change! They allow me to use something I love, dance, as a way to spread…

Speaking Up for Girls at Mutually Assured Survival Priorities for Climate Action Panel

LATIFAH | Uganda | Nov 15, 2022

Forced child marriage is NOT a solution to the climate crisis. To call attention to this, I spoke at the UN Association’s Mutually Assured Survival Climate Action panel that took place in October. As a participant, my goal was to spread awareness about the harmful, intersectional impacts of climate change on children, women, girls, and […]

Plastic Brand Audit & Sweep for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022

SHANZA | California, US | Nov 14, 2022

International Coastal Cleanup Day is one of the world’s largest annual preservation and protection volunteer events for our ocean’s coasts. But did you know that the plastic crisis can’t be “cleaned up”? Unfortunately, plastic does not biodegrade but instead breaks down into very small pieces which are carried with water, currents, and winds throughout the […]

Inspiring Next Gen Advocates at 2022 Reef Futures Conference

CATARINA | Brazil | Sep 10, 2022

On the 25th of September, together with 3 other youths from around the world, I had the opportunity to speak on the Reef Futures panel hosted by International Coral Reef Initiative. There we shared our different experiences of climate change and what led us to become climate activists. For me, participating was very special as […]

Berkeley H2OO Youth Speak Out: Center for Environmental Health

SHANZA | California, US | Nov 14, 2022

Today is National Recycling Day, but contrary to popular belief, recycling is not the solution to plastic pollution! Most plastics we use cannot be recycled. Even recycled plastic cannot be reprocessed infinitely, which means the plastic will end up in landfill eventually. Greenwashing, which makes a non-solution like recycling seem good for the environment, is […]

Equipping Youth as Advocates at Environmental Forum of Marin

SHAY | California, US | Nov 14, 2022

Speaking at the 3 Ocean Advocates event at the Environmental Forum of Marin was an amazing opportunity. I was able to share my personal journey with getting involved in ocean protection and how important it is that young people are given a chance to develop the skills that will equip us to advocate for our […]

The Protection of Children Shouldn’t Be a Political Debate

RAINA | Germany | Nov 20, 2022

World Children’s Day is a day of celebration for the United Nations, as it marks the annual anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While adults come together to cherish the accomplishments of child rights, there is no reason for me to celebrate because the rights of children are being violated while […]

Global H2OO Youth Investigate Corporate Plastic Pollution Crimes

CATALINA & JOSÉ | Puerto Rico | Nov 5, 2021

Insight from two Heirs To Our Ocean youth leaders who served on the organizing committee for youth-created and youth-led Operation…

3rd Cohort Chairs of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for UN Ocean Decade Share Why They Joined!

ZOË & HAMID | California, US | Nov 2, 2022

“I’m so excited to contribute my experience to this group of staggeringly incredible people. From my work in environmental policy to on-the-ground action, I see similarly ignited faces in the people I work with. The past Cohorts have made great strides, and I am ready to draw from their experience and prioritize the intertwining of […]

Unearthing Intersectional Learning With the RAISE Initiative

DAKOTA, SHAY & BRIGETTE | California, US | Oct 31, 2022

“Hello, my name is Dakota Peebler, and I’m an H2OO Co-Founder and former Co-Chair of the Regenerative Agriculture and Indigenous Systems for our Environment (RAISE) Initiative. This is a youth-led initiative dedicated to raising awareness and educating about the benefits of learning from traditional ways and Indigenous systems in growing food to move away from […]

H2OO Palau Hosts “Rebirth Our Paradise” for Earth Day 2022

CARLOS | Palau | Apr 30, 2022

On Earth Day, April 22, 2022, H2OO Palau hosted the “Rebirth Our Paradise” activity in partnership with Melekeok State, Ngardok Nature Reserve, and the Ngiwal State Rangers. The activity, led by 3 H2OO youth leaders — Nikka Ngirkelau, Olilai Chilton and Carlos Manuel — consisted of tree planting, a beach sweep & brand audit, and […]

Walking the Talk: Truth Behind Institutions Claiming to Help Girls Within Sub-Saharan Africa

LATIFAH | Uganda | Oct 11, 2022

Four years ago today — International Day of the Girl Child, October 11, 2018 — is what comes to mind for me as I prepare to share my story. As a now 19-year-old young woman, who has seen a lot and lived through prior and current stages of the movement to improve safety, equality, and inclusion […]

UN Ocean Decade “A Brave New Ocean” Includes H2OO Youth’s Powerful Words

CATARINA | Brazil | Dec 18, 2021

I am Catarina Lorenzo, 14 years old and from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. I am a surfer, climate activist, and an Heir of Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO). On June 8, 2021, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the United Nations World Ocean Day event! Heir Kalina from Taiwan and I were the two […]

H2OO Global Youth Leaders Speak at Taiwan Ocean Youth Leadership Camp

KALINA | Taiwan | Dec 17, 2021

I believe engagement in youth leadership summits, especially virtual ones, is crucial to developing close-knit connections with other like-minded, passionate youth. This summer, I, along with fellow youth of Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) — Charley (California), Lois (Guam), and Carlos (Palau) — spoke at the Taiwan International Ocean Youth Leadership Camp. Although the deadlines […]

H2OO Established as Non-Profit Organization in Palau!

OLILAI | Palau | Dec 17, 2021

In 2021, Heirs to Our Ocean (H2OO) Palau established its own non-profit organization — H2OO Palau NGO! Despite all the challenges we faced with Covid-19 we managed to create this hub to use the vision and mission of H2OO to share it with our community incorporating Palau’s cultures and ways. We intend to be part […]

Lagos Nigeria H2OO Youth Leaders Work to Eliminate Plastic Pollution and More in 2021

DEBORAH & DOMINION | Nigeria | Dec 17, 2021

Youth leaders from the Lagos Nigeria Chapter had an eventful year participating in skill-building opportunities and brand audit campaigns working to hold top polluters accountable for their waste. By Deborah & Dominion, H2OO Youth Leaders, Nigeria Heirs from Lagos Nigeria kicked off 2021 by attending the H2O21 Water Summit that took place over four Saturdays […]

Kentucky H2OO Youth Leaders Help Pass Joint Resolution to Tackle E-Waste Polluting Waterways!

FREYA | Kentucky, US | Dec 17, 2021

The Kentucky Heirs had an impactful 2021 year working on and helping pass KY HJR11, organizing several local creek sweeps, setting up E-waste drives at local schools and throughout the community, and speaking and presenting at multiple public events and meetings to raise awareness about the dangers of e-scrap in landfills. We have fostered our […]

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