Absolutely everything about the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade exceeded my expectations.
Not only did this program train me as a climate activist and equip me with the skills I need to make a difference in my community, but it also taught me how to be an empathetic leader. And I say that with so much weight.
Members of the 5th Cohort U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade at 2025 Capitol Hill Advocacy Days.
My experience with U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade has had a meaningful and lasting impact on my life. This isn’t just a leadership program, it’s a launchpad for youth to drive real environmental impact.
It deepened my commitment to environmental advocacy and gave me the confidence to begin creating my own platform, Youth for Climate Education, which empowers young people to take climate action through accessible educational resources. Being part of a national initiative showed me the power of collaboration, and it inspired me to think bigger in terms of the change I could help create. I now approach projects with a more strategic mindset, and I’ve built lasting connections with other youth advocates who continue to motivate and support my journey.
What exceeded my expectations most about participating in U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade was how much trust and responsibility was placed in us as youth leaders. I expected to learn and contribute, but I didn’t expect to be given such a strong voice. From engaging in high-level discussions to helping organize impactful events like our World Water Day brand audit, I truly felt like an equal partner in the work.
This experience was life-changing for me.
I had never engaged in congressional advocacy before, and participating in U.S. Youth Action Council of the UN Ocean Decade has reinforced my commitment to environmental policy.
This experience has also made me realize that I want to pursue a career in environmental policy or management.
I truly began feeling empowered at Hill Days. Although we had done preparation and learned about past Hill Days experiences, I wasn’t really aware of what it would be like being in the different administrative buildings and going around to meet with different people. It was really amazing, and helped me realize how easy it was to make my voice heard and advocate for legislation and causes that I believe in.
Because of the Hill Days experience, I feel way more confident in using my voice and advocating for what I believe in, and I feel way less intimidated about the process.
I hope to plan a city/state lobby day for students at my school and in conjunction with other students in New York City. This was directly influenced from my experience at Hill Days, which has given me the confidence to continue advocating and the interest in helping bring this opportunity to other students in New York City.
I cannot express how much the U.S. YAC UNOD has improved my capacity to lead others in an empathetic manner. Everywhere I am asked about leadership qualities or skills, I always mention empathy as a skill set because of the US YAC’s ability to effectively communicate how we should interact with our peers given our ever-expanding backgrounds in a constantly changing world.
I’m super appreciative of all of the opportunities I have been given, and I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the US YAC UNOD.
Through my involvement in the U.S. YAC UNOD, I was able to take on responsibilities that challenged me to think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders towards a common goal. Whether it was spearheading advocacy campaigns, organizing events, or representing our collective voice in high-level discussions, each experience contributed to my personal and professional growth in profound ways.
Moreover, the supportive and collaborative environment within the U.S. YAC UNOD fostered a sense of confidence in my abilities to undertake leadership roles in the future. The mentorship, guidance, and encouragement received from fellow members and mentors empowered me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges with enthusiasm and determination.
I have always had a long-standing passion for community development, and environmental sustainability. And from what I know I admire the work Heirs To Our Ocean do: the empowerment you give youth to take action and create positive change.
Through the U.S. YAC for the UN Ocean Decade, my desire to dive deeper into plastic pollution and collaborate with like-minded advocates from across the country was fully realized. Participating in a national brand audit allowed me to explore plastic waste more thoroughly by comparing data from my local community cleanups with trends observed nationwide.
Beyond the work, I had the chance to connect and collaborate with over 40 incredible youth advocates—relationships I hope to continue even after the YAC concludes.
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 representatives engaged in discussions highlighting the critical role of young leaders in addressing environmental and social issues.
Read on to hear more about the experience directly from Amber Ortiz, an H2OO Global Youth Leader who attended the event:
“The UN Summit for the Future was inspiring in its ability to bring together governmental entities to recognize the importance of youth engagement in UN spaces and prioritize stakeholders in panel discussions. I particularly enjoyed attending a session entitled “Inclusive Digital Future for All” due to the session’s dialogue around the intersection of digital technology and youth activism as a powerful tool for driving environmental change.
Equitable access to digital tools can empower young activists to amplify their voices, share innovative solutions, and collaborate globally on pressing environmental issues. However, the session could have benefited from a stronger focus on creating spaces to explore how to engage youth meaningfully and outlining concrete, actionable steps toward achieving meaningful youth inclusion.
It was somewhat surprising to see how few youth were actually present at the panels and the conference overall. The event could be improved by implementing a more inclusive registration process to make it easier for younger individuals to access and participate in these important conversations.” — Amber Ortiz, 19, H2OO Global Youth Leader
“My heart pounded as I stood up from my chair and headed to the front of the dimly lit hotel conference room to stand behind the mic’d podium. I could feel eyes on me, wondering what the 18-year-old girl who hadn’t even started university yet was going to share at a symposium where the most renowned sea otter researchers and conservationists convene to present their research and work.
My ten-year-old self, the “Doctor Sea Otter” making YouTube videos about random sea otter facts couldn’t believe that I was now about to present my research to people I would read about in books and articles. I looked out into the audience and saw Gena Bentall, Michelle Staedler, Karl Mayer, and Dr. Melissa Miller, people who mentored me when I was just an interested kid, now watching me present my own research. I took a deep breath and began.
Last summer, in partnership with Sea Otter Savvy (SOS), I investigated the frequency, nature, and outcomes of surfer-sea otter interactions at two surfing hotspots on the Santa Cruz coast, Pleasure Point and Lighthouse Point. With the mentorship of Gena Bentall, the director of SOS, I collected data, analyzed it, and created a research poster summarizing my findings. These findings are what I shared at the Southern Sea Otter Research Update Meeting (SSORUM) this last April.
I am now a 19-year-old Freshman at California State University Monterey Bay studying Biology so that I may continue my passion for sea otter research and rehabilitation. The experiences I have had, such as the SSORUM have given me even more drive to follow my goals. I am grateful to the people who have believed in me and who helped me believe in myself. “ – Dakota Peebler, 19, H2OO Co-Founder & Global Youth Leader
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 the experience directly from the H2OO Global Youth Leaders who co-hosted the workshop:
“In August 2024, Armon Alex and I co-hosted workshop where we shared insights from the formation of the US YAC for the UNOD, its intentional programming, and the inspiring achievements across the four cohorts. This sparked genuine conversations on adapting this model to engage youth in other countries, such as the UK. I appreciated the active engagement from the webinar participants, reflecting their commitment to amplifying UK youth voices within the Decade. I found this workshop to have not only educated attendees about the Decade and YACs, but also offered me valuable perspectives when engaging in breakout room discussions and Q&A. I am hopeful this partnership will pave the way for stronger representation of youth voices from the UK when shaping the future of the UNOD.“ – Chloe McKenna, 23, H2OO Global Youth Leader
“The workshop with Young Sea Changers Scotland was a dynamic and enriching experience that provided youth leaders with the tools to understand and engage with the UN Ocean Decade on a global scale. It was an inspiring opportunity to connect with passionate young people from across Scotland, eager to learn about the intersection of ocean conservation and climate action. The most valuable takeaway from this workshop was understanding the importance of creating youth-driven advocacy tools. Together, we discussed how young people can use their voices to shape marine policy and how to advocate for systemic change. My experience as Co-Chair of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council allowed me to share what we’ve done in the U.S., like developing Decade-related resources, while brainstorming how youth in the UK could become leaders in this space as well. This workshop deepened my belief that youth involvement in the UN Ocean Decade is essential to driving impactful change. It also solidified that whether in the U.S. or the UK, young leaders are ready to take action to protect the ocean and shape the future of the planet.” – Armon Alex, 24, H2OO Global Youth Leader & Project Coordinator U.S. YAC UNOD
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 group focused on clear, measurable objectives:
The Policy Working Group is preparing for Hill Days, where members will advocate for ocean protection policies aiming to speak with over 70 lawmakers offices.
The Education Working Group is finalizing editing and publishing of a storybook to make ocean science topics accessible to younger audiences.
The Movement Working Group is organizing plastic brand audit national efforts to tackle marine pollution.
The Communications Team is amplifying these efforts to engage a wider network of advocates on ocean and climate issues. They seek to increase their following across communications platforms by 25%.
With strong collaboration and a shared commitment to making a difference, the 5th Cohort is off to an exciting start and already receiving valuable feedback and professional development opportunities from the U.S. National Committee to the UN Ocean Decade.
“Serving as Co-Chair of the 5th Cohort of the U.S. YAC UNOD has been an exciting endeavor so far that has shaped how I characterize leadership, communication, and action. I’ve come to realize all the work that needs to be done behind the scenes to ensure our goals become reality, so I hope to serve this cohort well through open communication, empathetic leadership, and also taking time to appreciate every member of this group. As I’m on the older end of the “youth” spectrum, I hope to leave a lasting impact through sharing my experiences from my past with others and encouraging them to take advantage of these opportunities. Working with an impassioned group of like-minded young people to address one of the world’s most pressing issues, I feel hopeful for our future fueled by the strength of youth voices and youth action. Though it is still early, we are already taking actions to hold corporations accountable through brand audits, publish an educational storybook to reach underserved youth, and meet with policymakers and federal agencies while visiting Capitol Hill. I am inspired by the work of my peers even beyond the cohort itself and believe we can use these partnerships and talents to further the mission of the YAC while supporting youth development along the way.” – Marria Peduto, 23, 5th Cohort Member U.S. YAC UNOD
“As we onboarded the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, I was honestly struck by the incredible diversity and enthusiasm of our new members. We welcomed youth from 25 states and territories, many of whom had never had the chance to engage at the level that YAC provides. It was inspiring to hear their voices during the onboarding, and I was excited to see the strong desire to work towards real environmental change within their communities. One of the highlights for me was the interaction between new members and alumni; the genuine interest in building connections and learning from past experiences was so encouraging. I’m particularly excited about the cross-sector diversity this cohort brings—from Indigenous communities to non-coastal areas, this group will strengthen our mission to ensure a healthy ocean for everyone, everywhere. The energy and commitment of the new cohort fuels my own passion for continuing this work.” – Armon Alex, 24, 4th Cohort Member & Project Coordinator U.S. YAC UNOD
