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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.

Sophia and other US Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade members speaking to a congressperson’s staff at Hill Days 2024.

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.

Emiliano speaking alongside 4th Cohort members of the US Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade at Capitol Hill during Hill Days 2024.

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.

Pia and US Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade members at 2023 Hill Days.

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.

Noah and SEAL member on the trail during SEAL 2024 in Northern California.

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:

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. 

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:

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.