Stories

LATIFAH

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 […]

CATARINA

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 […]

DAKOTA & CHARLEY

“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 […]

CARLOS

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 […]

CATARINA

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 […]

DAKOTA

“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 […]

LATIFAH & RITA

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 […]

OLILAI

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 […]

FREYA

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 […]

DEBORAH & DOMINION

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 […]

KALINA

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 […]

CATALINA & JOSÉ

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