Lydia Latifah Nansubuga is an eco and social justice activist from Kampala, Uganda. She serves as a Global Youth Leader and Board Member with Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) and has been a member of the Policy Working Group for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Cohorts of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade.
Latifah has been an active member of H2OO since 2020. Her passion lies in advocacy for both environmental and human rights, as she deeply understands their interconnectedness. She has personally experienced the devastating intersection of climate and humanitarian crises, particularly as a young girl.
At just 13 years old, Latifah developed Climate Smart Urban Farming to grow food and avoid the threat of forced child marriage. She advocates for education and accessible information platforms to amplify voices, provide resources, create empowerment opportunities, and ensure safety and support for all — especially marginalized communities. Her mission is to bridge the gap between the suffering of these communities and lawmakers, emphasizing the power of legislation to create meaningful change.
Additionally, Latifah is dedicated to ending gender-based violence against girls. She speaks publicly to share her story and inspire others to work toward a better, more equitable world.
Currently, Latifah is pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Prescott College in Arizona, U.S.
Litokne, from the Marshall Islands, a low-lying island nation in the middle of the Pacific, committed himself as a youth activist with H2OO in 2019.
Litokne was one of the 16 youth Petitioners in Children vs Climate Crisis wherein he shared his story about how the climate crisis has impacted the very survival of his island home. With only 7 feet above sea level, Marshall Islands lies on the very frontline of the climate crisis, and Litokne’s experiences have urged him to make sure his voice is heard globally.
Litokne believes the younger generation deserves a sustainable planet and should not be forced to leave their home and culture. Litokne’s island home is his identity, and he feels that no corporate actions nor government policies should take that away from him. Litokne takes action with H2OO because he believes that the next generation deserves a healthy and happy future too.
Armon Alex is a distinguished Environmental Science Communicator and Ocean Policy Steward with nearly a decade of experience in global environmental non-profits. Currently serving as a Global Youth Leader and the Project Coordinator & Fundraising Associate for the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, Armon plays a pivotal role in driving initiatives at Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO), an official Decade Implementation Partner of the United Nations Ocean Decade. His work in this capacity underscores his commitment to mobilizing youth leadership and advocacy on a global scale.
As the former Vice-Chair of the City of Corpus Christi’s Mayor’s Environmental Task Force and a key member of the Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU) Board of Directors, Armon wields influence both locally and internationally. He is also the Co-Founder of the Gulf of Mexico Youth Climate Summit, uniting young professionals, students, scientists, stakeholders, and public officials to address the Gulf of Mexico’s critical environmental challenges. This initiative is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, climate action, and Gulf coastline preservation.
Armon’s career began with hands-on water quality testing and has since evolved into a dynamic role in science-based community outreach and advocacy. He is resolutely committed to environmental justice, recognizing the critical role his community plays on the frontlines of the climate crisis. In his spare time, Armon mentors fellow young environmentalists, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to be effective science communicators. His collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication exemplify a vision for a sustainable, diverse, and just world, where young leaders drive critical climate actions and pave the way for a greener tomorrow.
Julia, a marine conservationist from Indonesia, earned her bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from the University of Papua and is pursuing a master’s in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Passionate about marine ecology, habitat preservation, and ocean pollution, she actively contributes through Our ConservaSea and Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO). As a youth leader, Julia spearheads projects to engage and educate communities on marine conservation. She is dedicated to promoting ecotourism, community action, and leadership while inspiring others to protect marine ecosystems.
When Dakota co-founded Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO), it was a passion project for her at 10 years of age due to her strong interest in ocean life and wanting to know more.
As H2OO grew, she connected with and learned from youth from around the world who also wanted to see a better, safer future. At a very young age, Dakota understood that H2OO must be about youth protection, especially for those suffering the most now, with attention to the health of our planet and what the next generation is inheriting. Dakota is now a university student committed to H2OO’s mission of connecting youth in purpose and providing opportunities and resources to the greatest stakeholders of the climate crisis – youth everywhere.
Angela is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley with a strong commitment to environmental health and climate advocacy. She views climate change as one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Therefore, Angela feels a profound responsibility to lead transformative change for the health and well-being of both current and future generations. Angela firmly believes that every individual deserves the right to live in a safe and healthy world where their environment supports their well-being.
Angela is dedicated to ocean conservation. She has a wealth of experience in combating the environmental challenges that our marine ecosystems face while also championing innovative solutions for their preservation on a global scale. As the Founder and Executive Director of successful organizations, Angela is eager to bring her expertise, leadership, and enthusiasm to advance H2OO’s mission and make a meaningful impact on both ocean conservation and climate action.
Amber is a member of Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) who joined in 2020 during the first Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she developed a passion for the environment from a young age although she didn’t always see the best parts of it outside of her window.
In high school, she worked on various environmental projects, from cleaning up local beaches to helping plan more resilient coastal communities in South Queens. More recently, she began advocating for stronger environmental protections at U.S. Capitol Hill with other members of H2OO.
She is currently completing her degree in Marine Biology at the University of Delaware, finding her passion in research, has completed two terms on the Support Team for the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, and is a Global Youth Leader for H2OO.
Outside of her work with H2OO, Amber enjoys kayaking, gardening, biking, and reading on the beach. She also continues to advocate for the environment in her personal life, from engaging in environmentally focused student-run organizations on campus to learning more about environmental racism affecting her community.
Charley Peebler is a 20-year old college sophomore who is passionate about building a brighter future for the next generation through tackling our climate and humanitarian crises. In 2016 they and their sister founded Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO), a global movement started from the ground up to empower youth to take a stand against the crises our planet faces and to position themselves as leaders in eco-justice and climate action. Charley is especially passionate about policy advocacy and climate justice. Their main goal in their activist journey is to make climate and eco-justice space and advocacy accessible to all. In their advocacy work, they use their voice as an advocate as a tool to uplift the voices of others, with the vision of bringing all to the table as we make decisions for the future of our planet.
Cayla Rodrigues, a 17-year-old from Goa, India, is currently studying at UWC Atlantic in South Wales, UK. Growing up amidst the seas and rivers of Goa, she witnessed the devastating effects of irresponsible tourism and environmental neglect. Vibrant coral reefs that once flourished have turned stark white and lifeless within a year. Beaches she cherished as a child have been replaced by hotels that discharge sewage into the ocean, and vital ecosystems like mangroves and marshlands have been transformed into landfills.
These experiences have given her a profound understanding of the urgent need to protect marine environments. She firmly believes that young people can lead the way in advocating for sustainable practices and influencing policies to ensure a healthier planet. Through her involvement with Heirs To Our Ocean, Cayla aims to contribute to global efforts in safeguarding the oceans, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving and balanced ecosystems.
Lucia Rosen is a passionate environmental advocate with a strong focus on water diplomacy and sustainable development. Originally from Mexico, Lucia’s diverse experiences living in both New York City and Paris have shaped her deep connection to global ecological issues. Her academic journey at Phillips Exeter, where she further develops her interest in water-related challenges, has continued to fuel her commitment to making an impact on the planet.
Lucia has been actively involved in environmental efforts, including her work with El Humedal, a critical wetland conservation initiative in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. There, she collaborated on a plant-based water filtration project which addressed the alarming shrinking of the local lake. Her role in the project involved not only researching solutions but also engaging with local communities to develop sustainable practices. Additionally, Lucia further explored a similar project during her visit to a hacienda that had implemented the same filtration system, offering insights into the potential for broader adoption.
She interned at the International Oceanographic Commission at UNESCO during Summer 2024, where she attended the Paris Annual Executive Council Meeting, discussing ocean-related issues with over 100 delegates from around the world. Lucia was able to engage with the high-level discussions on global environmental policies and their impact on young people, reinforcing her commitment to advocating for youth inclusion in environmental decision-making.
Lucia’s work extends beyond water issues to include a range of environmental concerns, focusing on finding practical solutions that can make a positive impact. Her involvement in local initiatives and participation in global discussions highlight her commitment to supporting sustainable development and ensuring young voices are heard in environmental decision-making.
Shay is a third-year student at UC Davis in California, majoring in wildlife biology with aspirations of becoming a research scientist. Shay has been a youth leader with Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) since the founders of the organization gave a presentation to her seventh-grade class. She grew up in a small coastal town with abundant agriculture and wildlife.
H2OO helped her process firsthand impacts of environmental degradation, including evacuations from a historic complex of wildfires and attending a school with unsafe water contaminated by nitrates, and turn her experiences into advocacy. Her journey with H2OO has included leading chapter projects such as brand audits, educational presentations, and both local and national political advocacy. She has also served as a member and Alumna Support Team Intern of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade, attended various summits and conferences—including multiple Summit for Empowerment, Action, and Leadership (SEAL) events—and taken on other leadership roles.
Experiences from her time with H2OO, such as intercultural and intergenerational communication, exposure to current science and policy, and empathetic leadership training, have been instrumental in shaping her critical thinking and dedication to addressing global challenges through communication and connection. The relationships Shay has formed with other members of H2OO have helped Shay develop her values as a human and how she wants to move through the world.
While hoping to become a scientist, she also hopes to be a scientific communicator who can model intersectional and international collaboration on environmental issues, help bring the most at-risk voices to the table in advocating for climate justice, and make meaningful contributions to both grassroots community projects and national policy frameworks. Shay hopes to leave future generations with a world she is proud of. She currently serves as a Global Youth Leader with H2OO.
Emiliano Juárez is from Westchester, New York, and attends Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He is currently a first-year QuestBridge Scholar concentrating in International & Public Affairs on the Policy & Governance Track, and Economics on the Public Policy Track. Emiliano is involved with several on-campus clubs such as playing guitarrón and violin for the Mariachi de Brown, and a part of the Executive Board for Brown’s Latine Leadership Council as the Chair of External Community Engagement for the Greater Brown and Providence Communities.
Emiliano is also an Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) Intern for the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the United Nations Ocean Decade (U.S. YAC UNOD). He has advocated for climate action bills working towards the UN Ocean Decade goals twice with the group, culminating over 20 congressional meetings with lawmakers. Apart from his time with H2OO, he has also spent a significant portion of his high school experience with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Westchester County Youth Councils (WCYC), Westchester Youth Alliance (WYA), Generation Citizen (GC), Citizen University (CU), and OurClimate NY (OCNY).
Emiliano also spent most of his senior year in high school organizing the Música Y Mole Festival, a Mexican-heritage mole competition food & music festival highlighting diverse Mexican businesses and performance groups in his local community in New York. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, gardening, playing/listening to music, and listening to podcasts.