"Much of the innovation we are seeing today—whether in the circular economy, education, waste management, or climate-smart agriculture—is already being led by young people"

"At some point, you have no choice but to be involved in climate advocacy, because whether you like it or not, it directly affects your livelihood and your wellbeing"

"We cannot talk about addressing the most pressing challenges of our time while leaving out the group that makes up more than half of Africa’s population"

"We already know that economic downturns lead to increased levels of gender-based violence."

"We need the stories of people in the Global South who are disproportionately affected by the climatic crisis, those on the front lines, because their stories represent the reality of what the climate crisis really is."

"Leaders are failing to grasp the urgency of the crisis before us."

"We need to go beyond talk and realise what climate justice means for African communities."

"This is the harsh reality we are facing. If we want to fight the climate crisis and talk about climate justice, then we need to ensure that girls’ education is put at the heart of the discussions. We have been talking for a long time, but what we need now is real action."

"I would advise you (Africans) to start your own thing."

"Fishers get a high-quality catch and therefore make more money per trap whilst reducing negative ecological impacts"

"The coral reef fish recover due to reduced fishing, and the numbers of fish increase in the tengefu and surrounding fishing grounds. At the coast, there is a growing movement called tengefu, (meaning “set aside” in Kiswahili) in which communities agree to halt fishing for a while."

"I was enlightened on the complexity of the issues in the region, including how development aid compounds the existing problems caused by the political context and the physical environment."

"With the right tools at the right time, in the right place, decisions that save lives can be made."

"I was introduced to the reality of drought and food insecurity."

"This information is absolutely critical for programs that seek to enhance productivity, maximize resources like water and fertilizer, and inform life-saving decisions through early warning leading to early action."

"Marine management is about using a suite of methods that keep fish biomass at around 500 kg per hectare, which greatly increases the chances of sustainability and habitat resilience"

"It is time for young people to participate in efforts to conserve the environment because most of them will be around to suffer the effects of natural calamities that could come as a result of climate change. There are many urgent issues, but I would narrow it down to two; climate change and quality leadership."

"There are many young scientists, young women, people of color or who grew up like me, who don't yet have a clear path. I hope to inspire them that there's room for them in science, that they can help people and be recognized for the work that they do."

"There are many urgent issues, but I would narrow it down to two; climate change and quality leadership.'"

"The seines were banned in 2010. However, they are still used in some areas of the coast where people lack the political will to stop it"

"I have always had the same personal statement: to gain knowledge and apply it back home."

"̽Growing up partly in Dar es Salaam is what made Muthiga have passion for the ocean. "My mother used to take us to the beach on Sundays. Swimming in the ocean and seeing the various creatures, shells and algae washed up on the beach fascinated me""

"Our silent environmentalists, as I like to call them, deserve to be integrated into a system where their economic and social security is enhanced to ensure no one is left behind and the furthest behind are reached first."

"Nigerian informal waste workers’ plight is quite pathetic and the job they do is an essential job because, without them, we will all be living on dumpsites"

"You have to understand the terms gender, justice before you can talk about environmental justice."

"..Talking about environmental justice, we are looking at the root causes of these issues; we are looking at system change. If we can change the system, the climate will change naturally."

"I might be in Abuja but I like to touch the lives of these women out there because when you touch the life of one woman, you have touched the lives of a whole family."

"It's just that climate change has become integrated into all the other aspects. There’s no way you will address the issues of environment, governance, or peace and conflict transformation without bringing in climate change."

"Climate change does not know the face of a woman, man, rich, or even the poor. We need to take environmental issues seriously. We need to plant trees; we need to make policies that touch human beings; we need to stop burning our bushes. The issue of wildlife is very important because we need to coexist with our nature."

"When the young people are not placed strategically to address the challenges especially environmental and climate change, then that nation is doomed. Young people are the strength of this nation; it is also, therefore very, imperative that youth can be pivotal to building social collation, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability."

"Start locally, find ways to raise your profile, and utilise social media to amplify your efforts. Remember, the real impact of your work is what truly resonates"

"Keep striving, keep dreaming. We are all working together towards a more sustainable, equitable future. The future we envision is within reach, and each action, each voice, is important. That is my message"

"I know first-hand how it consumes our time, which is why I identify as an ecofeminist. The water crisis disproportionately impacts women, forcing them to trek for very long distances. This hinders our self-empowerment and steals opportunities"

"Women have a lot to give – we cannot solve the climate crisis without women"

"We succeeded in bringing more young people to the climate justice space. Now we have many young people who want to do something for their communities and countries as well"

"It’s inspiring to see the growing number of people championing climate education in Nigeria and elsewhere"

"We’ve equipped over 10,000 women with the necessary resources – organic fertilisers, indigenous seedlings, and tools – to become game-changers, channelling their traditional knowledge towards environmental conservation"

"They should not play politics with the climate crisis. Now that they are in power, they should do whatever they can to act on the climate crisis. They should put people over profit rather than postponing the climate crisis into the future"

"There were these terrible clashes and people on both sides were losing everything"

"No one is immune to the climate crisis. The more we delay in acting on the climate crisis, the greater the loss and damage"

"I found that many people including university graduates didn’t know what climate change was about; after I engaged them they were able to understand that climate change was real and happening"

"Most African leaders have signed the Paris Climate Agreement; now it is time for our leaders to back up their commitments with urgent actions. Most times, our leaders don’t take immediate actions – not until things have gone beyond control. As the days pass by, we are approaching 2050 – a point of no return – and the elastic limit of climate action. We must act now"

"But what struck me most was how few people connected the dots. They saw the conflict as purely ethnic or religious. When in reality, it was the climate, this invisible hand, that was squeezing the life out of our land and pitting communities against each other"

"I have to take action because it is about my future and the future of other young people like me. We have to demand for urgent action from them. It is our right; we deserve to live in a healthy and egalitarian planet"