Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun, a 14-year-old from Kenya, is a prominent advocate for tree planting and climate action, inspired by Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. She founded Children With Nature, through which she has planted over 1.3 million trees globally. Active in raising awareness about climate change’s impacts on health and wildlife, Chlystun aspires to plant one trillion trees by age 18 and plans to study economics rather than enter politics.
Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun, a 14-year-old Kenyan girl, has gained international recognition for her environmental advocacy, focusing primarily on tree planting as a solution to combat climate change. Inspired by Nobel laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai, Chlystun began her mission at the young age of four. During an early school project, she learned about influential figures, and it was Maathai’s efforts in afforestation that resonated with her deeply. Chlystun recalls, “I said I want to be just like her. But because mum knows of her and how she got beaten and hurt and put in jail, she said: ‘No, it’s better to become a lawyer or doctor and go to Harvard.’” Despite her mother’s concerns, Ellyanne’s determination led her to cultivate a passion for nature, starting with the seeds from her fruit, which she planted in her yard. In 2017, she founded her non-profit organization, Children With Nature, aiming to inspire youth about environmental stewardship. By 2020, she had planted approximately 250,000 trees personally and collaborated with a global community to surpass 1.3 million. Notable partnerships and sponsorships have enabled her to travel and advocate for tree planting, even attending significant global climate events such as the recent climate summit in Dubai. During her engagements, she delivers poignant messages connecting climate and health issues, emphasizing dangers such as the rise of malaria tied to shifting weather patterns. In a collaborative project, she appeared in a dramatic climate change video narrated by British celebrities, illustrating the dire consequences of environmental neglect. Chlystun also participates in educational documentaries, raising awareness about the impact of climate change on wildlife, particularly elephants affected by drought. Despite diversifying her efforts, she remains steadfast in her commitment to tree-planting, aspiring to contribute to the Africa Green Belt initiative and ultimately achieving her ambitious goal of planting one trillion trees worldwide by her 18th birthday. Chlystun intends to pursue a career in economics, aspiring to be a catalyst for change rather than entering into politics, although she admires Maathai’s legacy.
Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun’s environmental campaign is set against the increasingly urgent backdrop of climate change challenges facing the planet. Tree planting serves not only as a tool for combating deforestation but also addresses broader environmental concerns such as biodiversity decline and climate-related health issues. Her inspiration from Prof. Wangari Maathai illustrates the role of grassroots activism in driving significant ecological change and community empowerment, particularly among youth in Kenya where environmental degradation impacts vulnerable populations the hardest. Through her organization, Chlystun fosters a sense of agency among young people, illustrating that effective environmental stewardship begins at the community level.
Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun emerges as a formidable young advocate for environmental conservation, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Prof. Wangari Maathai. Her journey emphasizes the profound impact of youth-led initiatives in addressing climate change through tree planting and community engagement. Despite facing obstacles, her unwavering commitment and innovative approaches to advocacy serve as a beacon of hope for future environmental efforts across the globe. As she continues her work, her aspirations to plant one trillion trees represents not only a dream but a practical goal that underscores the potential for collective action in the fight against climate change.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
