Written by E.R., President of The Youth Diplomacy Network
Having already made significant strides, Sophia Suganuma continues to set an example for young people around the globe to take bold steps toward creating meaningful change.
"I am the founding Deputy Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, which is the world’s largest youth-led climate advocacy organization. We mobilize 16,000 youth leaders in 134 countries and have a digital reach of 4.2 million monthly. I am also a student at the University of Oxford, where I study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. At Oxford, I am also a part of the research group at the Violence Extremism Lab, specifically focusing on security research," Sophia shared.
When asked what inspired her to launch such a transformative initiative, Sophia explained, "As the children of immigrants, we began translating climate information originally for our families and communities because we felt the climate movement was leaving people behind. Soon after, there was an outpouring of interest, and we found ourselves completing translations for UN agencies and entire nations. To date, we have translated over 3 million words of climate information into 105 languages, informing a collective 11 million people worldwide about the climate crisis."
One of the key challenges Sophia and her team faced was the persistent lack of funding, a hurdle many youth-led initiatives encounter. "Youth-led initiatives receive less than 1% of climate funding, which is already a constrained landscape," she said. Despite this, Climate Cardinals has managed to achieve remarkable outcomes through resourcefulness, community collaboration, and innovative problem-solving.
Sophia highlighted the importance of building a strong support network. "We would not have been able to have such an impact without grassroots mobilization and the continued support of our youth network," she noted. This sense of shared purpose has been instrumental in overcoming barriers and maintaining momentum.
Time management is another challenge that Sophia has tackled head-on. Balancing her work with her studies at Oxford requires constant prioritization and discipline. "Managing expectations and mastering time management have been critical for me," she emphasized, underscoring that sustained impact is built on intentional planning and commitment.
For young people eager to make a difference in politics, activism, or any field, Sophia’s advice is straightforward but profound: "Start as soon as you can. I wish I began my journey years before I did. There’s no better moment to begin than now." Her message underscores the urgency and possibility inherent in youth-led movements—a reminder that transformative change often begins with small, decisive actions.
Sophia’s journey is a testament to what young leaders can achieve with vision, dedication, and a willingness to confront systemic challenges. Through Climate Cardinals, she has not only amplified climate awareness but also inspired countless others to take part in creating a more inclusive and informed global dialogue on climate action.
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