Alya Zahra Sabira

I'm all in when it comes to this field because climate change has personally affected me. In Sukabumi, the city I live in, there are frequent floods after any heavy rainfall. At my place, we often face a shortage of clean water when the dry season hits, and it's getting worse year in and year out.

This is mainly due to the waste that accumulates in the rivers and drainage systems, blocking the natural flow of water. Unfortunately, these floods often result in loss of life and destruction of homes. To make matters worse, the inconsistent weather patterns caused by climate change have made the situation even more challenging.

Through the State of Youth Sukabumi (SOY SMI), the youth-led organisation I founded, we focus on climate change and other pressing issues faced by our generation. What's cool about our approach is that we've managed to create campaigns and events that are fun and informal. We want young people to enjoy being part of the movement. And you know what? It's working! We've got around 120 awesome young volunteers in our community ready to take part in our campaigns. Also, we've reached thousands of other young people who have benefited from our initiatives. It's all about changemaking being fun and exciting!

One of the coolest things about Gen Z is our knack for social media. We're all about platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We can totally use them to make a difference! We can spread the word of what's happening in our community when it comes to climate change. From sharing stories and information to creating impactful content, we've got the power to reach a massive audience and raise awareness. Social media also lets us have discussions and connect with other young people who care about the same issues. It's our secret weapon for inspiring action and making some real change happen!