Young Climate Crusaders Emerge to Inherit Greta's Advocacy Role
In the aftermath of Greta Thunberg's prominent role in environmental activism, a new generation of climate champions has emerged, one of whom is Agustin Ocaña from Ecuador. He's the driving force behind the Global Youth Coalition (GYC), a renowned organization that's mobilized over a million young people across 177+ nations. Recently, GYC has planned an audacious Atlantic voyage to COP30, promising to keep the fight for our planet's future at the forefront.
At COP 29 in Baku, Ocaña delivered a powerful message to world leaders during a global broadcast for We Don ́t Have Time. With unwavering conviction, he declared, "We, the youth, are getting stronger. You leaders have two options: follow our lead or vanish."
Ocaña's vision for GYC is a world where youth-led innovation and intergenerational collaboration shape the present and future. By leveraging training, campaigns, and digital content, GYC has managed to establish representatives in the COP negotiations.
During COP 29, GYC made significant strides, delivering influential interventions on critical topics like the Loss and Damage Fund and Nature-Based Solutions. They also launched their third Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT) educational program in collaboration with Oxford University, attracting 20,000 applications across its first two iterations.
Though the coalition thrives on volunteer effort, funding remains a pressing concern. GYC is also engaged in an extensive regeneration program called Reforesting4Peace. Their work primarily focuses on climate, energy, and climate finance, guided by the Avocado Framework, a united initiative focusing on accountable actions in Nature-Based Solutions, Clean Energy Transition, and the Loss and Damage Fund.
This year, GYC is networking with COP30 actors, including youth, scientists, and influencers, for the "OMW 20+10 - Sailing to COP" journey. This ambitious expedition, honoring the 20-year anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, aims to instill a sense of accountability and urgency in addressing climate change.
Ocaña believes that the tidal shift in climate action must be inclusive: "This journey is more than symbolic. It’s a call to recognize and empower those who carry the weight of our future. The next 10 years will define our planet’s fate. OMW 20+10 is a reminder that the tide won’t wait. It's time to sail toward real solutions."
Beyond policy, GYC is forming transformative partnerships both within and beyond conventional conference rooms. This global recognition of GYC's leadership in climate action has led to Ocaña's recent appointment as Chair of The Earth Prize 2025 Adjudicating Panel and his collaboration with Asia Pacific Tennis, an organization committed to sustainability in sports and youth development.
Consequently, GYC's influence extends beyond high-level negotiations to tangible grassroots actions and industry-wide collaboration. "We equip the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and network to lead the fight against climate change. As we grow, so does our impact, proving that the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, we are leading today," Ocaña concludes.
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Agustin Ocaña, the leader of the Global Youth Alliance, utilized COP 29 as a platform to urge world leaders to follow the youth's lead on climate action or risk becoming obsolete. The alliance, known for its youth-led innovation and intergenerational collaboration, has made significant strides in COP negotiations and launched a Global Youth Climate Training program in partnership with Oxford University. Despite thriving on volunteer effort, funding remains a challenge for the coalition, which is also engaged in a reforestation program called Reforesting4Peace.
In preparation for COP30, GYC is coordinating with youth, scientists, and influencers for the "OMW 20+10 - Sailing to COP" journey, aiming to instill a sense of accountability and urgency in addressing climate change. Ocaña emphasizes the need for an inclusive tide shift in climate action, where the youth are not just leaders of tomorrow but are leading today. This mission extends beyond high-level negotiations to grassroots actions and industry-wide collaborations.
With Ocaña's recent appointment as Chair of The Earth Prize 2025 Adjudicating Panel and his collaboration with Asia Pacific Tennis, the Global Youth Alliance's influence has grown beyond conventional conference rooms. Despite the enrichment data containing news about Elon Musk and Donald Trump, it does not provide direct information about Agustin Ocaña or the Global Youth Coalition.
