Alexandria Villaseñor is a prominent climate activist and co-founder of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike movement, which is part of the global Fridays for Future initiative. Her activism began at the age of 13 when she was inspired by Greta Thunberg’s speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018. Villaseñor initiated her own weekly school strike outside the UN headquarters, advocating for urgent climate action. This grassroots effort quickly gained momentum, leading to her involvement in organizing the first global youth climate strike on March 15, 2019, which mobilized over 1.6 million young people across 123 countries.
In addition to her role in the youth climate movement, Villaseñor founded Earth Uprising, a nonprofit organization dedicated to climate education and empowering youth to engage in climate activism. Under her leadership, Earth Uprising has focused on integrating accurate climate science into school curricula and fostering grassroots mobilization. Villaseñor’s commitment to climate justice has positioned her as a leading voice in the movement, where she continues to advocate for a 50% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Villaseñor has been recognized for her impactful work, receiving numerous awards, including the Tribeca Film Festival Disruptor Award and the Earth Day Network Youth Climate Leadership Award. She has also been featured in major media outlets and has spoken at prestigious events, including the World Economic Forum and the Democratic National Convention, amplifying the call for climate action on global platforms.
As a passionate advocate for climate justice, Alexandria Villaseñor remains dedicated to her mission of educating and mobilizing youth, ensuring that their voices are heard in the fight against climate change. Her ongoing efforts exemplify the power of youth activism in shaping a sustainable future.