Vanesssa Nakate

Vanessa Nakate, born on November 15, 1996, in Kampala, Uganda, is a prominent climate justice activist. She began her advocacy for climate justice in January 2019, inspired by Greta Thunberg, by organizing a solitary protest on the streets of Kampala. Her commitment to weekly protests brought her increasing recognition in the global youth climate movement. In October 2019, she delivered a speech at the Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, urging world leaders to recognize climate change as a critical crisis intertwined with poverty, hunger, disease, conflict, and violence. This speech highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Africa where agriculture is a primary livelihood, emphasizing how climate-induced crop failures lead to food insecurity and increased prices, disproportionately affecting the less privileged. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration in Marketing from Makerere University Business School.

Nakate gained international attention in January 2020 after being cropped out of a news photograph featuring other white climate activists at the World Economic Forum. Her response, stating that the news outlet “didn’t just erase a photo, you erased a continent,” resonated globally and underscored the issue of representation in climate discourse. Building on her activism, Nakate founded the ‘Rise Up Movement’ to elevate the perspectives of African climate activists and initiated a project to install solar panels and eco-friendly stoves in rural Ugandan schools. This ‘Green Schools Project’ aims to transition schools to renewable energy, with installations completed in multiple schools. Her work focuses on ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change, especially children and marginalized communities, are central to global conversations.

In 2022, Vanessa Nakate was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, further solidifying her role on the international stage. In her first field trip with UNICEF, she traveled to Kenya to observe the impacts of severe drought and meet communities receiving life-saving assistance and benefiting from sustainable water solutions. She has addressed world leaders at various climate summits and was featured on the cover of TIME magazine in 2021. Nakate is also the author of “A Bigger Picture,” a book advocating for inclusive climate action. Her continued efforts highlight the need for climate change solutions that prioritize equitable outcomes and address the disproportionate burden faced by African nations.