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United States Xiuhtezcatl Martinez has established himself as an environmental activist and hip-hop artist, addressing global climate change and social justice issues through various platforms.
As youth director, he works to support youth environmental activists in communities worldwide. His work has been featured widely in media.
Named one of Time magazine's Next 100.
Debuted NOW, a reforestation initiative, and plans to partner with a network of musicians, athletes, and entrepreneurs to create content and give back.
Featured in a short film accompanying Dazed's #AFutureWorld campaign discussing climate.
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, born on May 9, 2000, in Colorado, began his activism at a young age. Raised with an appreciation for Mexica traditions, he learned to view the individual as interconnected with the natural world. His first significant act of activism occurred at age six, where he delivered a public speech on environmental protection and later successfully campaigned to prohibit pesticides in Boulder city parks as a nine-year-old. These early experiences laid the foundation for his career in environmental advocacy and artistic expression. He lived in Boulder, Colorado, through 2019, later moving to Portland, Oregon.
Martinez gained international recognition as the Youth Director of Earth Guardians, an organization founded by his mother in 1992, which focuses on inspiring and training young leaders in environmental and social justice movements. He frequently delivered TED talks and spoke before the United Nations, notably giving a speech at the UN General Assembly on Climate Change in 2015 at the age of 15, spoken in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl. His activism extends to legal challenges, as he was a plaintiff in prominent climate change lawsuits, including “Juliana v. United States” (filed in 2015) and “Martinez v. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission” (filed in 2013). These cases aimed to hold governments accountable for climate change and protect environmental rights.
Beyond his advocacy, Martinez is a hip-hop artist. He released his debut album, “Break Free,” in 2018, followed by “TONATIUH” in September 2025. His music integrates messages about environmental justice, indigenous rights, racial injustice, and police brutality. Through his artistic and activist work, he continuously emphasizes the power of youth and the importance of diverse approaches to social and environmental change, encouraging individuals to leverage their passions for global impact. He published “We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement That Restores the Planet” in 2017 and “Imaginary Borders” in 2020. Martinez has been featured in media widely, including appearances on “Bill Moyers” and interviews with various publications.
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