Sophia Kianni is an Iranian-American social entrepreneur and activist dedicated to advancing climate action, sustainability, and environmental protection on a global scale. As the founder of Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, she has mobilised 16,000 volunteers across 80+ countries to translate climate information into 105 languages. Her efforts contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action (SDG 13), justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), and gender equality (SDG 5).
The genesis of Climate Cardinals
Kianni first recognised the need for climate translation during a middle school trip to Iran. She was alarmed by the severe pollution and rising temperatures—which in the Middle East are increasing at twice the global average. When she raised concerns with her relatives, she was shocked to learn they had little knowledge of climate change due to the absence of resources in their language. Determined to bridge this knowledge gap, she began translating climate information for her family. This small act inspired her relatives to support Iranian environmental defenders and advocate for climate solutions.
Realising the transformative power of language, Kianni partnered with youth activists like Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, Rohan Arora, and Joe Hobbs, leading to the creation of Climate Cardinals. What began as an initiative to translate climate information has evolved into a global movement connecting youth and non-English-speaking communities to climate networks and resources.
The mission and impact of Climate Cardinals
Climate Cardinals operates under the guiding principle that knowledge is power, and breaking language barriers is essential for fostering a just and effective climate movement. Their core mission is to empower youth and the 6.5 billion non-English speakers worldwide with access to climate solutions. They collaborate with UNESCO, UNICEF, and grassroots organisations to achieve this vision.
Expanding climate knowledge
· 105+ languages translated: Climate Cardinals provides translations for grassroots organisations and professional services for larger entities, with revenue supporting youth empowerment programs.
· Multilingual climate campaigns: They develop global outreach initiatives to educate and engage diverse communities in climate action.
· Partnerships with major organisations: Collaborations with groups like the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) ensure access to scientifically accurate and actionable climate information.
Building a global youth network
· 16,000+ volunteers across 134 countries: They connect young leaders worldwide, fostering relationships and sharing resources.
· 150+ student-led chapters: Schools and universities lead local climate education and advocacy efforts, with 81% of chapters in the Global South, ensuring frontline communities play a leadership role.
· 40,000 sign-ups for the ambassador program: One of the world’s largest multilingual climate networks, empowering young people to spread climate awareness.
Developing youth leadership
· 85+ Youth Fellows: Participants receive mentorship, skills, and resources, with many going on to advise global leaders like the WHO Director-General and securing full scholarships to top universities.
· Climate Calling digital hub: A network of 70,000+ young people connected to climate-related opportunities, including funding, mentorship, and career pathways.
· Policy advocacy and thought leadership: Climate Cardinals ensures youth voices influence climate policies through engagements with UN officials, environmental CEOs, and policymakers like Michael Regan.
The role of Global Society in climate action
The work of Climate Cardinals exemplifies the power of global collaboration in addressing climate challenges. By leveraging technology and collective knowledge, the organisation demonstrates how youth-driven initiatives can contribute to the SDGs, particularly climate action, peace and justice, economic equality, and sustainability. Their approach aligns with science-based solutions, ensuring that climate knowledge is accessible, equitable, and actionable.
Sophia Kianni’s recognition and influence
Kianni’s advocacy has garnered international recognition. She has spoken at leading institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, and Princeton, and won the TED Global Idea Competition, with her TED Talk surpassing 2 million views. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Vogue, BBC, TIME Magazine, and many other major publications.
Her accolades include:
· Forbes 30 Under 30
· BBC 100 Women
· VICE: Human of the Year
· National Geographic: Young Explorer
· Teen Vogue 21 Under 21
· Business Insider Climate Action 30
· UNIDAYS Student Woman of the Year
· Energy News Network 40 Under 40 Honoree
As climate challenges grow, youth leadership in sustainability and climate action becomes increasingly vital. Climate Cardinals is not just breaking language barriers; it is creating a network of empowered young leaders who can reshape global climate governance. Their work serves as a model for integrating justice and strong institutions into climate solutions, ensuring that no community is left behind.
More information: https://www.sophiakianni.com/ & https://www.climatecardinals.org/
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@TED