📍 Kenya

Bulimo Peter is an environmentalist working at the nature-climate-justice nexus. He graduated from Kenyatta University in Kenya with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and further pursued a post-graduate certificate in Tropical Forest Landscape Management and Sustainable Use- a year-long Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI) Certificate Program at the Yale School of the Environment. Besides school, Bulimo has volunteered and worked with Multiple environmental Organizations, both local and international, including Greenpeace Africa (as an NVDA Activist and Campaigner), Kenya Environmental Action Network (as the National Bustani Project Adviser), Hivos-sponsored Voices for Climate Action(VCA) as a Climate Community Mobilizer (CCM), and at Youth4Nature as a Global Ambassador (G.A) and Storyteller. Bulimo is currently serving as a Project Co-lead for Youth4Nature’s INUKA Project, currently being piloted in Kenya. INUKA is a youth-led and youth-focused NbS project that’s leveraging youth expertise, experiential learning and social enterprising to advance NbS best practices, youth leadership and Storytelling and scale up of solutions at the restoration frontier He is also currently pursuing a course in climate finance from the YOUNGO climate finance academy. Besides school and work, Bulimo enjoys exploration, adventure and cool music. Feel free to connect with Bulimo on X or LinkedIn @Peterbulimo

📍 Colombia

Meet Yuliana, a passionate naturalist hailing from the Andean Mountain range, whose love for nature has shaped her life and career. Since her teenage years, she has fervently being an animal rights activist, and her dedication to protecting the environment led her to pursue a degree in Biology and Anthropology at Los Andes University. There, she embarked on field trips to South America's most stunning ecosystems, including the Amazon rain forest and Caribbean mangroves. Her professional journey includes collaborating with indigenous communities to study the impacts of climate change on their food systems as well as conducting biodiversity assessments and training workshops in Serranía de Chiribiquete Natural Park, Colombia's most pristine rainforest. Her research interests encompass agroforestry, Indigenous rights, food sovereignty, and grassroots mobilization for nature. Yuliana is also a fervent advocate for urban agriculture, contributing to the creation of community gardens in Bogotá and organizing documentary festivals focused on nature advocacy. Known for her bubbly personality and boundless energy, she is a people person who thrives in collaborative environments. In her free time, Yuliana loves exploring the outdoors, discovering new cafés, and engaging in cultural events. A passionate dancer, particularly of salsa, she dreams of experiencing all the vibrant festivals and carnivals of Colombia, reflecting her deep connection to her roots and the rich cultural tapestry of her home country.

Effective solutions must address both the climate and biodiversity crises, recognizing the need for justice at the core of all actions. Without centering Indigenous knowledge, youth leadership, and community-driven solutions, we risk failing not just nature, but the people who depend on it. True progress requires systemic change that uplifts the most vulnerable voices in decision-making.

Youth are not just participants in the climate and nature movements; we are leaders. We are shaping policies, driving innovation, and holding decision-makers accountable. We will continue to ensure that young voices and Indigenous knowledge are not only heard but are at the forefront of crafting solutions. Our strength lies in unity, and we demand bold, just action that reflects our vision for a livable future.

Nature-based Solutions are essential for addressing the twin crises, but they must be grounded in justice and human rights. We will continue to expose greenwashing and false promises because true NbS means solutions are rights-first approaches, prioritise ecosystem integrity, community leadership, and the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. There is no space for NbS initiatives that harm biodiversity or violate human rights. We call for strict safeguards and accountability measures to prevent misuse.