For inspiring a new generation of Nigerians to take action on climate change through youth mobilisation, environmental education, creative storytelling, and grassroots advocacy, while championing climate justice on international platforms and developing innovative circular solutions for sustainable communities, Amara Nwuneli is the Environmental Impact Person of the Year 2026.
Amarachi C. Nwuneli, popularly known as Amara Nwuneli, is a Nigerian-American social innovator, climate activist, creative producer, actor and published author whose remarkable journey lies at the intersection of environmental advocacy, policy, storytelling and youth empowerment. Born on 27 June 2007, she has emerged as one of the most compelling young voices advancing climate justice and sustainable development, demonstrating that leadership, innovation and meaningful social impact are not defined by age.
At a time when the consequences of climate change are increasingly visible, particularly across developing societies, Amara has distinguished herself by turning concern into purposeful action. Her work is grounded in the conviction that young people should not merely be regarded as future beneficiaries of environmental policies and development programmes, but as active participants in shaping the solutions that will determine their future.
As the founder of Preserve Our Roots, a youth-led social activism movement and non-governmental organisation, Amara has created a platform dedicated to educating, inspiring and mobilising young people to confront climate change and other pressing social challenges. Through interactive seminars, workshops, educational videos, advocacy campaigns and grassroots initiatives, the organisation has provided young people with opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop leadership capacity and translate awareness into practical community action.
Her approach to advocacy rests on the understanding that sustainable change must be inclusive. By equipping young people with the confidence, tools and opportunities to engage in civic and environmental action, Preserve Our Roots has become a vehicle for nurturing socially conscious leaders who recognise that the responsibility for protecting the planet cannot be left to governments and institutions alone.
Amara’s activism extends beyond environmental protection to broader concerns, including inequality, corruption and discrimination. Her interventions have included beach clean-ups, support for communities affected by climate-related challenges, and shoe and book drives for pupils in government schools. These initiatives underscore the practical character of her activism and reflect her understanding of the close relationship between environmental sustainability, social justice and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.
She has also worked to make climate education more accessible and relatable to young Nigerians. Through the Fight Global Warming Nigeria educational hub and other advocacy platforms, Amara has used simple, engaging communication to challenge misconceptions, deepen public understanding and demonstrate the relationship between environmental protection, community wellbeing and the future of younger generations.
Her influence has extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. Amara has represented youth perspectives on international platforms, participated in global conversations on climate action, and attended COP27 as a CCC delegate. These engagements have enabled her to bring the experiences, concerns and aspirations of young Nigerians into broader discussions on climate justice, equity and sustainable development.
She also served as Coordinator and Contact Point for the Arts, Culture and Heritage Working Group within YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In that role, she championed the recognition of arts, culture and heritage as key instruments for advancing environmental awareness, strengthening public engagement and shaping conversations on climate policy.
Beyond advocacy, Amara has demonstrated an exceptional ability to harness creativity and storytelling as tools for social transformation. She produced the award-winning documentary, The Heat of Change, which explores the realities of climate change and stimulates important conversations about environmental responsibility. The documentary reflects her broader philosophy that, while research, data and policy remain indispensable, stories possess a singular capacity to humanise complex challenges, inspire empathy and move people towards action.
Her creative expression extends to literature. In December 2022, she released her debut poetry collection, For We Are Curious, followed by readings at venues across Lagos. Through her writing, Amara encourages curiosity, reflection and deeper engagement with the world, further establishing herself as a gifted communicator and changemaker.
Her commitment to youth-led innovation and social transformation has earned her notable recognition. She was selected as one of seven Ashoka-recognised co-leaders of the EACH movement and is also a member of the second cohort of Ashoka Young Changemakers Nigeria. These distinctions reflect the growing reach of her work and her potential as a leader who is helping to redefine how young people engage with the challenges facing their communities.
Among her most ambitious environmental initiatives is her vision to develop three sustainable public parks in Nigeria. Designed to incorporate recycled materials, the parks are intended to serve as models of circular, climate-resilient urban spaces that integrate environmental sustainability with community development.
The initiative represents an important progression from advocacy to practical innovation. By exploring ways to transform discarded materials into useful public infrastructure, the project advances the principles of the circular economy while demonstrating that environmental challenges can inspire imaginative and sustainable solutions. It also speaks to the urgent needs of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding cities, where population growth, waste, pollution, flooding and inadequate green spaces continue to threaten the quality of urban life.
Amara’s environmental work is complemented by a longstanding passion for the performing arts. She began acting at the age of seven, appearing in school productions before featuring in television and radio commercials. Her first television appearance was on Kids Say The Darndest Things in 2014, followed by campaigns for brands including Ribena, Golden Morn, Maggi and Leadway Life Insurance.
Amara Nwuneli embodies the values celebrated by the LEADERSHIP Awards: innovation, excellence, courage, service and an unwavering commitment to humanity. Through Preserve Our Roots, environmental education, international advocacy, creative production, community service and her vision for sustainable public spaces, she is helping to cultivate a generation of young people who see themselves not as spectators in the struggle against climate change but as active architects of solutions.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that effective climate action is not confined to government offices, international conferences or policy documents. It can begin in a school, a community, a beach clean-up, a poem, a film, a public park or a simple conversation capable of inspiring another young person to act.
For her outstanding contribution to climate change advocacy; her pioneering work in educating and mobilising young people; her innovative use of the arts, culture and storytelling to advance climate justice; and her commitment to building sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities, Amara Nwuneli is rightly honoured as the Environmental Impact Person of the Year 2026.
