EcoTeens: Empowering Youth for Environmental Change
The call for action against unprecedented environmental challenges grows louder each day. Pragna Nidumolu, founder of EcoTeens, has committed herself to addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time by empowering youth to engage in environmental stewardship.
Pragna's journey began in 2017 with a visit to India, where
she was struck by the pervasive plastic pollution and the locals' observations
of changing seasons and declining fish populations. The following year, a trip
to Kenya revealed similar issues, with rampant plastic pollution affecting
wildlife and communities. These experiences inspired her to join the "Adopt-a-Highway"
program, emphasizing that environmental responsibility is a collective duty,
not just for adults.
Driven by her passion for sustainability, Pragna founded
EcoTeens to amplify the voices of teens in environmental advocacy. “Through
EcoTeens, I have witnessed the power of collective action and its
transformative impact on our planet,” she explains. Recognizing the potential
of the 1.2 billion teens globally, Pragna aims to mobilize them to advocate for
sustainable practices in their communities and beyond.
Pragna believes in the power of Generation Z to drive
change. Known for their future-oriented mindset, these teens are key to
addressing climate change. In an interview with the Earth911 podcast, she
emphasized the importance of youth leadership in environmental action. Pragna's
podcast series, “The Green Stories,” features impactful conversations with
global speakers, inspiring collaborative efforts for environmental change.
EcoTeens has also organized four Global Youth Sustainability
Summits (GYSS), each uniting over 50 speakers from 35 countries. These summits
are dynamic platforms for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, fostering
collective action towards a sustainable future.
Pragna's work has been recognized on various platforms.
During Women’s History Month, she was featured in WomELLE Magazine for her
grassroots initiatives. She also spoke at the UN CSW 2024 on the role of young
women in sustainability dialogue.
As the leader of the “+The Cap” Campaign for Million Voices,
Pragna advocates for keeping bottle caps on plastic bottles before recycling to
reduce pollution and enhance recycling efficiency. Her role as an ambassador
for the Sustainable Practices and Solutions Community (SPSC) aligns with her
dedication to integrating UN principles and Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG).
Pragna's efforts have earned her recognition as one of
America’s ‘Top 18 under 18’ for sustainability. She was also the youngest
speaker at the Agile Alliance World Conference 2023, discussing corporate
sustainability from a Gen-Z perspective. Through every platform, Pragna’s
message is clear: sustainability starts with youth.
