Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
Sitting at the dining table eating chicken nuggets one day, 3-year-old Genesis asked her mother, ‘Where do these come from?’ When she found out an animal had been killed to make chicken nuggets, Genesis decided she would never eat them again. In fact, that day, Genesis decided she would never eat meat again.
Passionate about the cause and determined to make a difference, Genesis gathered the rest of her family and announced the reasons they should follow her in going vegetarian. This was not easy since their favourite family meal was chicken nuggets! But Genesis succeeded.
A year later, Genesis sat with her mother as she breastfed her younger sister and another thought came into her head. She asked, ‘Mum, where does the milk I drink come from?’ Her mother explained that milk comes from cows. Suddenly Genesis realised that taking milk from a cow would be like taking her mum’s milk and feeding it to other humans instead of her little sister. That day, Genesis decided she would stop eating and drinking dairy products. Genesis persuaded her family to join her again!
Genesis felt proud to be making a difference in the wellbeing of animals and the planet. She wanted to inspire others to do the same. So she set up an Instagram account and shared her life as a vegan child. She also attended vegan rights protests and was a subject in the documentary called ‘Vegan: Everyday Stories.’ Her Instagram account grew and attracted lots of attention.
When she was 10 years old, she was invited to deliver a TED talk. Whilst preparing for her TED talk, Genesis learnt that following a vegan diet was not only good for animals, but it was better for the environment too! Genesis has since founded her own charity called Genesis for Animals. The money raised goes towards sanctuaries that provide animals with a permanent home. This includes paying for food, shelter, transport and vet visits.
Genesis wants to make sure that no young animal rights activists get put off by critical people. She says, ‘Some people think extending kindness to all species is a weakness, but it’s actually a superpower. So don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad or crazy for having empathy for animals.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Inspiring girls to learn about and aspire to work in science and technology subjects since she was 16 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
