Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
When 8-year-old Hunter Mitchell heard the story of Osita, the orphaned baby rhino at Acquila Private Game Reserve in South Africa, he wanted to do something to help. Hunter created a crowdfunding project to pay for Osita’s care. He spread the word far and wide, delivering talks to school children, businesses and even the police! He also launched a rhino sock collection that was sold at the park shops in Kruger National Park, with all the profits going to charity.
Hunter also visited the rhino sanctuary regularly to check where his money was going and how Osita was doing. He fed Osita his bottle of milk, took him for a little walk and bathed him in mud. One visit, Hunter noticed that Osita seemed overly energetic and guessed it was because he had grown but was still living in a small area. Hunter raised more money and asked for it to be used to build Osita a bigger living area. On Hunter’s next visit, Osita was calm again.
After years of hard work, Osita was successfully released back into the wild. Hunter felt a huge sense of pride and reward. And people around the world recognised his efforts too. In fact, in July 2021, Hunter was awarded the Diana Award, given to ‘outstanding young people selflessly creating and sustaining positive social change.’ It was then Hunter knew he needed to continue helping other orphaned and injured rhinos around South Africa.
Hunter wants to make sure rhinos are looked after so future generations can enjoy them too. He says, ‘We as kids are the future of our planet, and we need to stand up now and make a difference before it’s too late. I don’t want to grow up without the privilege of having these amazing animals in my future, or my children to grow up without ever seeing them in the wild.’
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.
