Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
When José Adolfo was 7 years old, he noticed some of his classmates were skipping lunch because they had spent the little money they had on sweets or football cards. This opened his eyes to poverty in his hometown in Peru. As he looked around more, he noticed many people living in poverty. There were children working in the streets, selling sweets at the traffic lights and begging, all whilst Adolfo got to go to school. Adolfo thought about how he could help them save money so they could go to school.
This is when he decided to start the first bank in the world created for kids and started by a kid, called ‘Banco del Estudiante’ (‘Bank for Students’ in Peruvian). The idea was that the bank would operate a system where kids could bring in solid waste (like plastic) to be recycled and they would get money for it in return. It would encourage recycling and help children save money, a win-win situation!
José emailed and met with teachers, pupils and anyone else who would listen to present his idea. A meeting with members of his town hall helped him get the support of a local cooperative that helped him formally register his bank.
Since its launch, Banco del Estudiante has gained 3,000 customers, helped children save $50,000 (about £37,000) and hired eight employees. In addition, the bank recycles about four tonnes of material (equivalent to four baby humpback whales) a month, making a huge difference in the problem of plastic pollution!
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.
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.
