Global Voices: Lessons from Young African Leaders on Climate and Sustainability

Turning universal challenges into local solutions through environmental education, two young African leaders, Harrison Ashangwa and Ritchie Tusabe, are keeping EE relevant and thriving through youth-led initiatives. Harrison and Ritchie both grew up in African countries where environmental education is part of daily life—as knowledge passed down from elders and incorporated into everyday care for their land and communities. Hear directly from Ritchie and Harrison on what inspired these two young men to become educators and organizational leaders for thousands of youth and adults across the continent.

In this episode of The World We Want, Harrison and Ritchie share how their personal experiences led them to environmental education, emphasizing how a lack of awareness is a critical challenge they and their organizations face, and that educating young people is key to fostering climate action. Both young leaders are part of the CEE-Change Fellowship, a cohort centered on combining civic engagement and environmental education, and are founders of organizations driving mentorship and training on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. 

"Life is full of challenges. We did the challenges head on. If we don’t accomplish something, we learn from the experience, from the challenges. That’s how I see my journey and I’m happy to share this story, to talk to people—it’s really helped me to to shape other young people."

As this discussion unfolds, Harrison introduces the idea that both the lack of resources and funding for environmental initiatives in his own country of Cameroon, and across the African continent as well, compared to the Global North. Harrison works to bridge this gap as the executive director of the International Student Environmental Coalition, a youth-led movement that supports young people in over 30 countries.

There is an urgent need for local solutions that are both educational and economically viable, such as waste management and environmental entrepreneurship. Ritchie shares how one formative experience with a professor shaped his understanding that “waste is not waste,” but an opportunity to do something more. In 2020, he was inspired to form “Global Initiative for Young Environmental Stewards,” a youth-oriented nonprofit organization connecting children and youth with positive environmental action. Ritchie emphasizes the resilience of young people and their willingness to pursue opportunities despite systemic challenges.

Both Harrison and Ritchie compare their experiences in Cameroon and Uganda, respectively, to what is happening around the world. Their understanding of the environmental challenges, opportunities, and negative impact of communities on the other side of the world lends insights to how a global effort may be needed to achieve effective environmental stewardship. A key tension in the conversation is the desire of young Africans to embrace Western lifestyles, which often contradict sustainability goals. Young people’s values are changing as they seek out lives in big cities, advanced technology, fancy clothes and cars, Ritchie and Harrison discuss how we can encourage them to prioritize choices align with sustainability and community well-being.

Ritchie shares his own journey as a young person benefiting from a dedicated guardian and mentor. He emphasizes how young people need encouragement, support, and structured opportunities to lead and make an impact. Harrison talks about his role as a mentor and how inspiring even one young person can create a ripple effect of change. Both young men recognize that individual actions alone are not enough—systemic changes, such as policy shifts and institutional support, are crucial.

About the Guest Speaker: Harrison Ashangwa

Harrison Ashangwa is an environmental engineer, climate action leader, and youth mentor dedicated to advancing sustainable development and climate justice in Cameroon and across Africa. With over 8 years of experience in climate and environmental education, grassroots actions, advocacy, and policy engagement, he has empowered thousands of young people to lead environmental change in their communities.

As the Executive Director of the International Student Environmental Coalition, Harrison provides strategic leadership to a global network operating in 32 countries and has designed programs and initiatives that reached over 40,000 youths in Cameroon and beyond, and trained over 500 youths in environmental stewardship and climate entrepreneurship. He has successfully raised over $50,000 in grants to support climate education and grassroots climate justice initiatives worldwide.

Harrison is a 2023/2024 CEE Change Fellow of NAAEE, a 2024 Research fellow of the International Sustainability Academy (Hamburg) and was recently selected as a young researcher for the AU-EU Youth Voices Research Lab, working with other young researchers across the African continent. Learn more about Harrison's CEE-Change Community Action Project and read an interview on his work with the International Sustainability Academy. 

About the Guest Speaker: Richard Tusabe

Richard Tusabe is a CEE-Change Fellowship alumni, a World Food Forum Youth Representative, a COP28 Youth delegate and an Environmental Educator. His dedication to environmental stewardship is not only theoretical but also deeply rooted in practical initiatives and hence he has actively participated in the development and implementation of a number of projects fostering environmentalism in schools, all reflecting his commitment to nurturing the next generation of eco-conscious leaders.