Sustainability Is Fun

Rise Up for Africa!
Vanessa Nakate, The Rise Up Movement in Uganda

When Vanessa Nakate was cropped out of a photo with Greta Thunberg and other white climate change activists, she said, “You didn’t just erase a photo. You erased a continent. But I am stronger than ever.” With these words, Vanessa made an important point about the global fight against climate change: representation — of all colors, creeds, and continents — is critical. For years, Vanessa has felt that African countries have been left out of the picture when it comes to climate change activism. Her goal is to change the narrative. At Davos, online, and in her home country of Uganda, she has made it her mission to shine a light on African activists who are making a difference. After months of solo protests in front of Uganda’s parliament, she founded the Rise Up Africa Movement with Fridays for Future International. Vanessa is not waiting to make her voice heard: she’s lifting it up now.