Climate, Equity & the Power of Science for Change - Suzanne Pierre

As an ecologist and biogeochemist, Suzanne is redefining what climate leadership looks like - merging cutting-edge science with social activism.

May 22, 2025

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Meet Young Leaders Award recipient Suzanne Pierre, founder of the Critical Ecology Lab. As an ecologist and biogeochemist, Suzanne is redefining what climate leadership looks like - merging cutting-edge science with social activism. Her work drives research, public education, and transformative conversations that put equity and sustainability at the forefront of climate action.

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A series of entries from our Walking Softer community that  inform, inspire and support change on our planet.

10 Social Impact Solutions Spotlighted at Global Citizen NOW

Global Citizen is driving urgent action to tackle the world’s greatest challenges and end extreme poverty within our lifetime. During this inspiring event, Pooja learned about numerous social impact solutions, which were once ideas but have since turned into urgent action.

10 Steps To Reduce And Combat Air Pollution

Reducing and combating air pollution is crucial for the well-being of both humans and the environment.

10 Steps to Create a Sustainable Wardrobe

Sustainable fashion is crucial because it considers the environmental and social impacts of the clothing industry. By promoting eco-friendly practices, sustainable fashion helps reduce the immense carbon footprint caused by traditional fast fashion manufacturing processes.

10 Steps to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue that has harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. Here are 10 ways you can help limit your plastic pollution.

2023 Impact Report

As we look ahead, we wish to express our gratitude for accompanying us on this journey. Your participation has played a pivotal role in fostering a healthier future for our planet.

2024 Impact Report: See What We Achieved Together

2024 was a year of meaningful progress, and we’re thrilled to share the Walking Softer Impact Report with you.

5 Changemakers from LA Climate Week You Should Know

From gardens to green jobs, concerts to community circles, LA Climate Week proved that climate action is everywhere.

5 Things I Learned During the SF and DC Climate Weeks - Pooja Tilvawala

From coast to coast, Pooja shares the emerging themes, bold ideas, and personal moments that made Earth Month unforgettable.

AY Young - 2030 Official Music Video

Check out the new music video for "2030" by sustainable recording artist and Walking Softer Young Leaders Award recipient AY Young.

America's Stupidest Parking Secret

Young Leaders Award recipient, Rollie Williams, has a new Climate Town episode where he discusses "a sneaky little law in almost every city in the United States that forces private businesses and residences to build way more parking than they actually need." Hit play for some outright hilarious commentary on this issue... did you know there are approximately 1 billion parking spaces in America? That's four spaces per car and it's increasing with every new development!

Beyond The Haze

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We presented a set of unconventional and thought-provoking climate questions to the recipients of Walking Softer's Young Leaders Award to observe their impromptu reactions.

COY19 and COP29: Insights from Pooja Tilvawala

Have you been hearing the terms COY and COP in the news lately? Discover what they mean with insights from Young Leaders Award recipient Pooja Tilvawala.

ChangeNOW with Pooja Tilvawala

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Changemaker Spotlight - Mackenzie Feldman

Mackenzie and her team at Re:wild Your Campus are on a mission to eliminate synthetic pesticides from all school campuses in the U.S. by 2030.

Changemaker Spotlight - Sea Change

Rowing Around Great Britain Collecting Data and Stories for Nature and Climate.

Checking In WIth Von Wong

Young Leaders Award recipient Von Wong's work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike, and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution.

Checking In With Lauren Castelino

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Young Leaders Award recipient Amanda Sun studies computer science and environmental studies at Dartmouth College. She is the founder and executive director of Green2Go, advisor of Environmental Students of Dartmouth, and a Youth Leadership Councilor on EarthEcho International.

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Checking In With Brayan Cruz

Young Leaders Award recipient Brayan Cruz (He/They) is located on the traditional lands of the Acjachemen people in Santa Ana, OC. As a migrant person, their work is driven by the preservation of culture through seeds and food.

Checking In With Dyson Chee

Young Leaders Award recipient Dyson Chee is a youth activist living on the Hawaiian Island of Oʻahu. In 2018, Dyson founded Project O.C.E.A.N. Hawaii to take on single-use plastics, and since 2019 he has been serving as a director for the Hawaiʻi Youth Climate Coalition.

Checking In With Jack Hanson

Young Leaders Award recipient Jack Hanson is the co-founder and executive director of Run On Climate. He started Run On Climate in 2021 to support local-level leaders and climate activists working to advance climate action in their own communities.

Checking In With Jade Algarin

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Checking In With Jasmin Graham

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Checking In With Mackenzie Feldman

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Checking In With Rollie Williams

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Dairy Is Milking America Dry

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Leadership Summit 2024

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Stop The Perpetual Plastic Machine

Young Leaders Award recipient Von Wong constructed a colossal 15-foot tall art installation laying out the toxic union of fossil fuels and plastic production.

Styling with Beth Jones

Watch as Beth shares exclusive insights on thrifting to reflect your individual style, all while minimizing your environmental footprint.

Thank You To Our Inaugural YLA Cohort

As the first year of the Young Leaders Award program has come to an end, our awe and gratitude remain front and center.

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Think Of The Mother

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Tracking Plastic, Creating Change - Win Cowger

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Turning Climate Goals Into Community Wins - Jack Hanson

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Von Wong's Skull Of Satoshi

Meet the 11-foot skull that Young Leaders Award recipient Von Wong built to terminate Bitcoin’s impact on climate change.

Walk With Us

With eight billion people on the planet deserving a quality life, we must reinvent how we live - our endless cycle of hyper-consumption with a use, trash, repeat mentality must be challenged.

Walking With - Carlos Curbelo

A podcast to amplify the voices of passionate leaders who are reimagining our connection with Earth.

Walking With - Dr. Robert Davies

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Walking With - Joel David Moore

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Walking With - Pablos Holman

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Walking With - Rollie Williams

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Walking With - Tighe Brown

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We're Deep Frying The Rainforest

Young Leaders Award winner Rollie Williams digs into the truth behind the products we use and exposes the destructive tactics big corporations use to make them.

Young Leaders Award Inaugural Cohort Retreat

The Young Leaders Award is a year-long program that supports passionate, young leaders who are vital agents of change and innovators of solutions for our planet.

Young Leaders Award Recipients

On behalf of the entire Walking Softer team and the nominating organizations, we would like to congratulate the Young Leaders Award recipients.

Young Leaders Award Recipients, Cohort 2

On behalf of the entire Walking Softer team and the nominating organizations, we would like to congratulate our second cohort's Young Leaders Award recipients.

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