Beatrice Phiri is an 18-year-old young reporter with the Children’s Radio Foundation (CRF) and a child climate ambassador in Lusaka, Zambia. The erratic water and electricity supply in Beatrice’s hometown made climate change personal. She decided to do something about it because she realized others are affected. Beatrice goes out into the community and interviews people about deforestation and climate change, she then compiles a radio show for youth.

With an estimated loss of 300,000 hectares per year, Zambia has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, contributing significantly to global greenhouse emissions. Thanks to Beatrice’s work the “Greening the Grey” programme planted 3,000 indigenous trees and children planted trees for their schools. Teenagers see her as a hero and want to be like her: “I feel inspired by Beatrice, she can bring out the best of every young girl in the country.”