Marine biologist Lara Muaves witnessed the impact of climate change firsthand this year, when two devastating cyclones tore through her native Mozambique, leaving hundreds dead, including her best friend.
Nigerian social entrepreneur Mahmood Maishanu sees its footprint in crippling droughts that have hit his homeland. So has French-Moroccan activist Ayoub Makhloufi, who nonetheless remains optimistic that Africa—and especially its youth—can redirect a so-far grim climate change trajectory.
The three count among the growing ranks of young African activists working to spread awareness and turn the tide on what many consider the biggest crisis of this century.
“I’m an optimist,” says Makhloufi, who, like Muaves and Maishanu, is attending this week’s climate talks in Madrid. “I think one day we’ll get there. The challenge is to find the right way so everyone can benefit.