Unlocking Nature, Unleashing Youth: Reflections from the First-Ever London Climate Action Week Youth Summit
On a bright summer morning during London Climate Action Week, something truly powerful happened.
150 passionate young people came together for the first-ever Youth Summit—a milestone moment where nature, community, and climate action took centre stage. Under the inspiring theme of ‘Nature Unlocked’, we asked: What happens when we reconnect young Londoners with green spaces? The answer was clear: we unlock bold ideas, shared purpose, and a generation ready to lead.
🔓 Why ‘Nature Unlocked’?
From the very start, the day was about challenging assumptions and shifting narratives. “It should be the statutory right of every young person to have access to nature,” said a speaker from hosts ZSL. And Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy reminded us, “Climate justice is social justice.”
Mete asked us to look deeper:
“For whom are we making London the greenest city in the world?”
“Why have we tolerated breathing dirty air for so long?”
“If you can’t afford to live in the greatest city in the world, what’s the point?”
These questions set the tone for a day rooted in justice, equity, and youth empowerment.
Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy
🌱 Trailblazers: Redefining Who Belongs in Nature
Hosted by the always-energetic Emma Askew (Earth Minutes), the panel brought together four powerful voices:
Clover Hogan Force of Nature
Samia Dumbuya The People’s Ark
Jack Durant Youngwilders
Kalpana Arias Nowadays on Earth
Together, they reshaped the conversation about who really belongs in nature. Kalpana reminded us, “We are nature—not separate from it.” Samia spoke to the importance of young people becoming trainers in their own right, and Clover tackled the weight of eco-anxiety in a world of doomscrolling.
There was an urgency in their voices, but also playfulness:
“Bring your freak to the table.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of a high-vis jacket.”
“Take a vibe check—trust your gut.”
It was a space that made everyone feel they already belonged.
🧭 From Conversation to Action
The day wasn’t just about talk—it was about doing.
Young people explored four Networking Zones focused on:
Careers & Recruitment
Policy, Research & Local Government
Community Building
Storytelling
At the same time, youth-led activities were buzzing with energy:
⚽ A football session with Football for Future
🌱 Capacity building by Force of Nature & Youth Climate Collaborative
🌳 A gentle nature walk led by Jazmeen Qureshi
The summit showed that there’s no one way to engage with nature—sometimes it’s kicking a ball, sometimes it’s telling a story, sometimes it’s simply being present under the trees.
🌍 What’s Next?
As Amy from the Youth Advisory Board said:
“What can you do to give youth a seat at the table?”
The answer? Hold space. Share power. Fund youth-led ideas. And as young people, let’s continue being unapologetic, fearless, and deeply connected to our communities.
We left the summit buzzing with hope, ideas, and a renewed sense of urgency. But more than anything, we left knowing that this was only the beginning.
Let’s keep unlocking nature—and in the process, unlocking the radical imagination of a generation ready to shape the future.
