Pacific youth climate leaders take centre stage at inaugural Pacific Climate Reality Training

​“Science has shown us that there is no time for self-doubt. Today you are going to learn to harness your individual strength, as it will take all of us to find the solutions we need.” – Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Fiji

In the Pacific, the climate crisis is not a distant threat—it’s a daily reality. Rising sea levels, widespread coral bleaching, and extreme weather events like Tropical Cyclones Rae and Seru in early 2025 are just a few examples. Yet, despite these challenges, the Pacific region continues to lead the world in climate action, resilience, and youth-driven advocacy.​

On April 5, 2025, that youth leadership took centre stage, when over 130 climate activists from Fiji, Australia, Samoa, New Zealand, and beyond gathered in Nadi for the first-ever distributed Climate Reality Leadership Training in the Pacific.

Organised by The Climate Reality Project Australia & Pacific in collaboration with Pacific climate justice organisations, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, 350 Pacific, and the Alliance for Future Generations - Fiji, the training was held alongside simultaneous events across the globe to mark the ten-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

“This day was about bringing together a growing network of diverse change-makers working together to build a safe, regenerative, and just climate future for all,” said Imogen Butler, Branch Manager of The Climate Reality Project Australia & Pacific.
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“We were honoured to have such a big cohort of youth leaders gather to explore intersectional climate action and leadership and to discuss their experiences of starting climate initiatives within their own communities,” she continued.

The training was designed to catalyse intersectional leadership, recognising that climate change does not only affect the environment but is also linked to social justice and economic inequalities. This approach is central to the work of Pacific youth activists, who are increasingly seen as pivotal agents of change.

One of the participants, Shudha Singh, a Young Professional Co-Chair in the Oceania Regional Committee of the IUCN's Commission on Ecosystem Management, emphasised how the event was not just about learning—it was about reclaiming voices and building solidarity.
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“Speakers across the room engaged in powerful discussions on grounding traditional Indigenous knowledge and lived realities as central to global climate solutions,” she said.

These conversations reflected a broader theme of the day: showcasing the tangible ways Pacific youth are leading on-the-ground climate action.

Participants shared a wide range of youth-driven mitigation efforts across the Pacific, including coral planting, reef restoration, mangrove rehabilitation, and seawall construction.

They also spoke about tackling harmful practices such as balloon releases, littering, and single-use plastic consumption, alongside establishing environmental youth groups and engaging in political advocacy to drive sustainable, long-term change in the region.

Annemary Raduva, a training panellist, student, climate activist and speaker, commented that climate activism has taught her that with a little government pressure, enough willpower, and a mobilised and organised team of youth and activists, big swings in behavioural change can happen in a surprisingly short amount of time.

“In our small corner of the Pacific, we may not get the respect we deserve as youth activists, but we have and continue to mobilise my generation to protect our planet because we have lost hope in our adults,” she exclaimed.
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Conversations throughout the day made it clear that for young leaders, training events such as this provide a critical forum for collective action. Opportunities to gather are pivotal because they not only educate and train but also offer a sense of belonging and solidarity.

“As I left this space, I was reminded of a renewed sense of purpose, tools, knowledge, and an amazing network of fellow leaders ready to act,” said Singh.

The training aimed to celebrate how youth-led climate action is a central force in the global climate movement. The Pacific is not just facing the crisis—it is leading the charge in building solutions, and these youth leaders are at the forefront of this critical movement, Butler explained.

 “Our new Climate Reality Leaders are solutions-oriented innovators, creating a future where climate resilience, sustainability, and social justice go hand in hand,” she said.
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While this was the inaugural distributed training held in the Pacific, it also marked the beginning of new friendships, alliances, and sowed the seeds for continued work on what matters to all of us: a just and sustainable future.

Climate Reality Leaders will now convene regularly to share knowledge, learn from one another, and support each other’s ongoing climate efforts. If you're interested in becoming a Climate Reality Leader, visit our website to learn more and sign up for future opportunities.