Key Impact Points:
- Sophia Kianni is the youngest-ever United Nations advisor in U.S. history and founder of Climate Cardinals, a global youth-led nonprofit with over 16,000 volunteers in 80+ countries.
- Climate Cardinals has translated 800,000 words into 40 languages with Google Cloud AI, making climate information accessible worldwide.
- Kianni’s accolades include Forbes 30 Under 30, BBC’s 100 Women, and National Geographic Young Explorer.
A Trailblazer in Climate Activism
Sophia Kianni, an Iranian-American social entrepreneur, is reshaping global climate activism. At 23 years old, Kianni is the founder of Climate Cardinals, the largest youth-led climate nonprofit, boasting over 16,000 volunteers across 80+ countries. Inspired by her experience translating climate content for Persian-speaking relatives, she launched the nonprofit to make climate information accessible in multiple languages.
Her role as the youngest-ever United Nations advisor and her recent appointment to the EPA’s National Youth Advisory Council highlight her influence on international environmental policy. “Organizations can inspire and recruit the next generation by offering opportunities like internships or volunteer roles with real responsibility and room for growth,” Kianni shared.
Expanding Climate Education
Climate Cardinals leverages partnerships, including a groundbreaking collaboration with Google Cloud AI, to amplify its impact. In 2023, the organization translated 800,000 words into 40 languages in just three months, matching its output from the prior two years. In 2024, Climate Cardinals secured $400,000 in funding from Google.org and hired its first full-time Executive Director, further cementing its operational sustainability.
The nonprofit’s work has reached over 350,000 individuals, translating more than 750,000 words of climate data and graphics, with partnerships spanning UNICEF and Translators Without Borders.
Related Article: Rising Stars: Hikaru Hayakawa, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals
A Prolific Storyteller and Recognized Leader
Sophia Kianni’s advocacy has garnered significant recognition. She has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30, BBC’s 100 Women, and Business Insider’s Climate Action 30. Her debut TED Talk has over 22 million views, and she regularly speaks at leading institutions, including Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford.
Sophia Kianni’s journey exemplifies how youth leadership can drive transformative change. Her work inspires a global audience, from policymakers to grassroots organizers, to prioritize climate education and action.
