# Climate Cardinals

Climate Cardinals is a global, youth-led organization focused on making climate action accessible to non-English speakers through translation and education. Its mission is to empower youth and the global majority of 6.5 billion non-English speakers to lead climate solutions.
Since its founding in 2020, Climate Cardinals has mobilized over 16,000 volunteers across 134 countries, trained 200 young leaders in nonprofit operations, and translated million of words of climate-related content into 105+ languages. The organization has reached approximately 11 million people worldwide.

## History

Climate Cardinals was founded in 2020 by Sophia Kianni, a climate activist and the youngest-ever United Nations advisor on climate change. The idea emerged after Kianni visited Iran, where her relatives had little access to climate information in their native language. She discovered that most climate research is published in English, despite the fact that the majority of the world’s population does not speak it fluently.
What began as a small volunteer effort quickly grew into a global initiative. Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, a founding team member, played a key role in developing the organization’s structured programs and later became Climate Cardinals’ first full-time Executive Director.
Climate Cardinals has collaborated with institutions such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and the UN Environment Programme and has received funding from Google.org to support its translation work.

## Programs and activities
### Translation Initiative

Climate Cardinals translates climate information into more than 105 languages, working with volunteers and professional translators. It prioritizes free translations for grassroots organizations while offering affordable services for larger institutions, using proceeds to support youth-led climate education.

### Chapters Program

The organization operates a network of more than 200 student-led chapters in 35 countries, with 81% located in the Global South. These chapters focus on local climate education, advocacy, and action tailored to community needs.

### Youth Fellows Program

The Youth Fellows Program trains young leaders in nonprofit operations and strategic changemaking. Since its launch, 200 fellows have completed the program, with some going on to advise the WHO Director-General and receive scholarships to leading universities.

### Climate Calling

Launched in 2025, Climate Calling is an online platform designed to connect over 70,000 youth with climate-related jobs, internships, and funding opportunities.

### Ambassadors Program

The Ambassadors Program provides educational resources and toolkits for young people to promote climate literacy in their communities. With 40,000 sign-ups across 134 countries, it is posed to become one of the largest multilingual climate education networks.

## Impact

* 16,000+ volunteers mobilized
* 3 million+ words translated into 105+ languages
* 11 million+ people reached through multilingual climate education
* 200+ chapters in 35 countries
* 200+ young leaders trained through the Youth Fellows Program

## Recognition and media coverage

Climate Cardinals has received national and international recognition for its work in climate education and advocacy. It has been featured in:
* TED Countdown Global Ideas Award
* Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact
* National Geographic’s Young Explorers
* BBC 100 Women
* Grist 50
* L'Oréal Women of Worth
* Reuters Climate Future Leaders 2024
The organization’s leadership has participated in advisory groups, including:
* UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
* UNESCO Youth Climate Action Network
* World Health Organization Youth Council
* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Environmental Youth Advisory Council

## Governance and structure

Climate Cardinals is a fiscally sponsored project under Future Incubator, a joint program between Registration Nation and Future Coalition.
Climate Cardinals shares the same board as Future Coalition.

### Advisory board

Climate Cardinals is advised by environmental leaders and policy experts, including:
* Hugh Evans – CEO & Co-Founder, Global Citizen
* Sylvia Earle – Oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
* Ryan Hathaway – Biden-Harris White House Director of Environmental Justice