This Earth Month, National Geographic will celebrate ourHOME by doing what it does best: sharing stories from changemakers, explorers and the storytellers who take us beyond our world and into the rich and diverse ecosystems that form our one and only, home. 

At National Geographic Wear, we are excited to highlight a few young voices who spoke at the Ocean Youth Summit held at the Australian National Maritime Museum this month.

We spoke to an incredible group of individuals making their mark in their own way. Learn about their passion and hopes for a better future for "our home".

Tell us about yourself.
"My name is Dakota Dixon and I am a proud Dharawal woman from coastal Sydney. I am the First Nations Programs Producer at the Australian National Maritime Museum."

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth?
"When we take care of country, country takes care of us. It gives us everything we need to survive." 

Tell us about something game-changing you have achieved, or something you’ve recently discovered that gives you hope for the future of our planet.
"I find it very inspiring seeing the younger generations protesting to make change."

Why are young voices important for the progress of environmental change?
"It's the younger generations that have the opportunity and technology to heal the planet."

What is one thing you believe every person can do to protect “our home”.
"Spend time on country and connecting to nature and the environment around you. Make sure to listen to First Nations Elders and Leaders when it comes to environmental issues."

Tell us about yourself.  
"I’m Kal Glanznig, co-founder of Plastic Free Cronulla a community movement which helped drive legislative change against single-use plastics in NSW, United Nations COP27 & COP28 youth delegate and speaker and also recently made a documentary series called Rising Up about solutions to the plastic and climate crisis in collaboration with Take 3 for the Sea."

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth?
"Living in Cronulla in Sydney’s south and spending most of my childhood in the outdoors surfing, hiking and swimming, I remember vividly sitting at the beach with my mother who showed me the changes our local beach went through from when she was a kid with the mining of the local sand dunes. It made me realise the beauty of nature can’t be taken for granted unless we do something about it."

Tell us about something game-changing you have achieved, or something you’ve recently discovered that gives you hope for the future of our planet.
"I’ve found that hope lies in action! With the documentary series we’ve started to bring to schools, festivals and local theatres - it has been remarkable seeing the way my generation can mobilise and have started to take action. Most young Australians are so concerned about climate change and plastic pollution but don’t know the power that individual action can have that truly creates a butterfly effect of change. It has given me hope seeing messages from strangers about how they’ve taken action in their own lives and I believe if more people were taking action it would compound into turning the tide on these problems."

Why are young voices important for the progress of environmental change?
We are 100% of the future and every single decision made today will impact our lives (for the rest of our lives), our children’s lives, our grandchildren’s lives and generations we will never meet. We are at a pivotal crossroads in the history of humanity and must do everything we can to limit the devastating possibility an apathetic approach to global heating brings. When we think about championing young voices, my generation come with a unique perspective because the consequences of not doing enough is unfathomable. What will I tell my grandchildren when they ask if I did everything I could when I was alive in this crucial decade of action?

What is one thing you believe every person can do to protect “our home”.
"Start ‘changing the world’ by ‘changing your world’, taking action on your own plastic usage through simple reusable switches, for example taking a reusable drink bottle/coffee cup with you instead of buying single-use is such an easy thing to get started and actually makes a huge impact. Plastic is made from oil so will help reduce emissions whilst reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals (at least 4,200 chemicals used in plastic are considered highly hazardous to human health) and reduces pollution in our environment so a huge win for all."

Tell us about yourself.  
"I'm Indiana Rhind, CoFounder and CTO at Farmwall: a company using indoor farming as a well-being solution to improve agriculture and sustainability awareness."

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth?
"Aside from the generic 'we need it to live', growing up I always loved being in nature- one could argue I was raised by the beach. There's just something about being out in nature, feeling dirt or sand between your toes - a sense of childhood joy, calm, happiness. I think humanity would lose a part of ourselves if we were no longer able to experience spending time in a healthy, unpolluted slice of nature." 

Tell us about something game-changing you have achieved, or something you’ve recently discovered that gives you hope for the future of our planet.
"Last year I learnt about and joined Ocean Youth, an ocean action and innovation organisation for youth. Since joining, I've been surrounded by fellow young people all doing amazing things for the future of our planet and who are incredibly supportive of each other. It gives me hope that not only are other people in my generation just as passionate as I am for the future of our planet, but we have elders and mentors forging the path for us such as the amazing Claudette Rechtorik, Founder of Ocean Youth." 

Why are young voices important for the progress of environmental change?
"It's our future. People in charge of making decisions today might not be around to see the catastrophic impact these choices have, but we will have to live with them." 

What is one thing you believe every person can do to protect “our home”.
"Take an interest in understanding where the food, clothes, or anything you consume comes from. Through fostering awareness you're more likely to personally make more sustainable choices whilst also encouraging the expansion of the workforce we require to make these industries more sustainable." 

Tell us about yourself.  
"I am Cay-Leigh Bartnicke, Assistant Curator - Ocean Science & Sustainability at the Australian National Maritime Museum."

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth?
"Living aligned with nature and its cycles opens up a world of wonder and a strong will to protect the defenceless animals and their habitats. To be our best selves we need to be in tune with the planet, and it should be a healthy planet. The Earth needs us, and we need the Earth." 

Tell us about something game-changing you have achieved, or something you’ve recently discovered that gives you hope for the future of our planet.
"I'm proud to be early in my career and already be part of creating exhibitions and outreach programs to speak on behalf of the vulnerable oceanic environment, the connected waterways and share its stories and splendour with our local and national communities at the Musuem."

Why are young voices important for the progress of environmental change?
"The future does not belong to the generation of adults currently in power, it belongs to children and young adults. Their concerns and voices should be heard and addressed about their own futures. Each generation's focus progresses forward from their predecessors, and they don't come with the same baggage - young people's perspectives will keep innovating the approach to protecting and regenerating our environment." 

What is one thing you believe every person can do to protect “our home”.
"Get out there and experience nature for yourself! Afterwards, come back and share your stories with the people you know. Stories are impactful and sharing stories can lead others to curiosity and changing hearts, minds and ideally, actions!"

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth? 
"The earth is a bounty we all share in, it’s what makes us cherish life." 

Tell us about something game-changing you have achieved, or something you’ve recently discovered that gives you hope for the future of our planet. 
"I’ve been on some amazing country rehabilitation projects with local communities and learnt how feasible it can be to change a landscape for the better with the right experience and intimate knowledge of that land."

Why are young voices important for the progress of environmental change?
"Young voices are important because new minds brim with new ideas and different ways of tackling familiar problems." 

What is one thing you believe every person can do to protect “our home”.
"Be respectful of place and where you are. Whether on the trail or beach, park, or bush. Be mindful of those that may come after you, it’s as simple as picking up rubbish, be it your own or someone else’s. Uprooting an invasive weed from blocking out a sprouting native. Even just choosing to dump the last of your water on a dry plant rather than just randomly. Be intentional in respect to our home."

Tell us about yourself.  
"I'm Emily Rowland, 20 years old, and proudly serve as an Ocean Youth ambassador while studying environmental science and geography at Macquarie University. My passion lies in environmental conservation."

Why are you passionate about protecting the Earth?
"I'm passionate about protecting our planet because it's the only place we have to call home. I believe in the harmony between humans and nature, and I'm driven to conserve our environment for future generations. It's about recognizing that our well-being is deeply connected to the health of the Earth, and I'm committed to being part of the solution."

Tell us about something impactful you've done or discovered recently that gives you hope for the planet's future.
"Launching the largest school environmental club in Nevada, in collaboration with the Sierra Club, was a transformative experience. Seeing diverse students unite on environmental issues gave me hope in collective action for positive change. Upon returning to Australia, I found a similar sense of purpose among like-minded individuals at Ocean Youth. Joining this community has provided me with opportunities to channel that hope into meaningful action, such as the campaign to safeguard Gus the Blue Groper after an illegal spearfishing incident. These moments of unity and activism give me hope that positive change is possible when people join forces for the good of our planet."

Why are young voices important for making environmental change happen?
"Young voices are crucial because we've experienced the impacts of climate change firsthand. Through social media, we're globally connected and can raise awareness and mobilize action effectively. We're the ones inheriting today's environmental challenges, making our perspectives essential. By amplifying our voices, we can drive meaningful change and create a more sustainable future."

What's one simple thing everyone can do to protect our home?
"I believe that one powerful action every person can take to protect "our home" is simply being more mindful. Recognizing that everything is interconnected, our daily choices matter greatly. By cultivating mindfulness in our actions, we inherently consider the impact on the environment and strive for sustainable practices. This mindful approach not only benefits the planet but also fosters a deeper sense of responsibility and connection to our home, recognizing we all have a role to play."