Reflection

Saoirse Exton is a remarkable person by any standard - she is the co-founder of Ireland's Fridays for Future chapter, has served on the C40 Mayors' Youth Advisory Board, was elected as the Irish Second-Level Students' Union Equality Officer, and is the youngest-ever advisor to the United Nations. But beyond this striking list of accolades, Exton possesses something much more valuable and rare. She has a warm, friendly, and welcoming personality. She is down-to-earth and kind. When I went out on a limb and reached out to request an interview, I didn't expect her to say "yes" to a random teen across the ocean. Yet, lo and behold, there was a ping in my inbox a couple of days later - and that following Saturday, we hopped on a Zoom call. This only affirmed my desire to highlight Saoirse as a "Climate Hero in Action." She is the best example of a climate hero whose work is astoundingly impressive, yet who also proves that anyone can become a changemaker and move the needle - no matter their age (Saoirse began when she was 13 years old), location (she is from a small, rural town in Ireland), gender, or any other factors. Saorise embodies the best in the climate movement. She understands the complexities of economics; she recognizes her own position within the issue as a citizen in a wealthier Western nation; and above all, she is doing her part to change what she cannot accept - environmental destruction. The world should look to Saoirse's example to move forward and create a better blueprint for the future. We need a million more Saoirse-s to solve this crisis... starting with you and me.