Haven Coleman
Coleman in 2019
Born (2006-03-29) March 29, 2006 (age 17)[1]
OccupationStudent
OrganizationYouth climate strike
Known forEnvironmental activism

Haven Coleman (born March 29, 2006)[2] is an American climate and environmental activist.[3] She is the co-founder and co-executive director of U.S. Youth Climate Strike with youth activists Alexandria Villaseñor and Isra Hirsi.[4][5] an organization dedicated to raising awareness and catalyzing change concerning the climate crisis.[6]

Early life

Haven Coleman was born in Denver, Colorado.[2] She is a student of Denver Public Schools.[7]

Activism

Coleman first felt the pull towards environmentalism when she was ten years old: after learning that her favorite animal, sloths, are diminishing due to deforestation. She then made significant lifestyle changes inspired by sustainable living.[8] Her training at Climate Reality Project educated her further.[9]

After seeing the bold environmental activism of Greta Thunberg and youth climate strikes in Europe, she was inspired to do the same. Thus, since January 2019,[6] at 13 years old, she began protesting in front of businesses or government buildings,[10] such as the Colorado State Capitol.[11] Every Friday she goes on strike to demand political action regarding air quality, coal plant retirement, renewable energy, etc. She also e-mailed elected officials concerning the issue. She was massively bullied by peers in school who thought her stark activism was strange.[8]

Coleman would protest alone until she was able to establish the US Youth Climate Strike together with Isra Hirsi and Alexandria Villasenor.[12] Since then, climate strikes have been conducted across many states in the USA.[13] On March 15, an international youth protest with over 120+ countries involved was held.[14]

Coleman went viral after speaking to state Senator Cory Gardner about carbon polluters on a public forum at the town hall. She implored him to take action and offered to organize a grassroots movement to facilitate, however, Gardner refused.[10]

As she made headlines, she caught the attention of Al Gore, who invited Coleman to speak for the 24 Hours of Reality campaign organized by The Climate Reality Project.[10]

Coleman is presently working on Arid Agency, which is geared towards accelerating environmental and social justice campaigns.[15]

References

  1. ^ @israhirsi (March 29, 2019). "Happy 13th birthday to my partner in climate activism @havenruthie..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b Harmeet Kaur (March 15, 2019). "She's 12 and she's trying to save the world by skipping school". CNN. Cable News Network. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "Skipping School Around The World To Push For Action On Climate Change". NPR.org. March 14, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Nardino, Meredith. "Meet the 13-Year-Old Organizer of the US Youth Climate Strike". DoSomething.org. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "19 youth climate activists you should be following on social media". Earth Day. June 14, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Climate Reality Leader Haven Coleman Talks Today's Youth Climate Strike". Climate Reality. The Climate Reality Project. March 15, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Eastman, Katie (September 19, 2019). "A Denver teen goes on strike for the climate every Friday – and this week, she will march with Greta Thunberg in NYC". KUSA.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Minutaglio, Rose (March 14, 2019). "The World Is Burning. These Girls Are Fighting to Save It". ELLE. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  9. ^ Borunda, Alejandra (March 13, 2019). "These young activists are striking to save their planet from climate change". Environment. National Geographic Partners, LLC. Archived from the original on March 15, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Kutz, Jessica (February 23, 2019). "Meet the 12-year-old activist taking politicians to task over climate change". Grist. Grist Magazine, Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  11. ^ Budner, Ali (March 13, 2019). "Meet the Mountain West Teens Organizing the U.S. Youth Climate Strike". Elemental. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Li, Ang (March 14, 2019). "'It Will Be Too Late for My Generation.' Meet the Young People Organizing a Massive Climate Change Protest". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  13. ^ Budner, Ali (March 12, 2019). "Meet The Mountain West Teens Organizing The US Youth Climate Strike". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  14. ^ Barclay, Eliza; Amaria, Kainaz (March 15, 2019). "Photos: kids in 123 countries went on strike to protect the climate". Vox. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  15. ^ "Haven Coleman". SXSW EDU 2020 Schedule. SXSW, LLC. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
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