From Local Struggles to Global Action

For many, climate change is a headline about rising temperatures and melting ice caps. But Climate Justice centres people, especially those from the most affected regions and recognises that the impacts of climate change are deeply unequal. It demands solutions that are sustainable, fair, inclusive and rooted in the local realities. 

For Rand, a young climate justice activist from Jordan, it began that way, too. But everything changed when she joined the Climate Justice Academy, where she learned contextualised crisis and was rooted in lived experiences. 

I used to speak in general terms. Now, I speak for Jordan, for the real issues that we face.

This is the philosophy behind the Climate Justice Academy, a training programme designed to equip young activists from the global south with knowledge, tools and voice to demand climate action.

In Jordan, climate change shows up as water scarcity, poor waste management and food insecurity. In Tanzania, as part of learning from the community model we use, she saw solutions that are led by community innovation. Women growing herbs in recycled plastics and the neighbourhoods adapting through collective resilience. 

Inspired by the experience she drew from the Academy, Rand launched a recycling initiative back in Jordan, and she began to offer free climate education sessions to underserved communities. Her goal was to make climate knowledge accessible and help others find their voice, just as she had. 

Her voice continued to grow. At COP 28, Rand Stood before the global leaders, journalists and fellow youth activists , taking part in press briefings and leading advocacy campaigns focused on fossil fuel divestment and equitable climate finance. 

 

The Academy taught me to tailor my message, how to speak to governments, youth and the media. When you tailor your message to their own language that's how you get heard.

Today, Rand is a leader in a national project focused on water harvesting and Jordan's King Talal Dam and is partnering with international organisations on climate, gender equality and STEM education. 

Rand's story reflects what climate justice is about: lifting local voices and addressing unequal barriers and inspiring the next generation to turn their lived experiences into global action.