Children Spotlight of the Week: Ridhima Pandey – A Voice for Climate Justice
At just 15 years old, Ridhima Pandey is proving that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change. Born in 2009 in Uttarakhand, India, Ridhima’s journey as an environmental activist began when she was only five years old. In 2013, devastating flash floods and landslides swept through her home state, claiming over 1,000 lives and displacing thousands more. It was a moment that left a deep imprint on her young mind.
“I was scared that I would lose my parents and home because of floods,” Ridhima recalls. This fear became the spark that ignited her passion for climate action. As she learned about climate change and global warming, Ridhima decided she could no longer stay silent. At the age of nine, she sued the Indian government for failing to take adequate action against climate change despite its commitments under the Paris Agreement. Though her case was dismissed by the National Green Tribunal, her fight for justice continues as the case now lies before India’s Supreme Court.
In 2019, Ridhima joined 15 other young petitioners, including Greta Thunberg, to file a landmark lawsuit against five countries at the United Nations. They argued that these nations had violated their obligations under the U.N.’s Convention on the Rights of the Child by failing to address the climate crisis. That same year, she led a climate strike in Dehradun, spoke at the COP25 Conference in Madrid, and delivered powerful TED talks, becoming an inspiration to young climate activists worldwide.
Ridhima’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2020, she launched the “Clean Air for All” campaign to push for better air quality after witnessing the positive effects of reduced pollution during COVID-19 lockdowns. She received accolades such as the Rising Star Award from Earth Day Network, the Young Naturalist Award from Sanctuary Asia, and recognition on the BBC Top 100 Most Influential Women’s List.
Her advocacy didn’t stop there. Ridhima penned a heartfelt letter to India’s Prime Minister, urging action against increasing air pollution, and in 2021, she received the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice. She continues to call for science-led conservation, a ban on plastics, and accountability from world leaders.
Currently, Ridhima serves on COP26’s Civil Society and Youth Advisory Council and UN Women’s 30 for 2030 program. She works tirelessly to raise awareness in schools, empowering students to understand their rights and take action for their future. Her relentless activism is a testament to the strength of youth voices in the fight against climate change.
Ridhima Pandey’s story is a shining example of resilience and determination. She reminds us all that no voice is too small to demand a better world. Through her advocacy, she continues to inspire hope for a sustainable, environmentally conscious future.
