ECO-HERO AWARD WINNERS
Rafia Saleem
2003: International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Winner of the 2003 Eco-Hero Award, Rafia Saleem has grown from a young water safety advocate into a development leader at the World Bank. Discover how she uses her expertise in finance and media—including her hit radio show "Sabz Khawab"—to champion climate action and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
Nethanya Fonseka
2025: 2nd PLACE
Nethanya Fonseka, 16, from Michigan, leads Plant It Forward, a powerful initiative combating climate change through tree planting. She cultivates climate resilience and environmental justice, securing funding for a microforest and honoring Indigenous heritage through native gardens.
Aziza Kennedy
2025: HONORABLE MENTION
Aziza Kennedy, 16, from Alexandria, Virginia, transformed her school's waste management by establishing the "SJC Compost Initiative." Through unwavering persistence, she successfully implemented composting to combat food waste and reduce emissions.
Lucile Morehouse
2025: HONORABLE MENTION
Lucile Morehouse, 14, from Oklahoma, leads "Lucile's Pollinator Project," distributing thousands of native seed packets globally. She's sowing seeds of change, raising awareness, and fostering vital habitats to combat pollinator decline.
Ananya & Shyam Manikandan
2025: FINALISTS
Ananya and Shyam Manikandan, a brother-sister duo from the UAE, champion sustainable living through an innovative blend of short films, music, and community action, inspiring thousands to reduce waste and protect the planet.
Nigel D'Souza
2025: FINALIST
Nigel D'Souza, 14, from Arusha, Tanzania, is a dedicated young herpetologist and conservationist. He uses his platform to educate communities about the importance of snakes, dispelling common fears and highlighting their crucial role in the ecosystem.
Satvika Iyer
2023: 3rd PLACE
Eco-Hero Satvika Iyer is a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems and waste reduction. Discover her impact from school cafeterias to UC Berkeley's energy initiatives.
Mannat Kaur
2023: 3rd PLACE
India faces an acute water crisis. Learn how Mannat Kaur’s low-cost greywater system is saving thousands of liters of water daily, offering a vital solution to the nation's water crisis and promoting sustainable water management.