Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Bisrat Fikadu and I'm 29 years old. I’m a climate and social justice activist, and a ONE activist from Butajira, in Central Ethiopia.

What inspired you to become an activist?

I grew up in a family of more than 12. Our income came from farming the land, for which we relied on the yearly rainy seasons. Climate change led to more extreme rainfall, prolonged droughts and increased temperatures. This damaged the soil, reduced our harvests, and made our crops more prone to pests and diseases.

I drew inspiration from my family and other communities directly impacted by climate change, as well as other activists. Their dedication to environmental and social justice inspired me to push for a fairer, more sustainable world.

What is the focus area of your activism work?

My activism work focuses on advocating for climate justice and environmental equity. I aim to address the inequalities caused by climate change. In particular, the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. These include marginalized populations, indigenous groups, and those in regions facing the worst effects of the climate crisis.

I work on awareness campaigns, community engagement and advocacy. I mobilize people to take action on issues like displacement caused by climate change and sustainable energy, and I fight to preserve biodiversity and natural resources.

Through my work I seek to amplify marginalized voices, promoting sustainable practices and inclusive solutions. I strive to drive systemic change and empower communities to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Which activist has most inspired you?

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan social, environmental and political activist, has deeply inspired me. She founded the Green Belt Movement. It empowers local communities, particularly women, to conserve the environment and protect livelihoods.

Her work shows the power of grassroots activism in bringing about meaningful change. She has inspired many activists around the world to work towards a more sustainable and equal future.

Which activist would you most like to meet?

As an activist, I would like to meet Greta Thunberg. Her dedication and her fight for urgent climate action has sparked a global movement. I'd love the opportunity to learn from her experiences and gain insights into effective advocacy strategies. I'd like to talk about the profound impact of youth activism on shaping a sustainable future.

What's one thing you've learned that might help someone new to activism?

One lesson that I've learned is the importance of collaboration and building strong, diverse networks. Activism is most powerful when it's inclusive and unified. I believe that by connecting with other activists, community leaders, and organizations, we can amplify our impact. We can share knowledge and leverage collective strengths to drive meaningful change.

Thank you for reading, John! We’ll be back next month with another inspiring activist story.

In solidarity,

Kelli Meyer, ONE