My name is Opeyemi Jolaolu. I’m from Lagos, Nigeria. My passion for Climate action is rooted in the belief that the small, consistent steps we take today can spark meaningful change and shape a more sustainable future for generations to come. Growing up, I’ve seen how environmental challenges affect people’s daily lives, from flooding to heat waves, and it has inspired me to be a part of the solution. Through awareness, advocacy, and community action, I’m committed to helping build a world where people and the planet can thrive together.
My journey into climate action began quietly with questions. Growing up in Lagos, I often wondered why the streets flooded so easily after rain, why the air felt heavier on some days, and why people seemed to accept these things as normal. I didn’t have the word for it then, but I was already witnessing the effects of climate change.
Sometimes, while stuck in Lagos traffic, I would notice the thick cloud of smoke from cars and factories and think about how it must be affecting the air we breathe. My real awakening came when I started working at the Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st), an organisation that promotes voice and accountability in areas like health, environment, education, water, and sanitation. At C21st, I was part of the Environmental Bees Club, where we trained students on waste management, climate change, and environmental awareness. Through the club, we encouraged young people to understand how their daily actions affect the planet and how they can become responsible stewards of their environment. I also attended a training on waste management and recycling that deepened my understanding of how human activities impact our world.
Since then, I’ve remained committed to creating awareness and training for children, participating in cleanup activities, and encouraging others to take small but meaningful steps towards protecting our environment. I came across UrbanBetter while representing my organisation at the Clean Air Forum 2024. In that space filled with inspiring conversation about clean air and healthier cities, I discovered UrbanBetter, and then something immediately clicked. Their focus on youth-led climate action and urban health resonated deeply with my own journey. Not long after I joined their program, and on March 3rd 2025, I was thrilled to be selected as a Run leader, building on my earlier advocacy work. Through UrbanBetter, I’ve connected with passionate individuals across Africa who are working to make cities more livable and sustainable.
During UrbanBetter New York Climate Week’s digital campaign named #CityzensForClimate, I actively participated by posting reflections, sharing insights on climate and health, and amplifying campaign hashtags to spark online conversations. I also encouraged friends and peers to take part, sharing their own actions and stories so our collective message could reach further. This experience was deeply meaningful because it reminded me that impact doesn’t always require a big stage; sometimes, it starts with awareness and the courage to speak up. Being part of a global movement like Cityzens for Climate strengthened my belief that small, consistent actions when multiplied can drive real change in our communities and beyond.
For me, impact means creating ripples of change, starting small but growing stronger over time. Whether it’s leading conversations about climate, training students, or joining cleanup activities, I’ve seen how awareness can spark real transformation. I’ve also become more intentional, hopeful, and connected to a larger community of change makers.
I envision a city where clean air, green spaces, and sustainable living are part of everyday life, a city where people and the planet thrive together. I dream of a world where environmental responsibility isn’t a burden, but a shared culture, something we all live out naturally in our choices and communities. As a Run Leader, I also plan to continue measuring the air quality during our walks and runs, turning each activity into both a movement for health and a moment for data collection and advocacy. By linking physical activity with citizen science, we’re helping communities understand the real impact of air pollution and why cleaner cities matter for everyone.
As a Cityzen, I want to keep being a voice for climate justice, amplifying stories, mobilising others and showing that change truly begins with each of us. Together, I believe we can turn our shared hopes for a better, healthier world into a lasting reality.
For me, this journey is about hope. Seeing young people take small steps for the planet reminds me that change is possible. We may not have all the answers, but we have our voices and the will to make things better.
I’m deeply grateful to UrbanBetter and the Lagos UrbanBetter Cityzens for giving young people like me the space to learn, grow, and lead. Together, we’re not just running for cleaner air, we’re running toward a future where every breath counts.
