With his long, dark hair flowing, Xiuhtezcatl takes the microphone like an old pro. He speaks eloquently and passionately, like a veteran of the war against climate change—and a veteran he is. Xiuhtezcatl began protesting the destruction of the Earth when he was just six years old. In the video above, one of his first public speeches—given at a national environmental protection event—demonstrates the strength of his convictions, as well as his confidence.
Related: Kids demand presidential candidates take action on climate change
Xiuhtezcatl’s poise and determination have made him into a spokesperson for his generation. He has become a world renowned climate activist and is now also the Youth Director of Earth Guardians, a youth-led activist/music movement started in 1992. Two years ago, the nonprofit produced the short film Kid Warrior, below, which profiles the young activist at the age of 14.
Now, some ten years after his first public speech, Xiuhtezcatl works to mobilize young kids and teens in 25 countries to demand environmental protections from policy makers and sometimes, he even addresses lawmakers personally. In the video below, the young activist speaks to the United Nations General Assembly on Climate Change on June 29, 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27gtZ1oV4kw
The teen is not just an impassioned public speaker, but also a spoken word performer and hip-hop artist. Seamlessly weaving his many talents together, Xiuhtezcatl attends protests, hearings, and events across the country as a representative of the next generation. He calls for government agencies to work to halt climate change and preserve the environment for generations to come. He performs alongside his younger brother Itzcuauhtli Martinez, now 13, and backup singer Jasi Sikora. The video below is his speech and their musical performance at the 2015 National Bioneers Conference last November.
+ Earth Guardians
Images via Earth Guardians
