We were lucky to catch up with Arielle Kouyoumdjian recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Arielle, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from the stories I’ve heard and the actions I’ve seen through my podcast and nonprofit work. On my podcast, I’ve had the privilege of amplifying the voices of marginalized communities around the world—people who are often on the frontlines of climate change but rarely get the platform to share their experiences. Hearing their stories of resilience and how they’ve adapted in the face of adversity gives me hope. It’s a reminder that even in the most vulnerable communities, there’s a deep well of strength and innovation that can drive climate solutions.
I’ve even connected with kids from rural parts of the U.S. who are bullied for speaking out about climate change. They continue to advocate, undeterred. These conversations revived my faith in young people’s ability to drive change. Our generation is making a difference.
Through my nonprofit, I’ve also seen firsthand how empowering young people to take action can lead to tangible results. We engage youth from diverse backgrounds in hands-on learning about climate justice and food security, and I’ve watched them step up to lead community-based initiatives with passion and creativity. These young leaders, despite coming from different walks of life, share a common determination to build a better, more sustainable future.
It’s the combination of these powerful stories and the drive of the next generation that fuels my optimism. I believe that by amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering youth, we can catalyze the kind of positive, community-driven change our planet needs. But hope without action is just wishful thinking. Optimism, for me, isn’t blind faith—it’s the understanding that real change takes time and persistence, and I see proof of that in the passionate people around me who refuse to give up.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Memory updated
Here’s a response that highlights both your podcast and nonprofit:
I’m the host of a podcast that dives into the ways climate change impacts marginalized communities worldwide. What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices and share stories of climate resilience that often go unheard. It’s important to me not just to tell stories, but to give space for those most affected by the climate crisis to speak for themselves. From Indigenous leaders fighting to protect their land to communities grappling with rising sea levels, the podcast serves as a platform for these voices to inspire listeners and show the human side of climate change.
Alongside the podcast, I run a nonprofit focused on empowering youth to take meaningful, community-based climate action. Through hands-on workshops and interactive learning activities, we teach young people about climate justice and food security, ensuring that they not only understand the environmental challenges we face but also how they can be part of the solution. One of the most exciting aspects of this work is seeing kids from all backgrounds come together, learning how to make a tangible impact and developing leadership skills that they can carry into the future.
Our mission is to provide tools, education, and inspiration for young leaders to take charge of the climate movement, and we have some exciting plans for the future, including expanding our workshops and launching new programs that dive deeper into climate resilience and sustainable food systems. It’s all about creating the next generation of environmental leaders who will help shape a more equitable and sustainable world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are resilience, empathy, and hope.
Resilience has been critical because working in climate activism and running a nonprofit can feel like an uphill battle. There are always setbacks and challenges, whether it’s dealing with slow progress on environmental issues or figuring out how to effectively engage communities. Building resilience means learning to adapt and keep moving forward despite those obstacles. My advice for developing resilience is to accept that things won’t always go as planned and see challenges as part of the process. Surround yourself with people who can help you stay grounded when things get tough.
Empathy has been a guiding force in how I approach both my podcast and nonprofit. In working with communities most affected by climate change, I’ve learned the importance of really listening to people’s experiences and understanding their needs. My advice for others is to focus on listening more than speaking, especially when working with marginalized groups. Building trust and genuinely caring about the people you’re advocating for makes your work much more impactful.
It’s easy to get bogged down by disturbing statistics about rising sea levels and mass extinctions, and the stagnancy of this climate “movement” that often feels stagnant. But hope—balanced with urgency—has helped me persist. My advice for other youth is to stay hopeful, but not too hopeful. Stay frightened, but not paralyzed. Passivity is the worst crime. Our voices are more powerful than we think they are, and our voices are the most impactful when we speak up together. I want my peers to assert themselves when they see room for growth in sustainability. Contrary to what we’ve been taught, sometimes we need to push back against adults–email the head of school about your idea for implementing solar panels; teach your dad about reducing food waste as he prepares a meal; show your grandmother what she can recycle; talk about politics at the dinner table! The facts of climate change are disturbing, but our society has made progress. It’s not too late, but we have to act now. And even the smallest actions count. Left unfettered, the ripples of climate change today will gather the momentum of the tsunamis that ravage our society 200 years from now. Even the smallest actions have an impact that span the dimensions of space and time.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
My nonprofit, the Changing Planet Justice (CPJ) Foundation, aims to empower youth of all backgrounds to take meaningful steps toward climate resilience and food security through hands-on learning and community projects. I’m particularly seeking adults who are willing to share the CPJ learning materials and Climate Leader Certification with youth in their communities, whether that’s in schools, community centers, or youth programs. We have hands-on learning activities for kids of all ages and interests. We also offer virtual and in-person Climate Leadership Workshops.
I’m also eager to connect with young people who want to share their climate stories. The CPJ Journal offers a platform for youth around the world to express how climate change is impacting their lives and communities. Whether through writing, art, or photography, we want to amplify voices that often go unheard in the climate movement.
If you’re an educator, community leader, or a young person interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect. You can reach out to me through the CPJ website, social media, or at changingplanetjustice@gmail.com. Together, we can help inspire and equip the next generation of climate leaders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.changingplanetjustice.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_planet_justice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091865689303
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielle-kouyoumdjian-changingplanetjustice/
- Other: Changing Planet Justice Podcast link: https://changingplanetjustice.podbean.com
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