Strengthening Climate Education and Activism with Noga Levy-Rapoport
It’s hardly surprising to see a steady growth in the number of activists among Generation Z, a generation often ridiculed or stereotyped for its heavy use of social media and technology. However, it is also highly engaged, particularly on environmental issues and climate change.
Deeply concerned about the future of the planet, Gen Z is taking a critical look at businesses, urging them to adopt sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint. According to a 2021 IBM report, 56% of Gen Zers believe businesses should take responsibility for environmental issues, and 72% believe they should be held accountable for their environmental impact.
Certain names naturally emerge when approaching this game. Among these figures, Noga Levy-Rapoport stands out, a 22-year-old activist and speaker whose influence predominates within this movement in the United Kingdom.
Noga identifies as non-binary and uses the pronoun 'they' in English, which we have translated as 'iel'.
Her journey has been widely documented on social media, highlighting key moments such as her advocacy for the Green New Deal* and her leadership in Teach The Future*, a campaign urging the English government to reorient the school curriculum in the face of the climate emergency and ecological crisis.
However, Noga’s commitment extends far beyond climate issues. They have been heavily involved in various social justice protests, while actively contributing to community initiatives focused on sexual diversity, feminism and sustainable development. Their actions also extend to many creative fields such as music, theatre and the arts.
His vision of a better world is not just a call to collective action, but also an inspiring testament to the transformative power of information and collaboration.
We asked Noga Levy-Rapoport about her journey as an activist, the importance of educating young people about environmental challenges, the interconnected nature of social and environmental justice, and her aspirations for the future.
- Since 2019, you have become a leading figure in the youth movement for climate justice in the UK. Tell us about your journey as an activist and what motivated you to take this path?
It all really started on 15 February 2019, when I attended a protest in Parliament Square, where hundreds of young people had mobilised against the climate crisis. Gathered and singing on the grass outside Westminster, the seat of political decision-making, an instant camaraderie was created between us.
Borrowing a megaphone from another protester, I encouraged people to follow me into the street, knowing that our ability to attract attention began with concrete action.
By the end of the day, over 5,000 Londoners had joined the protest, marching through the streets of London and past Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s residence. Before the event, I felt isolated and powerless, but since then I’ve discovered a vast community of environmentalists and activists who have shown me the power of solidarity and mobilisation.
Recently, I have focused my efforts on communication, political education, youth empowerment and community building, particularly through art.
- You played a key role in the Teach The Future campaign. Could you tell us where the campaign is at so far?
Teach the Future has made significant progress. Under the able leadership of Joe Brindle and Scarlett Westbrook, England’s first youth-led Climate Education Bill has been developed. While challenges remain, interested teachers and students can play a key role by contributing to initiatives such as Teach The Teacher, which aim to raise awareness and support the development of similar bills in Scotland and Wales.
It is crucial to stress that the purpose of education is to prepare us for the future. In this context, preparing for a future in a changing climate has a dual dimension. On the one hand, acquiring the skills to address the multiple political crises unfolding around us, promoting climate action and justice through self-empowerment and global solidarity among young people against fossil fuels. On the other hand, it is imperative to develop the skills to support the most vulnerable around the world, already affected by the climate crisis.
Finally, it is undeniable that we must also learn to “coexist” with global warming and take preventive measures to avoid further disasters on our planet.
- In your opinion, what would be the most powerful tool to promote social and environmental activism today: social media, education, rallies, or a combination of these?
I would say it is a combination of these elements. Tools can only be effective when they are aligned with a specific objective. Social networks, education, communities and solidarity are all instruments that aim to unite and support each other. These diverse means converge towards a common goal: a new era of sustainable and equitable national and international policies.
For those interested in engaging in activism, I would recommend not focusing on which tool is considered the most powerful, but instead finding where your personal skills can be best leveraged. If you excel at communication, you could be an exceptional educator; if you are a visual artist, you could tell compelling stories, both on social media and offline; if you are involved in community projects, you could be an outstanding organizer.
Focus on where your contribution will be most needed, without trying to be the perfect activist who only uses the most popular tools of the moment.
- How do you think we could raise awareness and encourage a sense of social responsibility?
I think awareness of the climate crisis has grown significantly in recent years. Media coverage of climate summits has increased significantly, and public polls show a clear desire for greener policies to emerge as a matter of urgency around the world. But a sense of social responsibility is harder to come by, as we lack widespread education and understanding of the history of the climate crisis.
- Social and racial justice, gender equality, access to education, colonialism, and the environment are all intertwined. Have you noticed a shift in public awareness around this intersectionality since you began your work?
Yes, very much so. But on the other hand, there has been a clear and inevitable resistance: the more we have been able to publicly associate carbon neutrality with economic transformation, the more fossil fuel companies have felt threatened. And rightly so, since they are being singled out for their complicity and direct participation in social and racial injustices around the world. I think we are at a tipping point in the public eye.
Public awareness of intersectionality, which is at the heart of ecological collapse, is higher than ever, but we must continue to advocate for more than just awareness. We need collective action; we need an awareness not only of the past but also an enlightened future about the myriad solutions available to revitalize access to education, decolonization, and global equity.
- What motivates you to continue every day?
Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated. I’m not sure many activists say this publicly, because you never want to disappoint those who might look to you for inspiration, but it’s true. There’s always the fear of what might happen if I stop, but fear is not the most powerful motivator. When I was most afraid of ecological collapse, that’s when I was most paralyzed. I’ve discovered that anger and love, when combined, are the most powerful motivators. I am outraged by the destruction of livelihoods, of futures, for the sake of fossil fuel profits, and I have a special attachment to what has already been lost while continuing to fight to protect what we still have.
- Is there a message you would like to share or advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps but don't know where to start?
You need to find a community. It all starts with a friend, a teacher, a parent, a colleague who shares your values and your belief in the future. No one organizes anything alone. To create change at the local level, you need the vocal and active support of those around you. Not everyone may agree with your ideas; some people simply don’t want to see change happen, or may raise objections to many obstacles in your plan that you may not have noticed. Encourage as much civil, open, and constructive discussion in the forum as possible, and ask your supporters for help in overcoming structural or personal obstacles! Many members of your community will have fresh ideas on how to overcome these obstacles, and in the meantime, you can always take a much-needed break for self-care.
Hold regular meetings, collaborate with like-minded organizations, and forge partnerships with experienced groups with a similar vision. Nothing will happen if you do nothing; but a whole new world can be built by starting somewhere, so don’t be afraid to break as many rules as necessary to get the climate justice we deserve.
*Green New Deal is a policy plan to combat climate change by promoting the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy while promoting the creation of green jobs.
** Teach The Future is a global educational movement that aims to integrate sustainability and climate change education into school curricula to prepare younger generations to face future environmental challenges.
