EMILIA BECERRA
PERU, 17
She/Her
Project: Con Mi Futuro No Se Juega ("My Future Is Not to be Trifled With")
After experiencing severe flooding during an El Niño event, Emilia discovered that Amazon deforestation was a root cause of rising global temperatures. In 2019, she and three classmates made history by filing Peru's first youth-led climate lawsuit, demanding government action to protect the Amazon and officially recognize the rights of nature. Their case garnered international media attention, sparking public education and engagement. In 2024, Emilia conducted field research on the Indigenous Kukama women's legal battle to protect the Marañón River. Her findings, which emphasized the value of Indigenous participation and nature-centric agendas, were published and awarded a gold medal by the Harvard International Review. With the most recent hearing held in October 2024, Emilia and her co-plaintiffs await a ruling from the Superior Court of Lima. Emilia remains committed to securing global action to safeguard the environment, vital ecosystems, and Indigenous rights.
Check out Emilia’s work here: LinkedIn