African Climate Alliance Podcast

In this episode, we return to South Africa, where young activists took on government plans for new coal-fired power through the #CancelCoal campaign — a landmark youth-led climate litigation effort that challenged how energy decisions are made and whose futures they prioritise.

We hear from Letago, Sibusiso, and Lisakhanya from the African Climate Alliance as well as Michelle Sithole of the Centre for Environmental Rights,  whose reflections trace how litigation, coalition-building, and storytelling became central to the campaign. From young people submitting affidavits to documenting lived realities in coal-affected communities, the case shows how legal action can be strengthened when rooted in real community experience.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How young activists used climate litigation to challenge South Africa’s continued reliance on coal

• The role of storytelling, affidavits, and public campaigning in strengthening the case

• Why coalition-building across activists, lawyers, and communities was critical to the campaign’s success

• What the landmark victory in the Pretoria High Court means as government moves to appeal the ruling

This episode shows that climate justice is fought both inside and outside the courtroom — through legal strategy, public pressure, and the determination of young people refusing to accept decisions made without them.

About Season 3

For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across five African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories are rarely only about climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world shapes daily life, communities, and the futures young people are fighting to defend.

In this episode, we travel to Kenya, where droughts, floods and rising temperatures are reshaping daily life. But despite these challenges, young people are leading powerful climate justice work from both urban and rural spaces.
We meet two youth activists, Christopher and Cece. Christopher uses journalism and filmmaking to educate communities about climate change and renewable energy, while Cece uses storytelling and social media to engage people and inspire action. Their work turns climate education into something tangible, helping communities see themselves as part of the solution.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
• How young activists are addressing the impacts of drought, floods and human–wildlife conflict in their communities
• The use of storytelling, media and social campaigns to make climate education accessible and actionable
• Their vision for a future where youth lead climate solutions and no one is left behind
This episode shows that real climate action is not only about policy or technology. It grows in communities where young people are discovering their agency, resilience, and the possibility of a climate-resilient future.
About Season 3
For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives, our communities, and the choices we make.

In this episode, we travel to Malawi, where droughts, cyclones and energy shortages are reshaping daily life. But despite these challenges, young people are leading powerful climate justice work from an unexpected place: the classroom.
We meet two youth activists who partner with primary schools to teach children about the environment through storytelling, art, games and hands-on projects. Their approach turns climate education into something relatable and empowering, helping learners see themselves as protectors of their communities.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
How young climate activists are turning classrooms into spaces for environmental learning and leadership.
• The use of storytelling, art, games and hands-on projects to make climate education relatable and empowering
• Their vision for nationwide climate education where every primary school teaches children to care for their environment.
This episode shows that real climate action does not only happen on global stages. It grows in classrooms, where young people are discovering their agency, resilience and the possibility of a just future.
About Season 3
For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.

In this episode of the African Climate Alliance Podcast, we focus on Zimbabwe, where young people, particularly women, are standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Across the country, the impacts of climate change are being felt in everyday life. Droughts are leaving families without food and water, while climate migration and menstrual health challenges are deepening existing inequalities. Through the voices of Christina, Wayne, and Anesu, young activists and students who are leading action in their communities, we explore how youth and gender come together to drive resilience, justice, and hope.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
How rising temperatures and water scarcity are affecting young girls’ health and education.
The experiences of women left behind as men migrate in search of work during worsening droughts.
The creativity of rural communities that are developing local, low-cost climate solutions.
The urgent need for inclusive decision-making and gender-responsive climate financing.
Despite the challenges, these young Zimbabweans remind us that communities already hold many of the solutions to the climate crisis. What they need is recognition, support, and access to resources. Their message is clear: climate justice can only be achieved when everyone is included.
Attributions 
This episode includes references to and excerpts from reporting by:
Al Jazeera English 
France 24 English - 'Crying from hunger': Zimbabwe drought hits children (2024)
ITV News - The evidence climate change is driving Zimbabwe into crisis (2025) 
Al Jazeera English - Cyclone Idai: Families hunt for missing relatives in Zimbabwe (2019) 
We acknowledge and thank these outlets for their important journalism, which provided context and insight for this conversation. These excerpts were used under fair use for commentary.
About Season 3
For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.

Episode 1
In this episode of the African Climate Alliance Podcast, we focus on Zimbabwe, where young people, particularly women, are standing on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Across the country, the impacts of climate change are being felt in everyday life. Droughts are leaving families without food and water, while climate migration and menstrual health challenges are deepening existing inequalities. Through the voices of Christina, Wayne, and Anesu, young activists and students who are leading action in their communities, we explore how youth and gender come together to drive resilience, justice, and hope.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
How rising temperatures and water scarcity are affecting young girls’ health and education.
The experiences of women left behind as men migrate in search of work during worsening droughts.
The creativity of rural communities that are developing local, low-cost climate solutions.
The urgent need for inclusive decision-making and gender-responsive climate financing.
Despite the challenges, these young Zimbabweans remind us that communities already hold many of the solutions to the climate crisis. What they need is recognition, support, and access to resources. Their message is clear: climate justice can only be achieved when everyone is included.
About Season 3
For Season 3 of the podcast, we interviewed young activists in our network across 5 African countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. The lesson? Climate stories aren't always stories about the climate. They are stories about how a rapidly changing world affects our daily lives and decisions.