In the lead up to World Humanitarian Day, marked annually on 19 August, climate justice advocate Mitzi Jonelle is clear that the climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis. 

While most people consider the environment “a scientific problem to be fixed by the scientists”, the Filipino youth activist is determined to put an “empowering human aspect” into the climate crisis battle, involving “everyday people”. 

Her optimism surrounding the ability of youth to move the needle towards climate action is contagious – “when we unite, there is so much power there”, she told UN News’s Liz Scaffidi.