Our organization
OUR STORY
Climate Cardinals was envisioned by Sophia Kianni, who first recognized the need for climate translation during a middle school trip to Iran. Shocked by severe pollution that obscured the stars and alarmed by the Middle East’s rapidly rising temperatures—more than twice the global average—Sophia realized the urgent need for accessible climate information. When she voiced her concerns to her relatives, she was stunned to learn they knew little about climate change due to the lack of resources in their language.
Determined to bridge this gap, Sophia began translating climate information for her family. Inspired by her work, her relatives became supporters of Iranian environmental defenders and eager learners of climate solutions. Realizing the transformative power of language, Sophia gathered friends and youth passionate about creating change—Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, Rohan Arora, Joe Hobbs, and others—, leading to the creation of Climate Cardinals.
What began as a movement to translate climate information into over 100 languages has grown into a broader mission. Today, Climate Cardinals not only breaks language barriers but also connects youth and non-English-speaking communities to global networks and resources. By building agency and fostering leadership, the organization ensures these groups can lead the climate movement and drive long-term change.
the problem
More than 90 percent of climate information is available only in English, but less than 20 percent of the global population speaks English—meaning the global majority is often excluded from conversations about their future.
Moreover, many communities have their own knowledge and solutions, but they have limited access to funding, research, and leadership opportunities in the international system.
the solution
We create climate-ready, resilient communities by empowering youth and the global majority of non-English-speakers to lead climate solutions.
We are a fiscally sponsored project under Future Incubator, a joint program between Registration Nation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 87-3891341, and Future Coalition, a registered 501(c)(4) organization, Tax ID (EIN) 82-3045346.
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
Young people are driving climate action, but language barriers make it harder to access knowledge, funding, and leadership opportunities. Most climate information is in English, which limits collaboration and prevents many youth, especially those on the frontlines, from accessing critical knowledge and sharing their ideas and solutions.
At Climate Cardinals, we believe in the power of youth and collective knowledge. By removing language barriers and creating spaces for connection, we help young people share ideas, support one another, and shape a more just and effective climate movement.
At Climate Cardinals, we’re changing that by:
Expanding Access to Climate Knowledge – Translating and adapting climate information into 105+ languages so youth everywhere can use and share knowledge that strengthens their communities.
Connecting a Global Network of Young Leaders – Supporting 16,000+ youth across 134 countries by fostering relationships, sharing resources, and creating opportunities to grow together.
Uplifting Youth Voices in Climate Spaces – Helping young people navigate and reshape decision-making spaces, while also building new, more inclusive networks for climate leadership.
We work alongside young changemakers across languages and borders to build a climate movement where knowledge is shared, collaboration grows, and every young person has the support to create change.
OUR PRograms
Language Equity
Translations
We translate climate information into 105+ languages, making it accessible to communities worldwide. Our tiered system provides free translations for grassroots organizations while offering professional services for larger groups, using the funds to support youth empowerment programs.
Capacity-Building
Youth Fellows
This fellowship provides mentorship, skills, and resources to the next generation of climate leaders. Our 85+ fellows have launched initiatives, advised global leaders like the WHO Director-General, and earned full scholarships to top universities worldwide.
Chapters
Our 150+ student-led chapters bring localized climate education and action to schools and universities, creating one of the most diverse youth-led networks. 71% of our chapters are in the Global South, ensuring frontline communities lead climate solutions.
why climate cardinals?
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While many climate organizations focus on mitigation, adaptation, or education, Climate Cardinals is the only major climate organization focused on language as a barrier to community resilience.
Less than 20% of the global population speaks English, yet over 90% of climate information is in English.
Climate Cardinals bridges this gap, making climate knowledge accessible to the 6.5 billion non-English speakers who are often most affected by the climate crisis.
Our work spans over 105 languages, far surpassing most global organizations, including UN initiatives, in multilingual outreach.
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With a small full-time team and clear systems, we’ve built a model that maintains high-quality engagement while scaling globally.
Our tiered translation services (free for grassroots, paid for larger orgs) support sustainability without compromising equity.
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Operates through grassroots chapters and regional youth teams.
Co-creates culturally relevant materials and programming tailored to community contexts and needs
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Climate Cardinals is a youth-led organization grounded in transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven leadership.
Our Senior Leadership Team is 60% women and 100% multilingual, with 30+ years of collective experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and advising global leaders—including the UN Secretary-General, WHO Director-General, and EPA Administrator.
We’ve cultivated a deep bench of youth leaders who grew within the organization—from translators to regional leads to global representatives.
This combination of lived experience, credibility, and operational excellence allows us to execute bold ideas with local trust and global impact.
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From the Smithsonian and Translators Without Borders to UNDP and L’Oréal, Climate Cardinals has earned recognition and funding from unlikely and cross-sectoral collaborators.
This helps mainstream language equity as a priority in global climate conversations.
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Climate Cardinals doesn’t just translate information—we build capacity for local action:
Our Fellowship and Chapters programs equip youth with tools to localize climate education and lead community solutions.
We’ve translated everything from UNICEF’s Climate Risk Index into Indigenous languages to Yale’s emergency guides for Spanish-speaking communities, directly influencing behavior change.
Our youth have gone on to represent Climate Cardinals on major global councils (WHO Youth Council, UNESCO US-CAN), showing leadership that is multilingual, diverse, and embedded in frontline realities.
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We’re not a moment—we’re building a movement.
Guided by our soon-to-be-finalized Climate Cardinals 2030 Plan, we’re not just chasing short-term wins—we’re building a legacy.
We aim to activate 25,000 youth leaders per year, reach 60M+ people, and create systemic shifts in how climate education is delivered.
OUR values
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We build trust by sharing openly and working with clarity and care.
Principles:
Share context, decisions, and challenges early and often.
Prioritize accessibility in language, tools, and process.
Make space for honest, informed participation.
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We grow together through candid, compassionate, and consistent feedback.
Principles:
Treat feedback as an investment in one another’s growth.
Offer critique privately, praise publicly.
Normalize learning from wins, mistakes, and everything in between.
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We build strong relationships, care for one another, and lead with joy.
Principles:
Prioritize well-being and connection alongside productivity.
Celebrate often and hold space for each other.
Make belonging and kindness part of how we get things done.
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We nurture leadership that reflects our communities and grows from within them.
Principles:
Empower local, grassroots, and youth leaders already doing the work.
Share power, knowledge, and tools.
Treat lived experience as expertise.
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We believe in what’s possible — and work boldly to make it real.
Principles:
Embrace change with curiosity and confidence.
Stay open to new ideas, new voices, and new ways of solving problems.
Lead with hope — and turn it into action.
DONATIONS
Please use the link below to donate directly to Climate Cardinals.