Jennifer Olachi Uchendu (born 10 August 1992) is a Nigerian climate advocate, sustainability expert, and the creator of SustyVibes, a youth-driven initiative aimed at making sustainability understandable and achievable for Nigerian youth.
Jennifer Uchendu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 August 1992 Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Education | Covenant University Institute of Development Studies |
| Occupation(s) | researcher, climate advocate, sustainability expert |
| Employer | Utrecht University |
| Known for | climate activist |
Education
editUchendu was born in 1992 in Lagos, Nigeria and she obtained a degree in Biochemistry from Covenant University[1] in Ota, Ogun State, and a Master's degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, which is part of the University of Sussex under the Chevening Scholarship[2][3] She has been employed by Utrecht University to research eco-anxiety.[4]
Career
editUchendu's interest in the connection between young people, women, and taking action on climate change was sparked during her Master's studies, where she explored climate justice, art, youth, and Eco-anxiety.[5] It was also during this time that she began working with ONCA.[6]
Her research into the mental health impacts of climate change has gained her work attention.[7][8] Within her country their is anxiety about effects like flooding although Uchendu has noted that several local languages lack words to describe climate change.[9] Her work highlights the importance of climate change and its effects on health,[10] and she one of the small number of African activists who attended COP26 in Scotland in 2021. She complained that few African activists are able to attend COP events.[8]
Uchendu's The Eco-Anxiety Africa project (TEAP), was founded in 2022 to protect Africans from climate anxiety. In 2017, Uchendu co-authored the e-book: A Guide to Business Sustainability in Nigeria.[11]
In 2022, Uchendu was named one of the 'Top 20 Young Women in Sustainable Development' by Young Women in Sustainable Development[12] and she was named as one of the BBC's 100 most influential and inspiring Women in 2023.[10]
References
edit- ^ "My Stroll with Jennifer Uchendu, Founder, SustyVibes". HuffPost. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "WorldBeing". www.worldbeing.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Unchendu". IPPA World Congress. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu - Utrecht University". www.uu.nl. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu, the Nigerian activist who makes sustainability relatable to youth :: AWE - En". africawomenexperts.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu". O N C A. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Cottam, Bryony (2022-06-21). "Jennifer Uchendu on founding The Eco-Anxiety in Africa Project". Geographical. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Lakhani, Nina; reporter, Nina Lakhani Climate justice (2022-10-06). "'I have a voice': African activists struggle to attend UN climate talks in Egypt". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Adetayo, Ope (2024-03-11). "The climate cafe helping eco-anxious Africans find hope amid the heat". Positive News. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Agbetiloye, Adekunle (2023-11-24). "Meet the 13 African women named among BBC 100 women in 2023". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu - SNF Nostos". www.snfnostos.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Top 20 Young Women in Sustainable Development". Young Women in Sustainable Development. 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2023-02-20.