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While most 13-year olds are worried whether their hairstyle is compromising their popularity, Illai Kenney is more concerned with exposing urban youth to nature and reducing global warming. A passion for the environment and her relentless pursuit of positive action has given her an international voice on behalf of urban American youth.

Illai recognized early the need to educate children living in cities about the environmental issues affecting them and to instill a concern for the natural world. "We think young people would care if they knew about the problems and if they have a chance to see natural areas where people have not taken over." As a way of addressing this need, Illai co-founded the Georgia Chapter of Kids Against Pollution (KAP)—a multinational network of active youth dedicated to solving and preventing pollution problems. Letting kids know that they can be part of the solution was her first step. Speaking out on behalf of kids to the rest of the world was her second, third and fourth.

Before she even entered high school, Illai had accomplished more than most of us will in a lifetime. Through her work with Georgia KAP (GA KAP), she had become a known spokesperson on behalf of clean air, clean water and energy efficiency measures to curb global warming. Educating religious and civil rights leaders on environmental issues and getting people to take small actions like using energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs had put her on the road to effecting change. By 2001 Illai had helped GA KAP kids expand their focus to include both indoor and outdoor air quality issues and endorsed the Clean Up Southern Company, Tobacco-free Kids and Clean Air Now campaigns. In 2002 she was invited to be a U.S. delegate to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she was the youngest representative from any nation.

Fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) are used to generate approximately 85% of the total U.S. energy consumption. But the combustion of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that create air pollution, acid rain, smog and cause global climate change. Illai's work with youth advocates to educate and mobilize around environmental issues such as these has resulted in many successful actions to increase awareness about air pollution concerns. Her initiative was recently rewarded again when she received Earth Island Institute's 2003 Brower Youth Award for her environmental justice work as co-founder of Georgia Kids Against Pollution.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, as an individual, you can affect nearly 32% of your total emissions by the choices you make in three areas of your life. These areas are the electricity we use in our homes, the waste we produce and personal transportation.

Becoming aware of how our actions impact the environment will make us think. The leadership of people like Illai Kenney will move us to change.

Thanks to the Independence Foundation for their generous support of Wildlife Matters.