In a world where the whispers of a changing climate grow louder each day, some voices rise above the rest, embodying hope and action. One such voice belongs to Amara Nwuneli, a 17-year-old visionary whose passion for environmental sustainability has not only won her accolades but has also sparked a movement in her home city of Lagos, Nigeria. “Imagine a world,” she mused in an interview with Business Insider, “where every child can play beneath the shade of a tree, not the shadow of forgotten waste.”
On a vibrant Wednesday, Amara was awarded a $12,500 prize in the prestigious 2025 Earth Prize competition. This event is more than just a contest; it is a global stage for teenagers to spotlight their innovative solutions for the planet’s longevity. Mentorship and support are woven into the very fabric of this competition, encouraging young minds like Nwuneli to mold their budding ideas into reality.
So, what will Amara do with her newfound winnings? Her answer is both simple and profound: she plans to create three more parks. “The idea of a greener Lagos isn’t just a dream anymore,” she declares with a smile that is both youthful and wise. “It’s becoming a reality, one park at a time.”
From Thought to Action
Lagos, a bustling metropolis home to 17 million people, finds its green spaces dwindling, occupying less than a mere 3% of the land area, as noted in a 2023 analysis. But what is the cost of losing these green sanctuaries in an ever-warming world? As heatwaves and flooding become more frequent, the preservation of natural spaces becomes vital. It’s more than just about aesthetics; it’s about survival. The vegetation provides shade, cooling the earth beneath, and serves as a natural barrier against flooding.
Beyond environmental benefits, these green oases contribute significantly to human health, reducing pollution, enhancing mental well-being, and potentially lowering mortality rates. The question remains: Why isn’t there more emphasis on creating such spaces in urban planning?
From Tragedy to Triumph
Nwuneli’s commitment to the environment stems from personal experience. Back in 2020, a deluge ensued that flooded her home, uprooting her family’s life and affecting her parents’ spice business by destroying their crops. This event marked a turning point. As Nwuneli poignantly shares, “I realized that sitting idle wasn’t an option. Our very livelihoods depend on the environment, and it’s time we act like it.”
Known for her flair in the theater, Amara initially turned to multimedia storytelling to amplify her message, creating videos about the floods that raised a whopping 2 million Nigerian Naira (approximately $5,000 in 2020 dollars) to rebuild local schools. This venture led her to establish Preserve Our Roots, a youth-oriented NGO focused on storytelling and action. Their documentary on Africa’s climate crisis debuted in 2023, and audiences can watch it on YouTube.
The collective response to her work was overwhelming, stimulating a desire to further bridge the gap between communities and their environmental surroundings. “Many would remark, ‘I wish I could see this in my community.’ That was the catalyst,” says Amara, reflecting on her conversations with locals.
A Playground Emerges
Taking matters into her own hands, Nwuneli and her team targeted a derelict site in Ikota, Nigeria. Utilizing reclaimed materials, local artisans crafted a playground adorned with a slide, swings, and a climbing wall. To combat the chronic flooding of the area — many homes are precariously perched on stilts — they planted flood-resistant trees, enhancing their city’s resilience one tree at a time.
“When we opened the park to the laughter and joy of schoolchildren, it was a moving testament to what community action can achieve,” she recounts, her eyes reflecting both pride and a relentless drive to do more.
Seeding the Future
Her journey is far from over. With the Earth Prize funds, Amara envisions three more parks, each designed as multifunctional community hubs replete with gardens, greenhouses, and waste processing facilities. Her ambitious gaze is set on transforming a vast landfill in Lagos, pending government approval. For the remaining parks, she’s looking at Ogun and Oyo, areas similarly afflicted by extreme weather patterns.
“I’m not satisfied,” she admits candidly, “Every community deserves its sanctuary.” Her utmost aspiration is a Central Park for Lagos — a haven where nature and community can coexist and thrive.
Intriguingly, Amara is not just an exemplar for Africa, as evidenced by her recognition in the Earth Prize, but a symbol for global change. Soon, a public vote will decide a global winner, but isn’t the real victory seen each time another seed is sown, and more importantly, when it takes root?
