At the TIME100 Impact Dinner held on November 10 during the annual UN climate conference, known as COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, climate leaders highlighted the challenges and achievements of transitioning to clean energy and the importance of youth participation in the fight against climate change.
Hope for the Future from Climate Leaders
At this event, five honorees spoke: Michael Sheldrick, co-founder of Global Citizen, Annie Daskuphta, President and CEO of World Resources Institute, Vanessa Hawk, journalist at Telemundo, Matthew Tilliard, CEO of CrossBoundary Energy, and Ji Yi Bastida, climate activist and founder of Re-Earth Initiative.
Michael Sheldrick, who is on the TIME100 Climate list for 2026, emphasized his efforts to link the fight against poverty with climate action. He shared the story of two young people undergoing training for solar technicians in Touws River, South Africa, saying, "Luke and Keanu spoke of the determination and aspirations of a billion young people who will enter the workforce in the next decade."
Challenges and Solutions in Facing Climate Change
Sheldrick also referenced the challenges faced by individuals like Benny, who works at one of South Africa's oldest coal-fired power plants and may soon lose his job. He said, "Benny said, 'When we close this power plant, it’s sad, but most of us know why this is important.'" Global Citizen's goal is to expand renewable energy while ensuring no one is left behind.
Annie Daskuphta, President of the World Resources Institute, spoke about global solutions, mentioning the democratization of solar energy in Pakistan and 10,000 Kenyan farms that are planting macadamia trees on degraded land. She said, "Solutions like these are happening all over the world, and this is a seed for a new economy."
Vanessa Hawk, as an experienced journalist, reported on the impacts of climate change on various communities, stating, "I have reported from the Amazon rainforest, where fires are destroying beautiful ecosystems, and glaciers in the Andes are seriously melting." She highlighted the hope and innovations present among youth and indigenous communities, saying, "Hope is something we build, and it’s a choice we make every day."
Matthew Tilliard, who is also on the TIME100 Climate list for 2026, emphasized accelerating the transition to clean energy by reducing the environmental impacts of mining. He pointed out three secrets to this new transition, which include lowering the costs of solar panel production and decentralized energy systems.
Ji Yi Bastida, founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, concluded the evening by reminding attendees of the significant responsibilities of COP in global climate discussions. She said, "We are here because we have a greater responsibility to our future and our communities." She also mentioned her meeting with António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, who emphasized that youth have inspired him to speak boldly about climate action.
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