Our Wellbeing Is Tied to the Health of the Planet: Jane NjugunahOur Wellbeing Is Tied to the Health of the Planet: Jane Njugunah
Stories from the Hearth
Guest post by:
Jane Njugunah
Climate activist, Climate Mobility Community Action Network; youth member, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
🌍 Nairobi, KenyaÂ
Jane Njugunah, a youth activist with Climate Mobility Community Action Network and member of the official youth constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), attended her first Hearth Summit in Nairobi in July 2024. As the Summit weaved together the topics of intergenerational wellbeing, Ecological Belonging, and personal resilience, Jane was deeply impacted by the two-day gathering.
Read Jane’s reflections from the event and how the Summit has inspired further action in her organization to promote climate resilience and youth wellbeing.
Attending the Hearth Summit Nairobi was more than just an event — it became a catalyst for change in my personal, organizational, and community wellbeing. As a youth advocate passionate about climate diplomacy and international relations, I’ve always felt the weight of responsibility to contribute to sustainable solutions. However, the Summit provided me with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity, particularly in aligning my personal goals with the greater wellbeing of my community and my work with CMCAN (Climate Mobility Community Action Network).
On a personal level, Hearth Summit Nairobi expanded my understanding of how climate change deeply affects wellbeing — not just in terms of environmental health, but also mental and social resilience. It underscored the importance of self-care as an advocate and emphasized the need for sustainable personal practices as we work toward larger goals. I left the Summit with a stronger commitment to both my own wellbeing and that of my fellow youth advocates.
On a personal level, Hearth Summit Nairobi expanded my understanding of how climate change deeply affects wellbeing — not just in terms of environmental health, but also mental and social resilience.
For my organization, CMCAN, Hearth Summit Nairobi became a turning point. I brought back innovative ideas and strategies, particularly around youth-centered climate action, that we’ve since incorporated into our initiatives. We now focus not only on climate mobility but also on building community resilience and wellbeing, thanks to insights I gained from the Summit on holistic sustainability. The ripple effects are already being felt in my community: through workshops and dialogues inspired by the Summit, we are fostering a greater sense of collective responsibility for climate action. The conversations that started at Hearth Summit Nairobi are now shaping community-based solutions, empowering youth and marginalized voices to take leadership roles in local environmental actions.
The Hearth Summit Nairobi has become a foundational experience in my journey, reinforcing the belief that wellbeing — whether personal, organizational, or community — is tied to the health of our planet.
The Hearth Summit Nairobi has become a foundational experience in my journey, reinforcing the belief that wellbeing — whether personal, organizational, or community — is tied to the health of our planet.
The global network I connected with continues to inspire me, and I look forward to contributing even more to this shared mission. I am looking forward to more Hearth Summits. Thank you for having me!
