As the climate crisis creates economic and social challenges around the world, young leaders are stepping up with innovative, sustainable solutions. One such leader is Tiza Zyambo, a 28-year-old Zambian dedicated to preserving her country’s biodiversity.
Tiza, a founding member of the Zambia Youth Biodiversity Network, is leading efforts to protect Zambia’s natural heritage. Recently, she made her mark at the International Youth Conference on Biodiversity (IYCB), held in Japan, where she was selected from over 9,000 applicants as one of 100 youth leaders. Her address captivated an audience that included the Mayor of Yokohama, representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Environment, and officials from the United Nations CBD Secretariat.
In her speech, Tiza highlighted the urgent need for collaborative action to address the biodiversity crisis. She raised awareness about the severe challenges facing Zambia’s ecosystems, including deforestation, encroachment, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and human-elephant conflict. “Zambia loses approximately 276,000 hectares of forest each year, endangering environmental stability and rural livelihoods. The ongoing drought has also led to a significant decline in maize production, threatening food security,” Tiza stated.
She emphasized the necessity of recognizing biodiversity’s intrinsic value, advocating for sustainable practices, and integrating indigenous knowledge into conservation strategies. According to Tiza, the consequences of biodiversity loss are particularly devastating for communities that depend on these ecosystems for their survival.
Calling for a holistic perspective, Tiza urged the adoption of systems thinking to address the intricate connections within Zambia’s environment.
The conference highlighted the critical role that young leaders play in advocating for biodiversity and shaping a sustainable future for all.
