Felix Finkbeiner, 15, was inspired by Prof Wangari Maathai while in 4th grade.  From that inspiration, he developed the idea that children all over the world could plant a million trees in their respective countries. He spoke to Lydia Limbe about his passion during his Migaa (Kiambu based gated community) sponsored country tour recently

Q: How did you start the ‘Plan for the Planet’ initiative?

 FF: On my fifth birthday, my aunt gave me a huge polar teddy bear, taller than me, as a gift. In the following years, it seemed like everything had a picture of the polar bear on it.  From Tee shirts, pyjamas, blankets, to calendars and posters. While in ninth grade, I gave a presentation to my fellow classmates on saving the polar bear. Later, I learnt that it is not about the polar bear, but it is about us humans. We have to save our own lives.  I then joined the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) Children conference and met 700 other children my age (I was nine years old then) drawn from 100 countries.  I shared my vision and was elected one of seven members of Unep children’s board. I was essentially responsible for the whole of Europe.

Q: Did you in your wildest dreams think it would grow this big?

FF: No I did not. It started to have a life of its own when we held a press conference that generated more than 500 media reactions. With time, children from 193 countries joined in the initiative after some of the speeches I read alongside other children with the same vision went viral on the Internet.

Q: How did you handle the massive media reaction?

FF: The 500 media reactions shocked me and my parents. It was my father who came up with the idea to start academies with the intention that one day I would step back allowing other children to run the vision. He of course wanted to protect me like any other parent would, so involving other children who could give presentations was his best way to do so. These academies are one-day workshops where several children are educated on environmental conservation issues and how they can contribute to this noble cause. The prognosis is that one child will empower about 80 other children as the tree of influence grows. In the last four years, we have managed 256 academies in 29 countries with at least 17,000 participants. Our goal is to reach one million children and youth by the year 2020.

Q: How do you juggle these additional responsibilities with your studies?

 FF: I go to school every day of the week, and give a presentation every two weeks. I have majored in Mathematics and Physics. To prove my commitment, I only have 20 days of missing school in a year on my record. My family and I all work as volunteers. My father has helped to put together an office, which now has 17 employees coordinating all the global activities. After school, I always go to the office for one hour. My father and the other employees update me at this time on the day’s happenings. My mother on the other hand, ensures that I maintain my humble nature.

Q: What do you intend to accomplish at Plant for the Planet?

FF: The goal is to plant a trillion trees in the world, which translates to about 150 trees per person. This alone will help absorb one quarter of all the carbon dioxide emitted into the air.

Q: What career path do you plan on taking when you grow up?

FF: I am 15 years old now and toying with the idea of getting into either politics or law. I’ll decide later on when I am 18.

Q: In your own words, how would you describe yourself?

FF:  I am outspoken, and get involved passionately in whatever I have put my mind to. I am also humbled by my experiences.