DUBLIN — Divyansh Agrawal, a senior from Dublin High School, has gained international attention for his work on climate issues. He was recently named one of the three finalists for the 2025 International Children’s Peace Prize.
This prestigious award, given by the KidsRights Foundation, celebrates young leaders who champion children’s rights globally. Previous winners include Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate, and Greta Thunberg, who has become a leading voice for environmental change.
This year’s award went to Bana Alabed, a Syrian teenager advocating for children affected by war in regions like Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. Another finalist was Aeshnina Azzahra Aqilani from Indonesia, who fights against the export of plastic waste from Western countries to poorer nations.
Agrawal expressed his gratitude, stating, “Being a top-three finalist motivates me to keep doing what I love and to help build a world where we can care for each other and our planet.” His efforts have mobilized thousands of young people across the U.S. for policy-driven advocacy.
In 2021, he founded the Junior Philanthropists Foundation. Since then, he has influenced the passage of 18 environmental bills in California and co-drafted the Global Youth Statement at the COP29 climate conference.
Currently, he is focused on a campaign called “Make Polluters Pay.” This initiative pushes for legislation requiring large fossil fuel companies to compensate for years of environmental damage. Agrawal estimates that this could amount to around $20 billion, calculated from the emissions linked to these companies.
Growing up in Dublin, Agrawal’s love for nature ignited his passion for climate advocacy. He often played in a local park, where he noticed changes over the years. “When I was younger, the creek was flowing well. Now it’s nearly gone,” he said. His awareness of climate issues began early, despite not having the words to express it in elementary school.
An encouraging science teacher and the inspiration from Thunberg helped him realize that young people could drive change. “I didn’t know a student so young could have that much impact,” he reflected. He honed his public speaking skills and embraced opportunities like visiting the state Capitol to advocate for environmental laws. “That was the first time I realized I could actually have an impact,” he added.
Support from his parents and legislative aides has been vital in his advocacy journey. Recently, the Dublin City Council recognized his achievements with a commendation acknowledging his nomination for the International Children’s Peace Prize.
As he finishes his senior year and prepares for college, Agrawal aims to keep the Junior Philanthropists Foundation active and expand his climate efforts. He encourages other students to start their advocacy journeys, saying, “There’s no perfect way to start — just start. Whatever you’re passionate about, take that first step. Paths open up if you keep moving forward.”
His story highlights the impact young people can make today. According to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, 55% of Gen Z believes they can influence politics and social change. The youth voice is powerful, and Agrawal is a shining example of taking action for a better future.
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