At 16, Alexandra Collins discovered Sterigenics had emitted levels of ethylene oxide (EtO), a known carcinogen, near her Hinsdale, Illinois, community for decades. Her neighborhood's high cancer

At 16, Alexandra Collins discovered Sterigenics had emitted levels of ethylene oxide (EtO), a known carcinogen, near her Hinsdale, Illinois, community for decades. Her neighborhood's high cancer rate (nine times the national average) spurred Alexandra to cofound Students Against Ethylene Oxide (SAEtO) to ban EtO emissions near schools and homes.

SAEtO educates the public, advocates for safer sterilization, and organizes campaigns. Alexandra's advocacy, with allied groups, led to the 2019 closure of the Sterigenics facility near her home. She also launched EtO-Free, a project whose all-girl team created a website reviewing EtO-free beauty products, empowering women to demand manufacturing transparency.

Learn more at broweryouthawards.org.

Shaylan Kolodney, a junior Environmental Science student at Skidmore College, shares her unique thoughts on climate change. Her environmental passion ignited in high school after successfully

Shaylan Kolodney, a junior Environmental Science student at Skidmore College, shares her unique thoughts on climate change. Her environmental passion ignited in high school after successfully campaigning to ban polystyrene in her cafeteria, an effort that later inspired her hometown's sustainable business practices.

Currently, Shaylan researches carbon farming at Caney Fork Farm. She also studied in Bhutan, investigating factors contributing to the rapid dieback of the Himalayan Blue Pine. Deeply interested in understanding humanity's role in the environment, she is driven to make a positive global impact.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to ban the domestic shark fin trade. This action addresses shark finning, a cruel practice where fins are removed at sea and the

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to ban the domestic shark fin trade. This action addresses shark finning, a cruel practice where fins are removed at sea and the shark's body is discarded. While finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins are still traded, often imported from countries with inadequate protections.

The global shark fin trade is a primary driver of declining shark populations worldwide, impacting an estimated 73 million sharks annually. This unsustainable demand has led to over 90% declines in some populations, threatening one-third of species in major trade hubs with extinction. The U.S. ban aims to mitigate this devastating impact.

Music by Adam Lindquist.

Mackenzie Feldman, 23, from Honolulu, Hawaii, founded Herbicide-Free Campus to ban herbicides at schools nationwide. Her campaign began at UC Berkeley, inspired by Hawaii's industrial agriculture

Mackenzie Feldman, 23, from Honolulu, Hawaii, founded Herbicide-Free Campus to ban herbicides at schools nationwide. Her campaign began at UC Berkeley, inspired by Hawaii's industrial agriculture and its impact on land and people. After an herbicide spraying incident at UC Berkeley's volleyball courts, she successfully initiated a campus-wide ban.

A major achievement was the temporary ban of glyphosate across all University of California campuses. Mackenzie has since expanded her efforts nationally, mentoring students, providing resources, and training them in campaign strategy and alternative maintenance methods. She aims for a toxic-free world, protecting communities and ecosystems from harmful pesticides.

For more information, visit broweryouthawards.org. Film by Storyline Media.

Dr. Rolf Halden, Professor of Environmental Engineering at ASU and director of the Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, and his graduate student Charlie Rolsky, an ASU Biology

Dr. Rolf Halden, Professor of Environmental Engineering at ASU and director of the Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, and his graduate student Charlie Rolsky, an ASU Biology TA, discuss societal plastic addiction and how individuals can make a difference.

Charlie researches marine and aquatic microplastics, developing analytical tools and collaborating globally. He also uses non-invasive methods to gather species health information, including hormonal activity. Beyond his research, Charlie runs a non-profit that supports various charities, including plastic pollution advocacy, through the sale of science-themed clothing.

Dr. Halden's research focuses on urban populations' health by analyzing chemical and biological agents in the urban water cycle. His work notably contributed to the nationwide FDA ban on harmful antimicrobial compounds like triclosan. This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Sharks play a vital role in marine ecosystems, but they face a significant threat from the shark fin trade. Protecting these essential ocean predators is crucial for ocean health.

Do your

Sharks play a vital role in marine ecosystems, but they face a significant threat from the shark fin trade. Protecting these essential ocean predators is crucial for ocean health.

Do your part to help sharks. Urge your member of Congress to support a nationwide ban on shark fin trade by adding your name here: https://bit.ly/2JDbGHu #FinBanNow

Meet the hammerhead shark, a species threatened by the global fin trade. Up to 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins.

To protect sharks and our oceans, we must ban the buying

Meet the hammerhead shark, a species threatened by the global fin trade. Up to 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins.

To protect sharks and our oceans, we must ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States. Join the movement to demand a #FinBanNow.

Add your name to the petition: https://bit.ly/2VbNEpN

Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, advocates for a global ban on combustion engines.

For

Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, advocates for a global ban on combustion engines.

For more information, visit Climate One. Details on the event "Exposed: Dieselgate's Impact on the Auto Industry" are available at this link.

In 2016, Claire Wayner and Mercedes Thompson co-founded Baltimore Beyond Plastic (BBP), a youth-led organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution in Baltimore. Inspired by the public health

In 2016, Claire Wayner and Mercedes Thompson co-founded Baltimore Beyond Plastic (BBP), a youth-led organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution in Baltimore. Inspired by the public health impacts of plastic waste, including toxic incinerator emissions and carcinogens leaching from school lunch styrofoam, they sought to address local environmental inequities.

BBP actively combats pollution through school visits, educational workshops, rallies, and legislative advocacy. Having successfully campaigned for a statewide styrofoam ban last year, Wayner and Thompson are now pushing for bans on both styrofoam and plastic bags in Baltimore. They are sharing an award this year for their impactful work.