Sreyas Sajeevan (he/him)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

Education is a powerful tool for inspiring change and building sustainable, equitable communities. Working as a Programme Officer at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), I design and implement school and youth programmes that connect environmental learning with local action. Programmes blend traditional Indian ecological wisdom, storytelling, and activity-based learning to make environmental education creative and accessible. Youth-led initiatives such as clean-up drives, street plays, and sustainability campaigns strengthen civic participation and environmental stewardship.

In addition to my core role, I serve as the National Operator for the Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes in India, part of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) network. Through these initiatives, over  300+ schools, 1,000+ educators, and 150,000+ students in 21 cities across 18 states are supported to lead projects on climate action, waste reduction, biodiversity conservation, community services, and many more green initiatives.

Programmes integrate storytelling, gamified learning, and community engagement to turn awareness into impact. More than 3500+ youth have been trained in climate literacy, SDG 2030, and communication—many now mentoring others, creating a ripple effect of change. Environmental education, to me, is about building collective responsibility and empowering communities to act for a just and resilient future.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

My journey into environmental education began not in a classroom, but in the community. Growing up surrounded by India’s rich biodiversity and witnessing its gradual loss, I realized how deeply people and nature are connected—and how education could rebuild that weakened bond. Volunteering for various campaigns first opened my eyes to youth power in action.

During my Master's program in Environmental Science, I collaborated with sanitation workers to raise awareness about occupational health and dignity. That experience grounded my belief that sustainability must include everyone, especially those often left out of the conversation.

My early career as a Health, Safety, and Environment Officer deepened my understanding of environmental justice and community resilience. Transitioning to environmental education allowed me to merge that practical experience with my passion for empowering others.

Today, as part of the Centre for Environment Education, I design inclusive programmes that help educators and youth turn learning into action. Every project reminds me that change doesn’t start with big policies—it starts with people learning, reflecting, and taking small steps together. My inspiration continues to come from the communities and young people who prove daily that education can transform our collective future.

How can people learn more about or support your work?

You can learn more about my work and journey through LinkedIn and Instagram, where I share stories of impact from the ground—educators inspiring young minds, students leading change, and communities taking climate action. As a storyteller and educator, I use these platforms to amplify voices from the grassroots, connecting environmental learning with real-world impact.

We’ve reached a point where awareness is no longer the main challenge—everyone knows what needs to be done. Now, it’s time to act. My work focuses on translating awareness into meaningful action through education, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives.

I’m looking for collaborators and partners who believe in empowering educators and youth—the true changemakers—to lead this movement forward. Together, we can nurture a generation that not only understands sustainability but lives it every day.

Follow my journey, engage with our stories, and join us in turning awareness into action—because change begins when we move from knowing to doing.

A Little More About Me

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?
Take responsibility, act immediately, and focus on transforming your habits and attitude. Real change begins with personal accountability and consistent action.

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?
I would be an elephant—majestic, strong, protective, and kind. Elephants care deeply for their community, and I aspire to lead with the same sense of responsibility and compassion.

What song or artist has uplifted you lately?
"Paradise" by Coldplay. Singing it with 135,000 people at their concert gave me goosebumps! I also admire how they use their music platform to advocate for environmental causes, notably during the Music of the Spheres world tour.

Do you prefer sunrise, sunset, midday, or midnight?
Sunset—because endings can be beautiful and always carry the promise of a new beginning.