Sonya Duggal's EcoVoices Expands Climate Education to 13 Countries

Sonya Duggal, a 10th-grade student at Ardsley High School, launched EcoVoices in April 2025.

The project connects young people across borders through climate literacy and storytelling. Duggal describes the initiative as a youth-led effort in global collaboration. The organization started in New York libraries and has since expanded to Massachusetts and Washington.

EcoVoices now operates in 11 countries outside the United States. These include India, Uganda, Ghana, Peru, Mexico, Indonesia, Oman, Kuwait, Nepal, Morocco, and Afghanistan. Local ambassadors in each region distribute materials and educate youth.

Duggal said her mother’s focus on climate change inspired the project. She wanted to create a space for other young people to participate. The group moves beyond standard facts and statistics. Instead, it allows students to express ideas through creative work.

In June 2025, the Greenburgh Public Library supported the first EcoVoices magazine. The library printed copies and distributed flyers explaining how to submit work. Submissions have arrived from youth around the world. The organization has also distributed more than 200 pamphlets globally.

Duggal noted that the pamphlets are translated into local languages. This makes the climate education materials accessible to specific communities. Beyond print, EcoVoices has hosted workshops. It also created a digital innovation challenge for youth to submit their own solutions to climate change.

Duggal grew the network by contacting global climate organizations. She shared a link to the ambassador application with these groups. She also used social media and email to find interested youth. The project plans to offer more opportunities for young people to become active participants.