Planeteers Team Up with CNN to Guard their Green Space

Elong Ngole Amtrong and his team conducted a stream clean-up at the University of Buea in Buea, Cameroon– bringing young people together and even answering questions to curious bystanders.
Elong Ngole Amtrong and his team conducted a stream clean-up at the University of Buea in Buea, Cameroon– bringing young people together and even answering questions to curious bystanders.

“It felt meaningful and alive. Like planting seeds of awareness even before the trees themselves.” – Emery Cyabashire, Burera, Rwanda

This past October, Planeteer Alliance powered 21 youth-led CNN Call to Earth Day events in Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, and The Gambia. Across these 7 countries, more than 300 Planeteers participated in various climate-related activities and action.  

Each year, Planeteer Alliance teams up with CNN to celebrate Call to Earth Day: a global initiative to raise awareness and inspire action. The Planeteer Alliance awards microgrants to select participating Planeteers to power the cost of their event or initiative.

The theme for the 2025 CNN Call to Earth Day was “Guard Your Green Space,” which encouraged youth around the world to express how they care for and protect their community green spaces. From plastic and trash cleanups, educational awareness, native tree plantings, and artivism, the Planeteer community showed up and showed out!

Elong Ngole Amtrong and his group conducted a stream clean-up at the University of Buea in Buea, Cameroon– bringing young people together and even answering questions to curious bystanders.
Elong Ngole Amtrong and his group conducted a stream clean-up at the University of Buea in Buea, Cameroon– bringing young people together and even answering questions to curious bystanders.
Victoria Benson of Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria brought her community of environmentally conscious yarn artists called the Green Yarnies to ‘Guard Their Green Space’ through environmental activism (beach clean-up) and artivism (crocheting and yarn bombing).
Victoria Benson of Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria brought her community of environmentally conscious yarn artists called the Green Yarnies to ‘Guard Their Green Space’ through environmental activism (beach clean-up) and artivism (crocheting and yarn bombing).
Michael Adefioye from Ogun State, Nigeria collected 520kg of waste at his local river, followed by a native tree planting activity at three nearby secondary schools.
Michael Adefioye from Ogun State, Nigeria collected 520kg of waste at his local river, followed by a native tree planting activity at three nearby secondary schools.
Kaddy Jassey of Farato Newtown, The Gambia led a tree planting exercise with 11 other Planeteers, showcasing how reforesting the soil can protect and preserve our lands.
Kaddy Jassey of Farato Newtown, The Gambia led a tree planting exercise with 11 other Planeteers, showcasing how reforesting the soil can protect and preserve our lands.
EcoXipe and Californios Verdes Planeteer Clubs in La Paz, BCS, Mexico came together to collect trash and clean-up a popular local beachfront. They then discussed as a group how garbage reaches the sea and strategies for mitigation.
EcoXipe and Californios Verdes Planeteer Clubs in La Paz, BCS, Mexico came together to collect trash and clean-up a popular local beachfront. They then discussed as a group how garbage reaches the sea and strategies for mitigation.

Planeteer Leader Renson Nyongesa of Nairobi, Kenya conducted a unique planting initiative at the Nairobi West Prison. In coordination with prison officials and Mazingira Green Hub, Renson and his team of 11 Planeteers sewed 220 tree seedlings– with 20 of them being mango and avocado trees.

Renson Nyongesa in Nairobi, Kenya, middle, helps pour water over a newly planted tree seedling.
Renson Nyongesa in Nairobi, Kenya, middle, helps pour water over a newly planted tree seedling.

Renson expressed how meaningful it was to share the day’s theme “Guard Your Green Space” with the incarcerated population attending the event. Promises were made to sustain these seedlings so that they can not only harvest fruit, but provide opportunities for future economic empowerment.

Adia Uwase, a Planeteer from Rwamagana, Rwanda, shared her experience as a CNN Call to Earth Day host:

“This experience was an embodiment of the theme ‘Guard Your Green Space’ because it prompted us to move directly into the protection of a local natural area,” said Adia.

Adia Uwase of Rwamagana, Eastern Province, Rwanda leads a group of 19 Planeteers in planting and restoring native greenery to a beloved nature trail in her community.
Adia Uwase of Rwamagana, Eastern Province, Rwanda leads a group of 19 Planeteers in planting and restoring native greenery to a beloved nature trail in her community.

Emery Cyabishire’s Call to Earth Day event included meaningful and joyful collaboration with Lake Burera riverbank’s indigenous community.

In an effort to protect Lake Burera’s eroding riverbank, Emery Cyabashire of Burera, Rwanda led 10 other Planeteers in delivering avocado and bamboo seedlings to the indigenous people living on the riverbank. They shared in traditional dances with this community and strategized ways for this community to take charge of protecting their green space.

“We shared ideas, reflected on our role as youth in repairing the planet, and celebrated our efforts through music and laughter,” shared Emery.

“It felt meaningful and alive. Like planting seeds of awareness even before the trees themselves.”

Check out more pictures from 2025 Call to Earth Day on Planeteer HQ’s Instagram!

See Planeteer Ugonna Lucy’s feature story on CNN’s website!