In September, Planeteer Alliance powered 16 EARTH Summits across 10 countries, engaging over 950 young people ages 10–25 in local climate action.
Each year, the Planeteer Alliance Summit Series empowers young Planeteers to organize events in their communities, bringing together young leaders to explore local climate challenges and solutions. In 2026, the Summits centered on the EARTH element, which represents building more equitable and regenerative food systems, reducing food waste, restoring soil health, planting native species, and protecting and restoring forests.
Selected through an application process, Summit hosts spend four months planning their events with support sessions and direct mentorship from Team Planet. Along the way, they build practical skills in event planning, budgeting, marketing, public speaking, time management, and problem-solving—gaining experience they can apply well beyond the Summits.
“Hosting the Beyond the Hills 2026 EARTH Summit helped me develop important professional skills, especially event planning, coordination, communication, time management, flexibility, leadership, and active listening,” shared Emmanuel Ahishakiye, Summit Host in Nyamagabe, Rwanda, “This experience has positively influenced my future in the youth climate space. I have learned how to bring people together around a shared environmental goal and turn ideas into practical community action.”
Explore the 2026 EARTH Summits below!
Accra, Ghana
Hosted by Nana Akua Dokyiwaa Karikari, the 2026 Ghana EARTH Summit brought together 54 young participants, ages 5–25, for hands-on learning in afforestation, food waste management, composting, and urban gardening. Participants learned to grow gardens at home by planting Veitchia palms in pots, while Heneba Kwadwo Safo, leader of the Buz Stop Boys, led an interactive session on waste segregation and turning food scraps into compost. Of the 80 tree seedlings available, approximately 65 were distributed for participants to plant at home, with seven used during Summit activities. The day concluded with all 54 participants pledging to protect the environment through everyday actions in their homes and communities.
Atlanta, GA, USA
In Atlanta, Georgia, high school senior Maximo Luciani hosted the Atlanta EARTH Summit at the Kendeda Building at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Participants explored the EARTH element, focusing on food waste, soil health, and access to green spaces. Participants toured the Kendeda Building, a certified Living Building that showcases innovative technologies students could see up close. Youth engaged in collaborative projects where they designed their own solutions to an EARTH issue, and developed inspiring ideas like a food expiration-tracking app and a game encouraging children to spend more time outdoors. This Summit equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to take environmental action in the greater Metro-Atlanta community.
Eldoret, Kenya
In Eldoret, Kenya, Ruth Tanui, Kelvin Evans and their team hosted the Eldoret EARTH Summit under the theme “Our Land. Our Legacy.” The event brought together 60 young people, ages 18–25, to explore local environmental challenges and practical solutions. Speakers highlighted the role of youth in environmental action, with discussions on soil health, agriculture, and regenerative farming. Through the “Painting Our Earth” activity, participants expressed their environmental concerns creatively. They also planted 30 fruit trees to support environmental restoration and made 50 pledges to carry their commitment to environmental action beyond the Summit.
Fortaleza, Brazil
Hosted by Maria Victória Pessoa, Maria Educarda Bomfim, and their team, the Young Changemakers EARTH Summit brought together 70 young people, ages 12–23, in Fortaleza, Brazil, to explore mangrove and marine ecosystem conservation. The program combined educational discussions and team challenges with a boat trip through the Barra do Ceará mangroves and Rio Ceará, connecting participants with the ecosystems they were learning to protect. The Summit recorded 47 climate pledges, reinforcing participants’ commitment to local environmental action.
“The Summit reinforced the idea that small individual actions can create meaningful environmental impact when people work together.” Maria Victória Alves de Mesquita Pessoa, Summit Host
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Nengak Danladi in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, hosted the JOS 2026 EARTH Summit focused on youth-led environmental sustainability, specifically in addressing land degradation and practical solutions to local environmental challenges. At the summit, representatives from Plateau State NEWMAP discussed government environmental policies, ongoing interventions, and opportunities for youth involvement in sustainability initiatives. Participants then divided into groups, developed their own solutions, presented them to a larger audience, and received feedback. The Mine-To-Green initiative proposed rehabilitating abandoned mining sites into gardens and vegetated areas. 47 participants signed Earth Action Pledges, which entail planting trees, educating community members, and reducing their use of single use plastic!
Ondo, Nigeria
Hosted by Daniel Olajuyigbe in partnership with TELNET International Schools in Akure, Nigeria, the DACTION EARTH Summit 2026: Compost, Cultivate & Conserve brought together 90 young people ages 10–15 to explore sustainable agriculture, waste management, and environmental conservation.
Through interactive activities and a hands-on gardening demonstration led by a local farmer, participants learned about composting, waste separation, and growing food without chemicals or fertilizers. The summit highlighted how reducing food waste and growing food at home can help create healthier ecosystems. A team quiz, prizes, and take-home resources encouraged participants to turn their learning into everyday action.
Kaduna State, Nigeria
Hosted by Victoria Benson, the Kaduna Rooted Innovation EARTH Summit brought together 72 participants for hands-on environmental learning. During a hydroponics workshop, youth assembled a working system and planted bell peppers, exploring an alternative to traditional agriculture for those with limited land access or degraded soil. An exhibition featuring five artists highlighted environmental sustainability, natural materials, and climate change. Participants made 26 environmental pledges focused on climate-resilient agriculture and soil protection. The Summit’s impact is already taking root, with participants beginning to experiment with home gardening and small-scale hydroponic farming.
“As a young person, this is my first time at a summit like this and it has really sparked my curiosity and motivated me to solve climate change problems in my community.” – Beulah Adyeson, 15, Kaduna State Summit Participant
Kampala, Uganda
Hosted by Julius Dady Kirungi, the Vanguard 2026 EARTH Summit brought together 80 young people for a two-day event focused on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience. Through in-person and virtual sessions, participants developed environmental leadership and teamwork skills and showcased innovative solutions to local challenges.
Youth donated 20 avocado trees and made 40 pledges to protect the Apollo Forest. They also explored solutions including tree planting, urban greening, improved waste management, and environmental education—turning their ideas into action for a healthier planet.
“We may come from different places, but our commitment to protecting the planet brings us together. This summit shows what we can achieve when young people come together, share ideas, and work toward a common goal.” – Emery Cyabahire Ishimo Patrice, Planeteer & CEO of Planet Vanguard
Karongi, Western Province, Rwanda
Hosted by Adia Uwase, the Karongi 2026 EARTH Summit brought together 77 participants to explore reforestation, soil restoration, and food security. Following a youth-led panel on deforestation and soil erosion, participants created community environmental maps to identify local challenges and propose solutions. They then developed and presented campaigns addressing hillside deforestation, soil erosion, and food waste, turning local environmental concerns into actionable ideas for their communities.
Kumba, Cameroon
Hosted by Mbah Calixte, the 2026 EARTH Summit in Kumba, Cameroon, brought together 32 young people, ages 16–25, to explore environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. Five speakers, an interactive panel discussion, and games encouraged participants to examine local environmental challenges and consider practical solutions. Through the Green Promise Tree activity, youth made 47 environmental pledges, committing to action beyond the Summit. A tree-planting demonstration featuring three pear trees offered a hands-on lesson in restoration, with one participant taking the trees home to plant. The Summit encouraged youth to carry this momentum into their communities through tree planting, clean-ups, sustainable agriculture, and partnerships with local organizations.
La Paz, Mexico
Hosted by La Paz Clubs, the EARTH Summit brought together 44 participants to explore native species conservation, composting, and community-led sustainability. A tour of a composting center gave youth a firsthand look at how composting works and why it matters, while interactive games and presentations highlighted the ecological value of native plants and local conservation efforts. Participants developed five group composting plans, including proposals for community composting centers and organic waste collection routes. The Summit also inspired 31 participants to make personal environmental pledges, carrying their learning and commitment to action back into their communities.
Nairobi, Kenya
Hosted by Michael Omondi, the Nairobi EARTH Summit explored climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and food security in Nairobi, Kenya. Following an educational presentation, youth took part in an interactive exercise to practice communicating environmental challenges to older generations in Kiswahili, bridging generational gaps in environmental awareness. Participants deepened their understanding of climate issues, identified barriers to environmental education, and committed to continued conservation efforts in their communities.
Ndemban, The Gambia
Hosted by Hawa EH Sanyang, the 2026 Ndemban EARTH Summit in The Gambia brought together 60 young people, ages 15–25, to address deforestation, flooding, and their impacts on local agriculture. Community representatives shared how these challenges affect livelihoods, while a guest speaker introduced practical techniques for reforestation, tree care, and protecting seedlings from animals and fire. Through group discussions, interactive games, and a community planting activity, participants planted 20 fruit trees, including mango, guava, and orange. The Summit also explored community-led solutions such as reforestation, clean-ups, reducing bush burning, and composting. Looking ahead, organizers plan to establish environmental clubs in local schools and partner with the Village Development Committee to continue environmental education and conservation efforts.
Nyamagabe, Rwanda
Hosted by Emmanuel Ahishakiye, the Beyond the Hills 2026 EARTH Summit brought together 58 participants for hands-on environmental restoration and education. After a guest lecture on the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, youth engaged in Umuganda community clean-up activities, collecting waste and removing plastic litter from the community. They planted 150 fruit trees, and Bana Bags provided 100 biodegradable bags to encourage alternatives to plastic bags and reduce pollution. The Summit’s long-term impact will be felt through participants’ commitments to continued tree care, soil conservation, and future partnerships with other organizations to expand local restoration initiatives.
“[Hosting this Summit] has positively influenced my future in the youth climate space. I have learned how to bring people together around a shared environmental goal and turn ideas into practical community action.” – Emmanuel Ahishakiye, Summit Host in Nyamagabe, Rwanda
Oyo State, Nigeria
Hosted by Saviour Iwezue, the Youth4Forests Regional Planeteer EARTH Summit brought together 81 young people for a two-day event in Ibadan, Nigeria, focused on forest conservation, youth leadership, and green career opportunities. Participants explored the IITA Forest Center, learning about forest ecosystems and biodiversity firsthand. Youth also participated in a panel on environmental careers, a Career Café with professionals and mentors, and a team challenge developing solutions to forest conservation issues. The second day featured a virtual panel with youth conservation leaders from Kenya, Laos, Cameroon, Nigeria, and India, allowing participants to exchange ideas about environmental action across different communities. The Summit resulted in 12 climate pledges and encouraged solutions including community tree adoption, agroforestry, urban green space protection, and organic waste management
“To see a forest like that and be among nature with enthusiasts like me was enriching and mind boggling, and it gave me the urge to want to protect these spaces because we are losing them at an alarming rate.” – Michelle Savage, age 25, Summit participant
Panchang, The Gambia
Hosted by Boccar Sowe, the Panchang Earth Summit 2026 hosted 65 participants, ages 17-25, in the Gambia. This EARTH Summit’s main focuses were surrounding food waste, bush burning, climate change, and environmental protection. Participants engaged in a community roadshow, where youth traveled around Panchang, the Gambia to encourage community members to take leadership roles in environmental protection.
Every Summit is a reminder that young people have the power to shape a greener future. With the Planeteer Alliance, young leaders can transform their passion into action, creating lasting change for people and the planet.
If you are or know a young person between the ages of 10-23 and are ready to take on climate action, apply to join the Planeteer Alliance.