Jennifer Uchendu
Jennifer Uchendu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 August 1992 Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Education | Covenant University Institute of Development Studies |
| Occupation(s) | researcher, climate advocate, sustainability expert |
| Employer | Utrecht University |
| Known for | climate activist |
Jennifer Olachi Uchendu (born 10 August 1992) is a Nigerian climate advocate, sustainability expert, and the creator of SustyVibes, a youth-driven initiative aimed at making sustainability understandable and achievable for Nigerian youth.
Education
[edit]Uchendu was born in 1992 in Lagos, Nigeria and she obtained a degree in Biochemistry from Covenant University[1] in Ota, Ogun State, and a Master's degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, which is part of the University of Sussex under the Chevening Scholarship[2][3] She has been employed by Utrecht University to research eco-anxiety.[4]
Career
[edit]Uchendu's interest in the connection between young people, women, and taking action on climate change was sparked during her Master's studies, where she explored climate justice, art, youth, and Eco-anxiety.[5] It was also during this time that she began working with ONCA.[6]
Her research into the mental health impacts of climate change has gained her work attention.[7][8] Within her country their is anxiety about effects like flooding although Uchendu has noted that several local languages lack words to describe climate change.[9] Her work highlights the importance of climate change and its effects on health,[10] and she one of the small number of African activists who attended COP26 in Scotland in 2021. She complained that few African activists are able to attend COP events.[8]
Uchendu's The Eco-Anxiety Africa project (TEAP), was founded in 2022 to protect Africans from climate anxiety. In 2017, Uchendu co-authored the e-book: A Guide to Business Sustainability in Nigeria.[11]
In 2022, Uchendu was named one of the 'Top 20 Young Women in Sustainable Development' by Young Women in Sustainable Development[12] and she was named as one of the BBC's 100 most influential and inspiring Women in 2023.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "My Stroll with Jennifer Uchendu, Founder, SustyVibes". HuffPost. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "WorldBeing". www.worldbeing.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Unchendu". IPPA World Congress. Archived from the original on 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu - Utrecht University". www.uu.nl. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu, the Nigerian activist who makes sustainability relatable to youth :: AWE - En". africawomenexperts.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu". O N C A. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ Cottam, Bryony (2022-06-21). "Jennifer Uchendu on founding The Eco-Anxiety in Africa Project". Geographical. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Lakhani, Nina; reporter, Nina Lakhani Climate justice (2022-10-06). "'I have a voice': African activists struggle to attend UN climate talks in Egypt". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Adetayo, Ope (2024-03-11). "The climate cafe helping eco-anxious Africans find hope amid the heat". Positive News. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Agbetiloye, Adekunle (2023-11-24). "Meet the 13 African women named among BBC 100 women in 2023". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Jennifer Uchendu - SNF Nostos". www.snfnostos.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
- ^ "Top 20 Young Women in Sustainable Development". Young Women in Sustainable Development. 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2023-02-20.