In 2021, much of my activism consisted of speaking engagements sharing my activism story and skills in my community and across the world. Two major notable projects were my collaboration with American Girl and NowThis, as well as being published in the book Stone Soup for a Sustainable World alongside 100 other changemakers. I utilized my Instagram platform to amplify the work of MAPA activists, through doing story highlight features, and creating multiple instagram guides. I created additional Instagram guides on local, national, and international climate organizations, climate content creators and pages, and how to take action for the climate crisis. HCASC
I also utilized my Instagram stories platform to spark conversations about important topics among activists, as well as create networking group chats on Instagram through polls.
My activism was all virtual due to pandemic and quarantine. I did a lot of digital striking and content creation.
digital strikes
Activism Archive
I also utilized my Instagram stories platform to spark conversations about important topics among activists, as well as create networking group chats on Instagram through polls.
My activism was all virtual due to pandemic and quarantine. I did a lot of digital striking and content creation.
digital strikes
Activism Archive
October 22, 2021: DC climate strike performer
I performed "The Future of Humanity" on acoustic guitar in front of the Capitol at the D.C. climate strike |
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September 24, 2021: UMD climate strike speaker and performer
I gave a speech about the importance of MAPA in relation to the global climate strike theme and performed "The Future of Humanity" by Claudia Sachs on acoustic guitar
I gave a speech about the importance of MAPA in relation to the global climate strike theme and performed "The Future of Humanity" by Claudia Sachs on acoustic guitar
Big Blend Radio interview about Stone Soup for a Sustainable World
August 19, 2021: I talked to Big Blend Radio about my activism work in light of the release of the Stone Soup for a Sustainable World book release
August 10, 2021: Revolutionnaire Instagram post feature "Meet the young environmentalists changing the world"
August 16, 2021: WeAre8 Instagram feature
Instagram post |
August 9, 2021: STEAMivism conference panelist Caption: Register for STEAMivism to hear from inspiring climate activists @thathannahalper @iris4action @lizasockwell and @maggiewa1sh ! These 4 incredible activists will be speaking about their journeys and advice for other climate activists or students wanting to create change.
July 30: Teen Activist Panelist for Teen Changemaker Conference Caption: Meet our amazing panel of teen activist making a difference from all over the world!✨ To hear from these amazing activists, register for one of our teen activist panel sessions on July 30th!
July 3, 2021 The Community Checkup and The Asian Articles Environmental Activism webinar panelist Caption: The Community Check-Up is hosting an environmental activism webinar featuring Asian climate activists around the world! They will be discussing their experiences within the space, how their cultural background has influenced their work, how you can get started, and more!
January-July 2021: Civics Unplugged fellow class of 2021
For 7 months from January to July, I was part of Civics Unplugged's spring 2021 fellowship program. I participated in weekly group sessions, bondfires, and smaller group and 1:1 sessions to foster community, learning, and growth among civic innovation leaders across the country. Some of my strongest activist colleagues and friends who I am still in contact with today I met from this fellowship and am grateful for the community and network I gained from this fellowship.
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June 2021: One of 100 young leaders featured in Stone Soup for a Sustainable World book
Stone Soup Leadership Institute founding director and author Marianne Larned published Stone Soup for a Sustainable World, spotlighting the stories of activists across the world. I was one of these 100 young activists featured.
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Article from Thrive Global: Climate Movements in a Digital World Caption: This week’s story on @AriannaHuff’s @Thrive showcases Iris Zhan who co-Founded Fridays For Future Digital in November 2019 to support Fridays for Future without skipping school. When the pandemic forced all protesters inside, Iris and FFF Digital united activists online to uplift local, regional, and global climate campaigns.
Hero report: short video about me and my activismCaption: Be inspired by this short video featuring Iris Zhan, whose climate justice journey started locally and led to Co-Founding Fridays For Future Digital, a chapter of the larger organization Fridays for Future, focused on organizing global climate justice strikes online.
@iris4action @fff.digital @sunrisemvmthoco
Hero of the week quoteCaption: #MondayMotivation: Maryland high schooler, Iris Zhan, Co-Founder of Fridays for Future Digital was recently appointed as a member of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade. Through her work with FFF Digital, she empowers students to take climate action by striking digitally, even amid a pandemic.
Hero report: short video about me and my activismCaption: Be inspired by this short video featuring Iris Zhan, whose climate justice journey started locally and led to Co-Founding Fridays For Future Digital, a chapter of the larger organization Fridays for Future, focused on organizing global climate justice strikes online.
@iris4action @fff.digital @sunrisemvmthoco
Hero of the week quoteCaption: #MondayMotivation: Maryland high schooler, Iris Zhan, Co-Founder of Fridays for Future Digital was recently appointed as a member of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade. Through her work with FFF Digital, she empowers students to take climate action by striking digitally, even amid a pandemic.
June 13, 2021: But Society Says video feature "Need for intersectionality: The Experiences of People of Color in the LGBTQ+ community"
June 2021: Featured in a WeAre8 Change Makers film
Sue Fennessy of WeAre8 interviewed me about my activism for a film
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May 2021: Podcast episode with the Creating Change Podcast
- Instagram post soundbite
- Twitter post soundbite
- Spotify podcast episode
- Instagram post about climate change - in this post I used my platform to recommend MAPA climate activists creating change podcast could highlight for climate activists people should follow
May 24, 2021: ClimateScience Olympiad participant
With my activist friend Aishwarya Puttur, we studied and competed in ClimateScience's olympiad with our challenge being facilitating a green recovery from COVID-19 and a just transition to renewable energy in Argentina
With my activist friend Aishwarya Puttur, we studied and competed in ClimateScience's olympiad with our challenge being facilitating a green recovery from COVID-19 and a just transition to renewable energy in Argentina
May 24, 2021: Intersectional Environmentalist and Sierra Club AAPI Environmentalists Instagram post featureCaption: Asian Americans + Pacific Islanders are not a Monolith 🌐💚💭
✨Our intersectional advocacy work is performative if we fail to listen to, learn from, + uplift the nuanced identities + voices within this vast community ✨ Swipe to learn about a few of our favorite AAPI environmental activists 💞 |
April 15, 2021: HoCo Rainbow conference panelist
I was on a virtual panel about student activism and also contributed to the 2021 edition of the Rainbow magazine Caption: We are thrilled to be able to welcome four current HCPSS students for our Student Voice Panel Discussion. “During this discussion you will hear Avery Moe (she/they), Iris Zhan (she/they), Uma Riberio (she/her), and Zach Koung (he/him) discuss the state of student voice. These speakers will discuss what it means to be inclusive both within and outside of activist movements and community groups and how others can take action to uplift and engage student voices. There will be time for audience questions during the event. Please consider joining us!” Our students have so much to teach us, this is sure to be an extremely valuable session!
April 15, 2021: Instagram post spotlight from the Harold Robinson FoundationCaption: Iris Zhan is a junior in high school who co-founded Fridays for Future Digital. Iris began learning about environmental issues at a young age and as she got older found ways to make her voice heard in this movement. Fridays for Future Digital was created because Iris and her friend were not able to physically strike along with other students around the world, so they found ways to show their activism digitally. During the pandemic people have been able to continue striking and putting in action through this digital outlet. The digital striking has evolved to digital campaigns and giving a voice to those who don't have one in the movement. Through all of her work, Iris focuses on environmental intersectionality and makes sure that MAPAP (Most Affected People And Places) is centered in the conversation. Check out @fff.digital to learn more about the digital climate strike and to learn more about Iris, take a look at her page @iris4action
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April 28, 2021 NAACP MD woke to warrior panelist
I was a panelist for NAACP Maryland's "From Woke to Warrior: How to Engage and Take Action for the Environment" event, organized by NAACP Maryland's Environmental + Climate Justice Committee
- Eventbrite page
- Facebook event page
- Instagram bio post
- Instagram event flier post
- Webinar clips Instagram post 1
- Webinar clips Instagram post 2
- Webinar quote clip on Twitter
- NAACP MD ECJ website
April 26, 2021 Climate Tracker: TikTok opens doors for climate activists amid Covid-19 - climatetracker
I spoke about how Tik Tok has been utilized for the digital climate work of FFF Digital
I spoke about how Tik Tok has been utilized for the digital climate work of FFF Digital
April 23, 2021 Restless Development: Climate Change Responsibility and Representation: Young Climate Leaders discuss
Up until May 2021, I was a Mock COP team volunteer who helped represent Mock COP's goals in a few media pieces like these, as well as helping with social media, outreach, and was part of the campaign to implement the Mock COP treaty in the U.S.
Up until May 2021, I was a Mock COP team volunteer who helped represent Mock COP's goals in a few media pieces like these, as well as helping with social media, outreach, and was part of the campaign to implement the Mock COP treaty in the U.S.
April 22, 2021 Mock COP team member
I edited this video to promote Mock COP's crowdfunding campaign for virtual reality storytelling project at COP26Caption: 330 youth delegates who represented 140 countries came together at the end of 2020 for our #FortheYouthBytheYouth online Mock COP26. Our conference culminated with a global treaty to world leaders with 18 ambitious, yet realistic policies. We are currently building momentum through a VR Project that will give an immersive experience, showcasing the daily lives of youth living at the frontlines of the climate and ecological crisis.
✨SUPPORT US✨ by donating to bring our climate stories to the world at www.mockcop.org/crowdfunder
I edited this video to promote Mock COP's crowdfunding campaign for virtual reality storytelling project at COP26Caption: 330 youth delegates who represented 140 countries came together at the end of 2020 for our #FortheYouthBytheYouth online Mock COP26. Our conference culminated with a global treaty to world leaders with 18 ambitious, yet realistic policies. We are currently building momentum through a VR Project that will give an immersive experience, showcasing the daily lives of youth living at the frontlines of the climate and ecological crisis.
✨SUPPORT US✨ by donating to bring our climate stories to the world at www.mockcop.org/crowdfunder
April 22, 2021: Zero Hour Philippines earth day video featureCaption: @iris4action of @fff.digital and @sunrisemvmthoco shares what FFF Digital does and how they started it.
Young people are leading and we will not stop until we get what we deserve. The fight for climate justice and to #RestoreOurEarth continues as we celebrate #EarthDay2021
Young people are leading and we will not stop until we get what we deserve. The fight for climate justice and to #RestoreOurEarth continues as we celebrate #EarthDay2021
April 16, 2021 Zero Hour Philippines local base building and community organizer webinar speaker
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April 10, 2021 Youth Peace Conference session speaker
I found this opportunity and organized a team of FFF Digital team members to create a cohesive presentation on digital campaigning for the conference Caption: We are so excited to announce that the session two presenters at our conference will be Fridays For Future (FFF) Digital!
The FFF Digital team is passionate about the pressing issues of climate change and strive to create environmental awareness through weekly digital strikes, campaigns, and educating others on the effects of a maltreated planet. To learn more about all this amazing youth-led organization does, follow @fff.digital
I found this opportunity and organized a team of FFF Digital team members to create a cohesive presentation on digital campaigning for the conference Caption: We are so excited to announce that the session two presenters at our conference will be Fridays For Future (FFF) Digital!
The FFF Digital team is passionate about the pressing issues of climate change and strive to create environmental awareness through weekly digital strikes, campaigns, and educating others on the effects of a maltreated planet. To learn more about all this amazing youth-led organization does, follow @fff.digital
April 8, 2021: Climate NOW Crash Course webinar ages 10-14
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April and July 2021: American Girl x NowThis HerStory campaign
I was a talent for the Making HERStory campaign with American Girl and Now This. I did some climate activism themed photo shoots with an Iris like American Girl doll, wrote a letter and edited a video about my activism story to inspire young girls, and participated in two panels featured on NowThis and American Girl's website. Many articles and social media posts were published to spotlight this project and our individual stories.
Official campaign website: Youth Activists Empower the Next Generation of Girls NowThis x American Girl YouTube video: These Gen Z Changemakers are Encouraging Other Kids to Stand Up for the Planet This was our first panel, with participation from author of American Girl book "Love the Earth" Erin Teagan and moderated by Lucy Biggers, host of NowThis' One Small Step. Caption: You’re never too young to make a difference. See how @iris4action, @genesisbutler_, and @climateactivist are raising their voices in this Conversations for Change episode. 📣 How will you inspire your girl to share her story and help change the world? 🌎💙 #AGHerStory Official American Girl on Instagram: “17-year-old Iris Zhan has gone from petitions and demonstrations to founding two youth-led climate groups in her journey to inspire girls…” Caption: 17-year-old Iris Zhan has gone from petitions and demonstrations to founding two youth-led climate groups in her journey to inspire girls to change the world. 🌎 To learn more about @iris4action, visit americangirl.com/herstory #AGHerStory
April 8: Making herstory campaign launchCaption: Just in time for Earth Day: part two of our Conversations for Change series! Meet @climateactivist, @genesisbutler_, and @iris4action, young climate advocates who are using their voices to protect our planet. 🌎 Link in bio! #AGHERSTORY Articles:
July American Girl Summer FunFest
For American Girl's 35th anniversary, I was one of a few Making Herstory campaign talents participated in a panel about activism as part of a virtual interactive experience for American Girl parents and children.
If you haven’t checked out Fun Fest, join now at the link in my bio and drop by the theater to watch the Making Herstory panel! #ad #ag35 |
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April 5, 2021: Breakthrough TV US social media feature
As part of their our stories in vivid color initiative, I was one of many BIPOC women and gender nonconforming individuals spotlighted Caption: @iris4action shares with us their dream of an environmentally just future as part of our #DreamGreen campaign! This #EarthMonth, we want to hear about YOUR dream of an environmentally just future. 🌎 We invite young BIPOC women and gender non-conforming youth to share your experiences and dreams of an environmentally just future on our user-generated platform, Our Stories In Vivid Color; our newly launched platform that documents the stories and dreams of young BIPOC women and gender non-conforming youth during this time in history. We’ll send your dream to US lawmakers, calling on them to eradicate environmental injustice and support initiatives such as the Environmental Justice Act for All. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 #OurStoriesMatter |
March 8, 2021: Youth Strike Manchester International Women's Day Instagram post Caption: Happy International Women's Day!
Climate justice is impossible without gender equality and we wanted to dedicate this post to some of the strong and empowered women within the climate striking movement. 💚✨ |
March 5, 2021
Sunrise Movement posted a video featuring of me alongside other young Sunrise leaders in their video "We are Sunrise"
Sunrise Movement posted a video featuring of me alongside other young Sunrise leaders in their video "We are Sunrise"
February 5, 2021: Podcast episode host and editor with Adam Met of AJR and Frances Fox of Climate Live
I hosted and edited a podcast with Adam Met of the band AJR and Frances Fox of Climate Love, where I interviewed them about music and climate action. Caption: 📣🎙New Podcast episode is here!!! In this episode of Voice Of The Youth, host Iris Zhan (@iris4action) interviews Adam Met (@adamajrbrothers) from AJR and Sustainable Partners and Frances Fox (@frxncesfox) from Climate Live and Fridays For Future. They discuss the role of music and musicians in the climate movement, Adam's and France's initiatives, and how you can support them. Don't sit this wonderful, fun and informative conversation out! 💖 |
January 27 2021
As one of 100 young heroes to be featured in Stone Soup Leadership Institute's book on sustainability leaders, I was quoted in a video about the young heroes fund
As one of 100 young heroes to be featured in Stone Soup Leadership Institute's book on sustainability leaders, I was quoted in a video about the young heroes fund
January-August 2021: First cohort member of the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN ocean decade
I was selected to be part of Heirs To Our Oceans' first cohort for the U.S. Youth Advisory Council for the UN ocean decade. I joined the social media team and was a graphic designer and twitter manager for the US YAC UNOD twitter account.
Tweets I helped design and post
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January 11, 2021: Climate education: BIPOC edition Caption: climate education now! this time featuring the work of BIPOC 💁🏻♀️
decided to make this post because i’ve become more aware of how conversations around the climate crisis are centered on white voices. though these are valid, BIPOC voices are crucial in achieving social and climate justice and deserve just as much recognition and respect as our white counterparts. time to dismantle the white savior narrative within the climate movement!!! happy learning!!! 🥳 |
January 10, 2021 Article in Thrive Global: The Unexpected Positive of COVID 19