Checking In With Sage Lenier

Walking Softer Young Leaders Award recipient Sage Lenier is a climate activist, public speaker, and nonprofit leader. She got her start teaching her own program at UC Berkeley, which broke records for largest-ever student-led class. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable & Just Future and was recently honored by TIME Magazine as a 2023 Next Generation Leader.

We recently checked in with Sage to learn more about her background and plans for the conservation and regeneration of the planet.

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WS: Can you describe the core components of your project and how they contribute to the conservation or regeneration of the planet?

SL: Our project, Sustainable & Just Future, is currently working in 12 universities — with plans for scaling — on making climate solutions a curriculum priority, aiming to shift the focus from problems to actionable solutions. By advocating for these changes, we’re helping to ensure that students enter the workforce as informed, proactive climate solutionists equipped to address the ecological crisis.

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WS: Where do you see your project in the next five years? What are your long-term goals for expanding or evolving your work?

SL: In the next five years, we are aiming to be working at a higher level on building coalitions of action, fostering collaboration at a large scale to tackle the climate crisis. I plan to eventually evolve our organization into a think tank and consultancy of sorts. My ultimate goal is to amplify the impact by connecting more people with the tools and knowledge to build a sustainable and just future—whether through direct education, media, institutional change, or collaborations with diverse leaders.

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WS: What advice would you give to other young individuals who want to start their own environmental or climate projects?

SL: Start small but think big. Focus on finding a specific issue you’re passionate about, then look for practical ways to address it. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the climate crisis, but remember that even small actions can ripple out into bigger change. And don’t be afraid to challenge existing systems—you’d be surprised how much you can accomplish with persistence.

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WS: Who are your role models in the environmental and climate movements, and how have they influenced your approach to your work?

SL: I wouldn’t say I have role models, but I’ve learned a lot from entities and authors like Braungart and McDonough, The Club of Rome, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and other leaders in ecological economics and climate solutions. Their work has shaped my understanding of how we can reimagine systems for a more sustainable future.

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WS: Lastly, how can people learn more about your work, and what can they do to support or get involved in your project?

SL: You can learn more about our work at sustainableandjustfuture.org, follow us on social media, or support our efforts by donating.

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Learn more about Sage's work:

Sustainable & Just Future Website

Sustainable & Just Future Instagram