Debbie Buyaki - UPG Champion
Debbie Buyaki wears many hats, with her recent focus being that of a dedicated tree planter. She is the founder of a tree planting and growing project that spans six of the seven continents, resulting in the planting of thousands of trees and earning several notable awards.
Passionate about the environment, Debbie’s commitment has evolved from ecosystem restoration to climate justice advocacy. She believes that the fight against the climate crisis must be approached from all possible angles and fought collectively. Recently, Debbie has been actively engaged in this battle from the legal battlefield, leading a global youth network at Stop Ecocide International. Her work focuses on advocating for the ecocide law to protect the environment from mass damage, providing a deterrent strategy to complement existing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. This initiative has reignited her hope for protecting children, youth, and indigenous communities through legislation.
In addition to her legal advocacy, Debbie has collaborated with the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy to start a podcast titled “Flight Over Nature’s View.” This climate-centered podcast explores various facets of the climate crisis and aims to inspire hope. Her academic background includes degrees in Criminal Justice & Criminology and International Law.