Our Power, Our Planet: Highlights from the ISEC Cameroon World Earth Day Webinar 2026
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On Wednesday, April 22, 2026 — World Earth Day — the International Student Environmental Coalition (ISEC) Cameroon brought together students, educators, sustainability advocates, and environmental enthusiasts from across the country for a powerful online gathering on Google Meet. Under the theme "Our Power, Our Planet," the 90-minute webinar was a spirited blend of expert knowledge, community storytelling, and a collective call to action. It was, in every sense, an evening that reminded us why environmental advocacy cannot wait.
From 7:00 to 8:30 PM (WAT), four passionate speakers took the floor to tackle three urgent topics: the state of our planet, sustainable living, and youth-led community impact. What followed was an evening that moved hearts, challenged minds, and left participants inspired to act.
Setting the Stage: A Welcome Rooted in Purpose
The webinar opened with a warm welcome by Ms. Merilyn, who skilfully introduced both ISEC Cameroon and the significance of World Earth Day. Founded in 2016, ISEC is now present in 32 countries globally, running more than 100 programs and campaigns that have reached over 250,000 young people. From Plant4DPlanet in Nigeria and Cameroon to the Green Schools Program, ISEC's footprint is vast — and growing.
Ms. Ngemukum reminded participants of the roots of Earth Day, first observed on April 22, 1970, when millions took to the streets to demand a healthier planet. More than half a century later, the urgency has only deepened. The 2026 theme — "Our Power, Our Planet" — speaks directly to the conviction that individuals and communities hold the power to shape the future of the Earth through climate action, clean energy, and collective responsibility.
"Every action counts — together, we can shape a healthier planet."
Topic 1: Understanding the State of Our Planet
Eng. Tcheulo Rives | Sustainability Advocate
Eng. Rives opened his presentation by grounding the audience in the language of the crisis. Before solutions, he argued, we must share a common understanding of the problem.
Drawing on data from leading scientific bodies including the IPCC and NASA, he painted a vivid — and sobering — picture of our changing world. The Earth's average surface temperature has already risen by 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. Climate change is not a distant threat: it is driving more frequent floods, prolonged droughts, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns that affect communities across Africa and the world.
The presentation moved through four interconnected crises: climate change and global warming, driven by greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane; deforestation and biodiversity loss, with the Congo Basin — one of the world's most critical carbon sinks — under mounting pressure; and pollution of air, water, and land, which threatens not only ecosystems but human health on a massive scale.
For Cameroon and the African continent, these are not abstract statistics. They are lived realities — shrinking forests, polluted rivers, disappearing species, and communities bearing the brunt of a crisis they did little to create.
"The crisis is urgent — but solutions exist. Our collective action today protects our future."
Topic 2: Sustainable Living — What Can We Do?
Eng. Shalom Tafomba | Sustainability Advocate
If Eng. Rives diagnosed the crisis, Eng. Tafomba offered the prescription. Her presentation on sustainable living was refreshingly practical — a reminder that protecting our planet does not require grand gestures but rather intentional, daily choices.
She organized her talk around the three pillars of sustainable living. The first is waste reduction through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: minimizing what we consume, giving products a second life, and ensuring waste materials re-enter productive use. The second is energy conservation — embracing solar energy and biogas, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and rethinking our relationship with electricity. The third is responsible waste management, both at home and at the community level: separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, composting organic materials, and avoiding single-use plastics.
Eng. Tafomba emphasised that community-level action amplifies individual effort. Participating in clean-up campaigns, supporting local recycling programmes, and educating neighbours are all part of the same ecosystem of change. The message resonated: sustainability is not a luxury for the few, but a practice for everyone.
"Small actions by individuals lead to big environmental impact. Start today for a sustainable future."
Topic 3: Youth Action and Community Impact — A Cameroon Perspective
Ms. Atud Yvette Cecile Bih | Environmentalist| Women & Youth Activist | Climate Researcher
The final presentation brought the energy of the evening to its peak. Ms. Cecile Bih, speaking with the authority of someone who lives this work every day, delivered a rousing case for why young people are not simply the future of environmentalism — they are its present.
She opened with a striking figure: 60% of Africa's population is under 25 years old. That is not a demographic footnote — it is a force of nature. Young people in Cameroon are already driving change through advocacy on social media, green innovation including biogas units and urban gardens, school eco-clubs that teach composting and waste sorting, and community clean-ups that have mobilized hundreds of volunteers in Douala, Yaoundé, Bamenda, and beyond.
Through ISEC and partner organizations, youth-led tree planting drives have put thousands of trees in the ground across the country, from urban centres to rural communities. Digital campaigns and online petitions have amplified environmental messages and held institutions accountable. Ms. Cecile offered concrete guidance to anyone ready to start their own initiative: identify one problem in your community, build a small, committed team, plan a clear action, and mobilize resources — the rest will follow.
• Identify the problem: observe your surroundings and choose one issue to tackle first.
• Build your team: a group of five committed people can move mountains.
• Plan your action: set a clear goal, date, and location for a clean-up, tree planting, or awareness campaign.
• Mobilize resources: partner with local organisations, schools, and businesses.
• Document and share: visibility creates momentum and inspires others.
"Youths are not just the future — they are the present-day agents of change. They have the power to fight, rebuild and protect our Planet Earth."
An Engaging Dialogue: The Question & Answer Session
The formal presentations gave way to one of the evening's most vibrant moments: a lively Q&A session moderated by Ms. Merilyn Ngemukum. Participants came with sharp questions and genuine curiosity. A particularly memorable contribution came from Engr. Harrison, ISEC's Executive Director, whose broad experience and expertise brought depth and nuance to the conversation. His responses reflected the kind of grounded, real-world wisdom that enriches any discussion on environmental action, helping attendees connect the evening's themes to practical realities on the ground.
The session also featured audience poll questions and open contributions from participants — a fitting reminder that environmental solutions are built in community, not in isolation.
Key Takeaways: What We Carry Forward
1. Climate Change Is Real — and It Demands Action
The evidence is unambiguous: our planet is warming, our forests are shrinking, biodiversity is in crisis, and pollution is threatening our health. These are not distant projections but present realities. The responsibility to act belongs to every one of us.
2. Sustainable Living Starts Small
Reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling properly, saving energy, and managing waste responsibly are all within reach. When individuals and communities act together, they protect natural resources and build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for everyone.
3. Youth Are Agents of Change — Right Now
From tree planting to clean-ups, from social media campaigns to school eco-clubs, young people in Cameroon and across Africa are already leading. The tools, the energy, and the networks exist. What is needed is the decision to act.
A Movement, Not a Moment
The ISEC Cameroon World Earth Day Webinar 2026 was more than a programme of presentations. It was a gathering of people who care — students and professionals, activists and engineers, young people who refuse to accept that the fate of the planet is out of their hands.
As we leave April 22 behind and move into the months ahead, the challenge is to carry the spirit of "Our Power, Our Planet" into everyday decisions, community projects, and advocacy efforts. The planet cannot afford for this to remain only a conversation.
"Every action counts — and together, we can shape a healthier planet."
Join the movement.
Follow ISEC Cameroon on social media @ISEC_Cameroon and visit www.isecoalition.org to learn more, get involved, and connect with a global network of young environmental leaders. You can also reach us at cameroon@isecoalition.org.
Author: Harrison Ashangwa
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