If it is something that means a lot to you, go for it. PS: Do you have any advice for other teens looking to make a change in their community? If young people do not speak up now about things that affect our lives, then we may not get a chance to grow up, because so many of those in charge are not thinking about the youth and our futures. PS: Why is it important for young people to speak up today? I also hope that the hate that runs through this country goes away. Well, I would hope that by the time I am able to run that our country has fixed this terrible water crisis so many are dealing with coast to coast. What changes do you hope to see in our country before you run? PS: I hear you want to campaign for president yourself in 2044. What are you going to do to make other politicians finally step up so us kids can focus on just being kids? What would be your first question in a town hall like that? PS: Last year, you called on presidential candidates to do a town hall with youth. I have a team of mostly kids across the country that are helping to distribute these filters in their communities. So far we have been able to raise enough to provide the equivalent of over 52 MILLION bottles of water, all without adding a single plastic bottle into the environment. PS: Your clean water fund on Go Fund Me has raised over $325K - and counting! What are you able to use those funds for?Īll those funds are being used to help provide state of the art high capacity filters that give clean water to those that have contaminated water. I know that I am changing lives all across our country. Knowing that I decided not to wait until I grew up to face the problem head-on and offering a solution to those living with toxic water right now. Knowing that I am not sitting around and waiting for the government to fix it helps to keep me going. What keeps you motivated and staying positive? POPSUGAR: You've been fighting for clear water for communities nationwide for years now. How the 2020 Presidential Election Can Change the Future of Our Planet She took some time to chat with POPSUGAR about her continued focus on clean water, her hopes for the future, and her advice for other teens looking to get involved. Oh, and did we mention she's also helping kids get the school supplies they need before classes start in the fall?Ĭopeny is one of four youth climate activists teaming up with Gap for the brand's Be the Future campaign to motivate other young people to raise their voices. She continues to raise her voice by speaking at Black Lives Matter protests, engaging with high-profile politicians, and collaborating with her fellow organizers. For her birthday last month, she encouraged followers to contribute to an ongoing Go Fund Me where she could facilitate the placement of high-quality filters in communities impacted by poor water quality. In fact, with a presidential run in her sights, you could say she's just getting started.Ĭopeny, now 13, is still driven by a strong desire to bring clean water across the country. Five years later, Copeny continues to fight with incredible goals on the horizon. At 8 years old, Copeny, who would become known as "Little Miss Flint," wrote a letter to then-President Barack Obama asking him to bring much-needed attention and aid to the Flint Water Crisis in her Michigan hometown. Amariyanna "Mari" Copeny has been engaged in activism for almost half of her life.
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