Amanda Costa 2023
For 2023 The Global Presence is honored to celebrate the courageous trailblazing of Brazilian Climate Activist Amanda da Cruz Costa in the arena of Environmental Literacy. Raised herself in Sao Paulo’s favelas, and living there today, Amanda knows intimately the disproportionate burden the global south, and particularly the lower income communities, shoulder for the development practices of the global north.
In order to bring greater balance and representation to the equation, Amanda founded Perifa Sustentavel in 2019. Perifa Sustentavel, which translates to sustainable suburb, mobilizes youth to build a new development agenda for Brazil that is inclusive, collaborative and sustainable.
With a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Amanda’s expanded network includes the Alma Preta Jornalismo, Creators for Climate (Nossas), UNODC Youth Ambassadors, Climate Reality Project, and United People Global networks. She is also an environmental columnist for Agência Jovem de Notícias and Um Só Planeta.
Her ability to articulate the human costs of modern-day development models and propose equitable and sustainable solutions has earned her the roles of Young UN Ambassador 2020, Brazil delegate at the G20 Youth Summit 2021, Vice-curator of Global Shapers HUB SP – a youth community at the World Economic Forum – and Inclusion in Forbes magazine’s #Under30 list in 2021.