The Next Generation of Climate Leaders: A Conversation with Iowan Hannah Hayes

How One College Student Is Taking on Fossil Fuels, Fighting Climate Apathy, and Leading the Next Generation of Climate Activists

In a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality, young leaders are stepping up to the challenge. One of them is Hannah Hayes, a second-semester freshman at the University of North Carolina and a dedicated climate activist. I had the opportunity to speak with Hannah on the Three Degrees podcast alongside my co-hosts David Thorson and Channing Dutton.

Hannah’s journey into climate advocacy began in Des Moines, Iowa, where she led Roosevelt High School’s environmental club and helped organize Eco Fest, an Earth Day event bringing the community together to discuss climate action. She worked with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, directly confronting MidAmerican Energy and even taking the fight to Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholder meetings, where she challenged Warren Buffett on his company’s coal investments.

Her activism didn’t stop there. She also worked with the Iowa Environmental Council and the Sunrise Movement, a national youth-led organization fighting for climate justice. It was through Sunrise that she found connections leading her to UNC, where she continues her advocacy work.

From Plastic Straws to Climate Justice

Like many young people, Hannah’s early environmentalism started with small, individual actions—she avoided plastic straws and encouraged recycling. But her perspective shifted dramatically after the 2020 derecho, a devastating inland hurricane that tore through Iowa.

“I didn’t even know that was a thing that could happen,” she recalled. “That kind of showed me that climate change is happening, it’s here, and it’s affecting me and the people I love.”

This realization pushed her beyond personal lifestyle changes and into systemic action, recognizing that the biggest polluters—corporations and policymakers—need to be held accountable.

The Fight at UNC

Now at UNC, Hannah has turned her attention to the university’s fossil fuel reliance. Despite being home to progressive students, the university still operates more coal-fired power plants than the entire United Kingdom. The Sunrise Movement at UNC is fighting to end this reliance, but the university administration, appointed by a Republican-led legislature, has been slow to act.

While the administration gives lip service to concerns—acknowledging letters and emails—there has been little real action. Hannah and her fellow activists are strategizing ways to push harder, recognizing that direct pressure from students is often the only way to drive institutional change.

The Broader Political Landscape

Hannah has also witnessed firsthand the broader political forces at play. She’s seen right-wing figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Charlie Kirk visit her campus, drawing crowds eager for their messages. But she has also noticed a troubling apathy among many students, a sense of numbness to issues like climate change, war, and political instability.

This generational fatigue is something activists like Hannah are up against. The challenge isn’t just fighting climate change—it’s convincing others that change is still possible.

Civil Disobedience and the Risk of Activism

Sunrise Movement’s activism hasn’t gone unnoticed. Across the country, fossil fuel interests and law enforcement have cracked down on protests. Laws restricting public demonstrations have made activism riskier. Hannah is aware of these risks but remains undeterred.

“We need to recognize that people who have been fighting for justice have consistently been persecuted by the law,” she said. “These people are fighting for a livable future, and we shouldn’t look down on them for that.”

The Future of Climate Advocacy

Hannah’s future plans include attending law school, focusing on environmental and social justice. Whether through policy or legal action, she wants to continue making an impact.

Her story is a powerful reminder that the next generation isn’t waiting for permission to lead. They are already organizing, already pushing, and already shaping the future of climate action.

As we wrapped up the interview, Channing gave her a piece of advice: “Be a climate change lawyer. We’re going to need them.”

We need more Hannahs in the world. But as Hannah pointed out, we also need more people of all generations stepping up to fight for the planet.

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