Joe Rajapaksha is an 11-year-old climate campaigner and author, with a powerful message: no one is too young to make a difference. Inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries at the age of six, Joe has dedicated his young life to protecting the natural world—combining education, activism, and storytelling to ignite environmental action in children and adults alike.
Through his award-winning work as a climate campaigner and author, Joe has reached audiences across the UK and beyond. From Parliament to classrooms, YouTube to community events, his mission is clear: empower the next generation to understand, care for, and defend the Earth’s fragile ecosystems.
In 2020, Joe launched ‘Science with Joe’—an educational YouTube channel demystifying science, animals, and environmental conservation. Now with over 100 episodes and a growing global following, the channel breaks down complex topics into fun, accessible learning for all ages, and has since expanded to other social media channels to reach and inspire even more young minds around the world.
After urging his MP to make climate change a compulsory school subject, his campaign received responses from both Parliament and the UK government and was featured on BBC South Today and Newsround. He continues to challenge delays in critical climate policies, writing to all major political parties to demand urgent action for a cleaner, safer future.
Joe has written and published four children’s books—with two more on the way—all
focused on environmental and conservation issues.
• The Changing World: Set on the African savannah, this book introduces children to climate change in a simple, engaging way. It is dedicated to Sir David Attenborough, who personally sent Joe a handwritten thank you note.
• Bee Friendly: A deep dive into the world of pollinators, highlighting the threats they face and how to protect them.
• The UK’s Amazing Animals: In collaboration with wildlife photographer Zak Penney, this book showcases twelve iconic British animals, their habitats, and the conservation steps needed to protect them.
• The Poisoned Blue: Focuses on plastic pollution, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and other threats to marine ecosystems.
All books are available on Amazon.co.uk, and proceeds go directly to four environmental charities. Whether delivering interactive talks in schools, presenting to eco clubs and scout groups, or engaging audiences at local markets and fairs, Joe’s sessions leave listeners informed, motivated, and ready to act. He covers topics from plastic pollution to pollinator protection, tailoring his approach for different ages to make environmentalism both relatable and actionable.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are; you can still make a difference and it is all for our planet, no matter how big or small.” — Joe Rajapaksha BCyA
