The Journey of Basiru Jaye: A Local Leader in Climate Action

A Wake-Up Call From Home

For Basiru, the path to sustainability wasn’t lit by grand theories or lofty ideals. It started, instead, with discomfort.

“Living in Banjul,” he recalls, “I started noticing things shifting in real, everyday ways. Floodwaters reaching places they never used to, heat that didn’t feel normal. Conversations among neighbors quietly acknowledged: ‘this isn’t how things used to be.’”

What many might have brushed off as a passing anomaly, Basiru internalized as a call to action. He watched families lose their livelihoods to failed crops and shifting tides. He saw young people in his community grow restless, not because they lacked ambition, but because the very ground beneath their future was becoming unstable.

In a world where climate conversations often unfold in sanitized boardrooms far removed from the people most affected, Basiru Jaye represents a different paradigm: the insider who chose to stay, listen, and respond.

“I didn’t grow up thinking I would work in climate,” he says. “But I reached a point where ignoring it felt dishonest. Banjul is my home, and watching home change without doing anything just didn’t sit right with me.”

From Grassroots to Global

What began as personal reckoning soon evolved into professional purpose. Basiru founded the BJ Academy on Climate Action, a grassroots initiative built to do what global institutions often fail to do: empower communities with knowledge, agency, and voice.

The academy has since become a vital platform for climate education and youth engagement in The Gambia. It offers workshops, local dialogues, and community-based responses to the growing challenges of climate change.

The impact has not gone unnoticed. Through the Academy, Basiru was awarded $15,000 in funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Climate Youth Action Fund, a prestigious recognition of both the urgency and innovation of his work. But for him, the grant is not just about capital; it’s a validation of a bigger idea: that young Africans have the solutions if only they are trusted and resourced.

Bridging Gaps, Building Futures

Basiru’s vision goes beyond mitigation or adaptation. He is building a career centered on systems change, one that confronts environmental breakdown while addressing the interconnected issues of inequality and exclusion.

“I want to be in spaces where decisions are made,” he asserts, “especially on climate, development, and youth. Because too often, those decisions are disconnected from the people most affected by them.”

In an era where African voices are still too often relegated to the sidelines of global climate dialogue, Basiru is challenging that invisibility head-on. His mission is to ensure that communities like his in Banjul are not treated as footnotes in planetary planning but as essential actors, holders of knowledge, urgency, and lived experience.

For Basiru, a better planet is not a slogan. It is a deeply felt ambition rooted in justice, equity, and intergenerational responsibility.

“If I can help shape a future where people and the planet are both protected, not one at the expense of the other, then I know I am doing work that matters.”

The Power of Presence

What makes Basiru Jaye’s story remarkable is not just the scale of his ambition but the clarity of his grounding. He did not wait to be called upon or granted permission. He stepped into the storm, planted his flag in the soil of his own community, and began the work.

In him, we see the face of a new generation of African climate leaders, not waiting for the world to change but reshaping it from within.

And in a time when the future feels increasingly uncertain, the unwavering resolve of people like Basiru reminds us: real hope doesn't descend from above. It rises from the ground we refuse to abandon.

The Ripple Effect of Local Action

Basiru's work is not just about immediate change; it's about creating a ripple effect that inspires others. Each workshop, each dialogue, and each community response serves as a beacon of hope. It encourages individuals to take ownership of their environment and to advocate for sustainable practices.

Empowering the Next Generation

The BJ Academy focuses on empowering youth. By providing them with the tools and knowledge they need, Basiru is nurturing a new generation of climate leaders. These young individuals are not just passive observers; they are active participants in the fight against climate change.

Stories of Transformation

Every story shared within the Academy is a testament to resilience. From farmers adapting their practices to cope with changing weather patterns to students leading local clean-up initiatives, these narratives highlight the power of community-driven solutions. They remind us that change is possible, one small action at a time.

Building Alliances for Greater Impact

Basiru understands the importance of collaboration. By forming alliances with local organizations, he amplifies his impact. Together, they tackle issues that extend beyond climate change, addressing social justice and economic inequality. This holistic approach is essential for creating lasting change.

The Role of Technology in Climate Action

In today’s digital age, technology plays a crucial role in climate action. Basiru leverages social media and online platforms to spread awareness and mobilize support. By sharing stories and successes, he inspires others to join the movement.

A Call to Action

As we reflect on Basiru's journey, let us ask ourselves: What can we do in our own communities? How can we contribute to a greener, fairer world? The answers may lie in our willingness to engage, to learn, and to act.

In this interconnected world, every action counts. Whether it’s reducing waste, advocating for policy changes, or simply starting conversations, we all have a role to play.

Let’s embrace this opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can create a future where both people and the planet thrive.