"I was born in Somalia, and I came to America as a refugee escaping from war and turmoil. I understand how climate change is causing and will continue to cause more turmoil, and create even more refugees. We’re already in crisis mode: according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, the number of displaced people is now at its highest ever, even more than after World War II. And in the next 20-30 years, there’s no question that tens of millions of people—some estimates go up to 1 billion—will be displaced by drought and other effects from climate change. The term ‘climate refugee’ isn’t officially accepted yet, but soon it will be unavoidable. 

Somalia, my birthplace, is currently experiencing yet another drought, the second in only six years. We’ve had so much war and so much famine—for all that we hear about extremist threats, the cruel reality is that people are now being devastated by man-made, weather-related calamities. Yes, it’s very personal to me. " - Hawa Hassan

"I am a child of renewable energy, who grew up off-grid on solar power in the middle of the Australian bush, so I can tell you we've had functioning solar technology for longer than most realize. We also collected our own rain water, disconnected from any nearby towns...so I learned to appreciate water as a finite. Emissions from burning coal for heat and energy fuel global warming, and the coal industry uses enough fresh water to meet the basic needs of one billion people! There's no need to keep running with a system that degrades our environment or drains our natural resources." - Jessica Jones

"My family made the issue meaningful for me. My sister runs a farm in Amherst, Massachusetts, and my parents now live in Telluride, Colorado, a tiny town in the Rocky Mountains, both of which will be severely impacted by changing weather patterns. We were a political-debates-over-dinner kind of family, and they always stressed the importance of policy based on data and scientific research. I tookthat ethos seriously: I now run my own explanatory newsletter @svbycleo, and I care deeply about how we interpret and understand data and news. To say we shouldn't act against climate change, you have to ignore the 99.99% of peer-reviewed scientific articles indicating global warming is caused by human activity." - Cleo Abram

"Most people think of global warming when they hear the phrase "climate change," but in reality climate change presents itself in many ways. Flint, Michigan water crisis and Dakota Access Pipeline are examples of how unsustainable manufacturing practices and irresponsible building can profoundly affect the earth its inhabitants. In both of these cases, and many others, communities of color are the most vulnerable." - Ebonee Davis

"The fashion industry is one of the major industries having a negative impact on our climate. Being in touch with decision makers and influencers in the fashion industry we as models are able to voice our opinions where they need to be heard. [Also,] models serve as role models. By acting in a responsible way ourselves we can inspire and influence other people. Through social media channel's we have a great platform. Here we can display responsible behaviour that inspires, share important information about climate change and animate others to join the movement." - Zaina Gohou

"I gave up fast fashion, and am very vocal about why others should too. I started my blog, Model4greenliving, to show people how they can live more environmentally friendly ways, and still lead a modern and fun, fulfilling life." -Renee Peters

"I never thought I was part of the problem and therefore didn’t think I had to be part of the solution. Now climate change, especially as the result of our fashion industry, has become an ongoing obsession that I strive to learn more about each day and translate what I learn to others through my company @ofmodc." - Britt Bergmeister

"We need to start taking care of each other, taking care of ourselves, and most of all taking care of our planet" - Leyna Bloom

"I'm from Dominican Republic, which as you know is an Island, and the Hurricane season now is worse than ever, bridges are falling, roads are breaking, leaving communities with no communication. The other day I read an article about this place that used to be covered in water, now there lies a beach, it really happened over night. " - Austria Ulloa

"Climate change adversely affects food supply. As a nutrition major at NYU, food stability and world hunger are extremely important to me. " -Kouka Webb

"I’m marching today because science isn’t up for debate and we must stand up to climate deniers in office. These power-hungry liars driven by profit & corporate interests are willingly destroying our planet just to feed their insatiable greed!" - Zuzanna Krzatala

" love the environment and our planet and I want the next generations to enjoy that to. To go for a hike, or swim in the clean ocean, or breathe in some fresh air. For me most pressing is the issue of environmental justice. I did an exchange to South Africa, where I took a course on the environment & sociology. It was eyeopening. I learned about the so-called externalisation of environmental costs; how ‘we’ - as europeans & americans - outsource many production processes to countries that have less strict environmental policies" - Nimue Smit

"I march for a sustainable future and sustainable fashion." - Anna de Rijk

"Climate change affects every aspect of the global food supply. This is why I march!" -Gelila Belke

"I flew in just for the event, i even have my suitcase with me." - Willow Hand