Tatiana Mueller

For Tatiana Mueller, caring about the climate isn't a passion; it's a way of life.

Growing up amidst the lush, natural beauty of British Columbia and nurtured by her grandfather's Salvadoran-Indigenous heritage, Tatiana's bond with the environment was forged early. This profound connection shaped her into the fervent environmental advocate she is today—a 22-year-old Salvadoran-Canadian deeply committed to sustainability, environmental justice, and climate action. "My grandfather in particular embodies many Central American-Indigenous world views regarding the land,” Tatiana recalls, “and … he played a pivotal role in shaping my ecocentric environmental attitude.”

As she’s grown older, the more she struggles to comprehend that anyone could simply ignore climate change.

“I believe that climate change is a species-defining crisis, and my generation bears the weight of combatting it. Not only do other species rely on our actions during this crucial time, but future generations are counting on us as well.”

Tatiana's journey from a young nature enthusiast to a recognized leader in environmental advocacy is marked by her academic and professional achievements. At Thompson Rivers University, her pursuit of an Honours Geography and Environmental Studies degree is driven by more than just academic curiosity; it's fueled by a genuine passion for the planet. She took on a role with Friendly Composting, a women-owned and operated organization that diverts organic waste from landfills to prevent the release of methane gas as a byproduct.

In her community, there are no government-run compost programs, so Friendly Composting began as a way to fill this gap. Despite being a team of less than 10, Friendly Composting has collected nearly a million pounds of organic waste since 2020.

“I’m extremely proud of that,” she says, “… I have taken every opportunity possible to engage with sustainability and climate action, and will continue to pursue further work and volunteer positions throughout my lifetime. I feel deeply connected to the natural world and have an intense passion towards social justice and equity, which drive my education and action within these areas.”

When asked what she loved most about her role at Friendly Composting, “I got to connect directly to community members about sustainable waste management and climate change in person.” She also acted as the social media manager, and their content, which she researched and curated, is climate change and sustainability-related, “and allowed me an excuse to dive down research rabbit holes!”

Today, Tatiana works as a program assistant with Be The Change Earth Alliance running a Climate Action, Resilience & Emotions program in schools in her community, and will be pursuing a Masters of Science degree at Glasgow Caledonian University next year.

Additionally, Tatiana served as a member of the 2021 Fraser Basin Council's Co-Creating a Sustainable BC program, in which she designed and implemented a sustainability-related project within her community as a group of six local youth. She is also a member of the Fraser Basin Youth Advisory Council, in which she lends her knowledge, lived experiences, and opinions regarding sustainability-related youth leadership programs in my province.

Tatiana's commitment to environmental advocacy and her accomplishments in this arena underscore the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have on their communities and the environment at large. However, her journey is also a reflection of the broader struggle that comes with pushing for change, especially for those who carry the additional burden of fighting for recognition and representation.But like many Changemakers, Tatiana’s journey hasn’t been without barriers. People in marginalized identity groups are often under-represented in leadership roles.

Like many changemakers, Tatiana navigates a world where people from marginalized identity groups are often underrepresented in leadership roles. This reality brings to light the intersection of social justice and environmental action, underscoring that the fight against climate change is also a fight for equitable representation and inclusion. Even with these barriers as a first-generation Canadian woman, Tatiana sees no limit to her impact. “The biggest barrier preventing me from creating impact in the world is the scale that I can reach. While I feel proud of my impact on my local community …, it is difficult for young people to make far-reaching impact without the assistance of a larger organization or actor that can help amplify your voice. The voices of youth are often ignored.”

But she doesn’t just care about her own ability to create change. She leverages her own intersectional identities to help others. “As someone focused on intersectionality and through my lived experience as a Latina woman … unity is a value that is interwoven within my daily life. I believe in fostering community and uplifting voices that are often forgotten.”

Tatiana’s Journey to camp 2030

When Tatiana applied to attend UNITE 2030’s annual Camp 2030 Innovation Lab in 2023, she hoped it would be an amazing opportunity for her to build her network of like-minded Changemakers, and ultimately the opportunity to work on the Sustainable Development Goals to have an impact on the climate. But what she acquired was more than that.

”What I loved most about Camp 2030 was the community. [Having] the opportunity to connect with so many brilliant and passionate young people from around the world has given me tremendous hope for the future. Additionally, this community has connected me with other Changemakers that I can see myself collaborating with in the future. I am passionate about youth action towards a better future, and Camp served as a wonderful opportunity to contribute, hear, and amplify our voices. While the professional aspect of this community is, of course, vital, I am also incredibly grateful for the friendships and joy that came out of my Camp experience. Especially as someone studying/working in the climate space, joy is oftentimes undervalued and I see it as essential in cultivating change.”

Tatiana was recently selected from UNITE 2030’s Ambassador community of 400+ Changemakers to serve as a Counselor for the 2024 edition of Camp 2030, a vital role that requires supporting the next generation of Changemakers who participate in the program to challenge themselves, grow alongside other young leaders, and to learn how to innovate & co-create new solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals.

As a Counselor, she hopes to translate her own experiences and perspectives to the next generation Changemakers in New York this September. She firmly believes that community is best built through listening, understanding, building upon each other, and supporting one another. “Everyone comes into Camp with a unique lived experience and knowledge base, and forming community relies on mutual respect and holding space for everyone to contribute and grow.”

“My biggest takeaway from Camp 2030 was how much hope there is for a better future. Connecting with so many passionate young people and seeing the incredible projects that came out of the innovation process felt genuinely inspiring, and I still carry that energy forward with me today. It enabled me to dream a little bigger, and I'd love to help others move in that direction too. Even just in my experience as a Camp 2030 Ambassador, I've already inspired some of the people in my life to make change, and it fills my heart to be able to spread hope. As a Counselor, I aim to foster this kind of environment by ensuring all Campers feel heard, valued, welcomed, and capable.”

The Counselor role leans heavily on leading by example. With many Campers leaving their home countries for the first time, it can often be challenging for them to immerse themselves fully in the experience. Most don’t know any other participants who are attending, and English may not be their first language. UNITE 2030’s Counselors are a critical asset to ensure that Campers have a meaningful and enriching experience. Their experience as former Campers allows them to carry a unique lens in which to lead by example.

When asked what it means to lead by example, Tatiana says, “pushing myself out of my comfort zone would be essential in creating a safe space for Campers to do the same.” For Tatiana, it might be as simple as leading a dance on Culture Night, (“despite the fact that I am rhythmically challenged,” she says.”) But it also means difficult conversations if they are necessary, even though she says she is naturally inclined to avoid conflict whenever possible. In this lies the true embodiment of being a leader: encouraging others to push themselves out of their comfort zones, even when they, themselves, are struggling to do the same.

Tatiana’s advice to future Campers

“If you’re thinking of applying to Camp … take the leap and just do it! I promise you, this experience is worth whatever sacrifices you may have to make to get to NYC. The project development process, networking opportunities, and professional growth that occur throughout Camp are irreplaceable, and the community you're a part of afterwards is nothing short of awe-inspiring. If you're passionate about making change, give yourself the opportunity to connect with a global community that will inspire and uplift you throughout the innovation process and beyond.