NASA Satellite Technology for Global Reforestation Initiative
Project Summary
A team of seven international youth developed a project using NASA satellite technology to identify optimal locations, timing, and species for effective reforestation, creating a data-driven solution to counteract corporate greenwashing and meaningfully address global deforestation.
Detailed Story
Selected by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Angela spearheaded an international climate initiative addressing the disconnect between corporate tree-planting pledges and continued deforestation. Working with team members from China, South Korea, Colombia, Canada, Japan, and other countries, she led the development of a petition, website, and presentation materials for the Global Youth Climate Challenge Lab. The project leverages NASA satellite technology and scientific research to identify the most effective locations, timing, and species for afforestation efforts, maximizing environmental impact. Motivated by witnessing forest destruction firsthand in Houston and similar experiences shared by team members globally, the initiative emphasizes youth leadership in creating interdisciplinary climate solutions. The project actively collects local and indigenous climate knowledge from young people worldwide through online forms and petition signing, creating international pressure on companies making unfulfilled environmental pledges. The team presented their work to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Executive Secretary of The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat in South Korea, with plans to showcase the implemented project at the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) summit in Bogota.
Impact Statement
Created an international youth-led initiative that combines satellite technology with local knowledge to optimize reforestation efforts; presented to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon; established a platform for collecting indigenous climate knowledge; and developed a petition system to hold corporations accountable for their environmental pledges.