Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is an American environmental activist, youth director of Earth Guardians (founded by his mother), and a hip hop artist. He was born May 9, 2000 in Colorado and raised in Mexico in the native Mexica tradition which teaches that the individual is part of a greater whole. He now lives in Colorado. Earth Guardians train young people from across the globe to be leaders in environmental, climate, and social justice.

Martinez says, "The marching in the streets, the lifestyle changes haven’t been enough so something drastic needs to happen. The change that we need is ... [the] power of young people.” Along with 21 other youths, Martinez sued the U.S. Federal government, arguing that their constitutioinal right to life, liberty and property were being denied by climate change. He’s particiapted in other lawsuits as well.

Matinez has given three Ted Talks so far and spoken in front of the United Nations General Assembly on Climate Change in 2015 — a speech he delivered in English, Spanish and Nahuati. His message: “What’s at stake right now is the existence of my generation.”

His band, the Earth Guardians, records eco-friendly hip-hop tracks such as What the Frack and Speak for the Trees (which was chosen as a Jury Award winner at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

President Barack Obama presented Martinez with the U.S. Volunteer Service Award in 2013. In 2017, Rolling Stone Magazine included him on the “25 Under 25” list of young people who will change the world. And at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, Martinez received a Generation Change Award.

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is certainly an environmental leader to keep an eye on.