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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST

A Youth in the Spotlight

46 One of the many special things about this young
environmental activist is his name—Xiuhtezcatl—which is
pronounced “shoo-tez-cat.” On his father’s side of the
family, Xiuhtezcatl is descended from the Aztec people, an
indigenous people of the Americas. His name means
“turquoise mirror” in the Nahuatl [nah-wa-tull] language.

47 Xiuhtezcatl has been in the spotlight from a young
age. After watching a nature documentary as a child, he
realized that what humans do has a profound effect on
our environment. He became involved in a group founded
by his mother, called Earth Guardians. Earth Guardians is
a global network of environmental activists. Xiuhtezcatl
became the youth director of the organization and spoke
out globally to help people understand the youth
perspective on the environment.

Fighting for a Safer Future

48 As part of their work, the Earth Guardians support 21
young people who, as of 2018, filed a lawsuit claiming
that the U.S. government, by not doing enough to help the
environment, is infringing on the rights of young people to
clean air and water and a healthy future.

49 Xiuhtezcatl spoke at the United Nations Summit in
Rio de Janeiro that addressed environmental issues.
He’s also addressed the United Nations General Assembly
in New York. He has put his message to music in a hip-
hop music album he made with his sister, and he also
wrote a book, We Rise, which he sees as a toolkit for
other young activists.

indigenous Indigenous people are native to an area.

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