Young Change Makers Promoting Climate Action: Why and How Daylia Lian of ‘Chief Science Officers’ Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Monica Sanders
Don’t be afraid to reach out for opportunities you want. From my experience with the “adult world,” I’ve realized that people want to help and support passionate youth, however, you need to be an advocate for your ideas and plans. A lot of times, when I had ideas for events, the guest speakers or professionals I reached out to were super supportive of my ideas and they always wanted to learn more about how they could help. Many of them have even given me additional pointers and guidance!
We are standing at a critical juncture in our fight against climate change, and it is heartening to see young leaders rising to this enormous challenge. Across the globe, they are initiating change, voicing their concerns, and catalyzing action toward sustainable solutions for our planet. These young change-makers are not just the future; they are the driving force of the present. As part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Daylia Lian.
Daylia Lian, a senior at Johns Creek High School, is interested in pursuing STEM, particularly environmental science research and policy, and is passionate about advocating for STEM engagement and youth climate action. She is a member of the International Leadership Council of the Chief Science Officers (CSOs) and is also the committee lead for the “CSOs for the World” Focus Committee. In this capacity, she leads monthly meetings for all CSOs, champions STEM and climate action in her community, heads her school’s Recycling Club, participated in the STEM Learning Ecosystems Spring Convening of Practice as part of the CSO International Program, and masterminded the CSO Virtual Youth Climate Summit.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in Johns Creek, GA with two brothers close in age. Since I was young, our parents have encouraged us to be curious and to explore. Our backyard and the different parts of our little “ecosystem” became our playground for hours. My interest in STEM, particularly science, ignited when I was young. I have lots of early memories of running small household experiments or watching them on YouTube with my brothers. Some of my favorites include the classic Mentos and Coke and the delicious Rock Crystals. Since then, I have found myself involved in everything STEM, embracing every opportunity that comes my way!
Is there a particular book or organization that made a significant impact on you growing up? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
The book that made the biggest impact on me growing up was “I Am Malala.” In 6th grade, when I read that book, Malala stood out as one of the first examples of strong women challenging gender norms that I had seen. Despite hardships and the danger that her advocacy prompted, she fearlessly advocated for women’s rights and education. Her story and determination to fight for women inspired me to pursue my dream of making a difference in the world regardless of the obstacles. Thus, I have decided to pursue STEM despite it being a highly male-dominated field and help bridge the gender gap in STEM by teaching girls to code in my school’s Girls Who Code chapter.
How do you define “Making A Difference”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Making a difference to me means doing something to make a change for the better. It can be at home, locally, nationally, or even globally, as long as you do what is within your power and try your best to enact change. I think people often underestimate their own power — as long as you impact even one person, and this can be yourself, you have made a difference. In the beginning, it may seem that what you are doing is insignificant, but no action or change is too small.
Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently working on promoting climate action. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
I’m fortunate to be a leader within the Chief Science Officers program (CSO): an international program made up of changemakers in grades 6–12 who advocate for student voice and innovation in STEM in their communities. The program connects a network of over 1000 diverse STEM leaders in 15 states and 6 countries to amplify STEM in their local communities and worldwide. CSOs implement Action Plans, or community impact projects, to spread their passion and knowledge to their communities in all facets of STEM, including climate and sustainability.
To me, it is critical that we engage the global community and especially empower the youth if we want to solve the global climate crisis. The CSO program connects climate-passionate CSOs through both the CSO climate action focus committee “CSOs For the World” and the “CSO Virtual Youth Climate Summit,” where CSOs from Colombia to the US to India gathered to learn about and share different climate action projects. We believe that climate action has no border, so we want to use our Action Plans to raise awareness for climate action both locally and globally. CSOs across the world have led climate action projects ranging from recycling initiatives to sustainable gardens to climate events and more. These initiatives have resulted in large-scale education and awareness in communities worldwide. Most importantly, we are getting CSOs excited about climate action, and in turn, they can spread that excitement and passion to their communities. After all, small community changes lead to global transformations.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause? How old were you when you made this decision?
In 7th grade, I watched an extremely saddening viral video of a long plastic straw being pulled out of a sea turtle’s nose; the graphic scene of the turtle squirming in pain, blood dripping from its nose, replayed in my head for days. Then, I read an article explaining the prominence of plastics everywhere — in our food, water, and air. Microplastics, minute plastic particles caused by plastic pollution, released toxins into the environment and harmed the aquatic animals, but were not receiving the same public attention. We, humans, are the cause of the increasing amounts of plastics everywhere in the environment — where they are definitely not supposed to be.
Around the same time, I closely followed the growing coverage of Greta Thunberg, who started the School Strike for Climate movement in Sweden. I read these articles in my classroom as she skipped school to protest climate change and urge her government to act. As the movement picked up more and more public support, I realized how big of an impact she was making — other students all over the world were joining her school strikes for the climate. As a youth, I felt inspired to see another youth acting on a cause they felt so passionately about. I wanted to be just like her and help the environment in any way I could. Of course, it would take me a little while to figure out exactly how I would contribute to the cause; through scientific research and youth climate action.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. We don’t always get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
The moment that spurred me from not just caring about the issue but acting on it happened when I read a news article detailing the results from a 2018 UN IPCC report detailing the necessity of reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5C. As I delved into the report, I was alarmed by the irreversible environmental effects of exceeding this limit: drought, catastrophic weather disasters, and mass extinctions. As I dug deeper into Google, I saw all the bleak warnings for the future — pictures of flooded cities, all-consuming wildfires, dried-out fields, and more possibilities. I realized that if our generation did not start acting now, we would be the first generation to experience the effects of extreme global warming and the last generation to remember a healthy planet Earth. Any action would help this urgent situation, and I wanted to help other youth realize that their efforts too would help.
What are some of the things you did, or steps you took to get started?
Some of the first environmental-related projects I did were research projects on environmental challenges and solutions. For my first climate-related event, I helped mediate a session on turning climate anxieties into climate action. This event was the first where I felt empowered to use my voice to spread climate action and climate awareness to other youth! From this experience, I gained the confidence to lead projects and turn my ideas into reality.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
At the very first career seminar I held, I was so nervous I made a bunch of mistakes! I had never presented online, and much less had to do so while managing the Zoom controls. I made blunders ranging from stumbling over words and blanking on my parts to making awkward transitions between guest speakers and even accidentally stealing my partner’s parts. This experience demonstrated that it takes just a little bit of pressure for you to forget what you are saying! I learned that day the importance of preparation, adaptability, and practice. Practice and preparation really are important in any speaking role, no matter how well you think you have prepared or how easy you think it will be to come up with things on the spot. Since then, I have always taken the time to understand my content, practice my parts over and over again, think of strong transitions, and prepare for unexpected situations. However, this experience also taught me that mistakes are an inevitable part of growth and that it is crucial to embrace and learn from them!
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
Along my journey, I have been fortunate to have so many influential mentors and cheerleaders who have supported me and helped me become who I am today. I have to thank many of the members of the CSO International Team for supporting my ideas and joining frequent calls to help me coordinate the logistics.
Among my support network, my mom has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Whenever I have a new idea, she’s always the first one to hear about it and support me in trying to make it happen! Even if it does not go as I planned, she is always the first one to encourage me to try again. She has stayed up with me late at night as I planned events for my organizations, did research and schoolwork, and traveled far distances so I could participate in different opportunities. Her unwavering support, along with that of my other mentors, has helped shape my journey and allowed me to make my visions come true, for which I am deeply grateful.
Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One of my biggest motivations in helping revive our school’s recycling program was a conversation I had with a teacher. I had questioned aloud why the classroom’s recycling bin was filled with trash. Their response was that our school did not do recycling, and if teachers wanted to recycle, they had to take matters into their own hands and take the recyclables home with them. This was inconvenient and had often prevented them from recycling even though they really wanted to. Hearing this, I decided to help restart our school’s recycling program, and we have successfully done so, providing recycling services to all classrooms and teachers. Hopefully, my actions have reduced the burden of recycling placed on them, along with all the other teachers in the school, and they never have to take their recyclables home again!
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
To help combat climate change, one of the most important things that I think society, especially youth, can do is to become educated on climate change and solutions. As more people pay attention to the issue, we will be able to make changes on a global scale, and as the next generation, this responsibility falls on our shoulders. Another step for our society is to reduce our consumption and learn to be more sustainable and responsible. Finally, both communities and politicians should advocate for environmentally friendly regulations and stricter protections that are necessary to save our planet from irreversible damage. If we collaborate as a society to solve the climate crisis, I believe we can make true progress!
Fantastic. Here is the main question of the interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . It pays off to be persistent. People sometimes just need a few pushes and reminders to get things going, even adults and professionals. I have many iPhone reminders and follow-up emails to prove this point.
2 . Don’t be afraid to reach out for opportunities you want. From my experience with the “adult world,” I’ve realized that people want to help and support passionate youth, however, you need to be an advocate for your ideas and plans. A lot of times, when I had ideas for events, the guest speakers or professionals I reached out to were super supportive of my ideas and they always wanted to learn more about how they could help. Many of them have even given me additional pointers and guidance!
3 . To the previous point, take all the opportunities you can (reasonably, of course). You never know what may interest you or what might come out of that call or meeting. I have made it my mission to take as many opportunities that sounded interesting as possible, and I have seen many more projects come out of them.
4 . Questions are welcome. Asking for help should not be embarrassing or shameful. Oftentimes, other people have the answers that can help you. I realized early on that it was okay — actually encouraged — to ask questions. Many of the adults and peers I talked to have much more experience in planning events and doing similar things that aligned with what I wanted to do. Truly, their sage advice has guided me through so many projects and problems.
5 . Make time for yourself. This is probably the most important piece of advice I wish someone had told me when I first started. It is so important that you take a break and find a good balance between work and leisure activities. Find a hobby or do something fun; it doesn’t matter what, just that it is something not related to your work. My guilty pleasures are watching TV shows and writing, which I often do during my breaks from work. Remember, it’s good to step away from your work and rest as you will find that you often feel reinvigorated when you come back!
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
There isn’t much time left for us to reverse the damage of climate change… don’t wait and don’t wait for others to act first! Every effort counts if we want to create a better future for our planet, so take charge in leading the change!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Definitely Greta Thunberg. As I mentioned earlier, she’s such a big inspiration to me and I believe many other youth in our generation felt inspired to care because of her. She is such a great example of a youth who took matters into their own hands and took action.
How can our readers follow you online?
Linked In Daylia Lian
Instagram @cso_international
Website Chief Science Officers
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org
Young Change Makers Promoting Climate Action: Why and How Daylia Lian of ‘Chief Science Officers’… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.