Vic Barrett

Vic Barrett is a Honduran American climate justice activist recognized for his contributions to the global environmental movement. As a first-generation Garifuna-American, Barrett's activism was influenced by personal experiences with climate change, including the impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York City neighborhoods and rising sea levels near his family's home in Honduras.

Barrett began his climate advocacy as a ninth grader with Global Kids, working to mandate climate education in New York City public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. As a fellow with the Alliance for Climate Education, he attended and spoke at the COP21 UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris and joined as a plaintiff in the lawsuit brought by Our Children's Trust against the United States government, which addressed the government's responsibility to protect the climate for future generations. Barrett also addressed the UN General Assembly during the signing of the Paris Agreement, establishing himself as a youth leader in climate activism.

Barrett was a plaintiff in Juliana v. United States, a lawsuit that challenged the government's role in permitting the combustion of fossil fuels and its impact on constitutional rights. The case, which included appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, was ultimately dismissed. During the legal proceedings, Barrett testified before Congress, including the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and was featured in the documentary "Youth v. Gov."

Barrett has participated in direct actions, including interrupting a U.S. Fossil Fuel panel at COP24 in Katowice, Poland, to amplify the voices of frontline communities. He played a leadership role in the NYC Climate Strike and the People's Climate March in New York City, and has organized local climate campaigns. Barrett has met with international leaders, including the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Maldives, and with former U.S. astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan. He was nominated for a Pritzker Award from the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.

Barrett serves as a network organizer for Power Shift Network. He frequently speaks about the role of storytelling in climate activism and centers intersectionality and justice in his advocacy. Through his work as a plaintiff in Juliana v. United States and as a speaker before the UN General Assembly, Barrett continues to be a prominent voice for youth in climate justice, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in environmental advocacy.