Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

Why you should listen

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is a member of the Mbororo people in Chad, who face a dire situation: Lake Chad, a water source for 40 million people, has lost 90 percent of its surface area in just 40 years, sparking conflicts along its shoreline. Ibrahim began the first major dialogue among the area's numerous cultures and communities. Together, they are creating a 3D map of the environmentally fragile region to inform conservation and resource management while promoting security.

Ibrahim's work with indigenous communities at the local, regional and international levels gives a voice to the voiceless, inviting governments and the private sector to listen. Her advocacy for Indigenous communities and her commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge with Western science to create a healthier planet has won her numerous honors including the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award. She has also been appointed as a UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, a Conservation International Senior Indigenous Fellow and a National Geographic Explorer.