Nine-year-old animal and plant lover wins major environmental award

A nine-year-old boy was one of 17 young environmental activists from across the globe to receive an International Young Eco-Hero Award today.

The award recognises eco-conscious young people from ages eight to 16 who are taking crucial steps to help solve environmental problems.

Leo Sordello-Savale, from Camberwell Grove, Camberwell, won the Dr. Mary Griffin-Jones Award in this year’s competition.

This award honours a young person who is taking on environmental activism through art and literature.

One of Leo’s youTube videos, My neighbourhood Rewilding Project results! (Picture: Leo’s Animal Planet)

Leo said: “During lockdown, I was watching a lot of nature programmes and missing nature a lot. 

“We don’t have a garden and there is not a lot of nature where I live, and I was quite lonely.”

“I asked my parents if I could make videos about animals so I can connect with friends who love animals like me.”

With help from his mother, Laurence Sordello, Leo began producing and starring in his own videos, hoping to raise awareness about protecting endangered species and saving the planet from climate change.

Leo’s Animal Planet is a YouTube channel features educational videos about a wide array of animals, from sharks to bees. His project aims to raise awareness about endangered species and climate change and to inspire young people worldwide to protect nature and wildlife.

Since lockdown Leo’s Animal Planet has captured a broad audience of all ages, with more than 1,100 subscribers and nearly 100,000 views.

Winners of the International Young Eco-Hero Award are selected by a panel of independent judges, including experts in environmental science, biology, and education.

For the last 20 years, Action For Nature has recognized 339 Eco-Heroes from 27 countries and 32 American states.

Beryl Kay, president of Action for Nature said: “Leo and all of this year’s young climate champions are proving one thing loud and clear: the next generation of leaders has arrived, and they’re unleashing their power on a global scale to tackle the climate crisis head-on.

“The incredible accomplishments of Leo and our other winners are more than just isolated projects – they’re changing lives and transforming communities for the better.”

Pictured top: Leo Sordello-Savale (Picture: Action for Nature)