Who says you’re too young to change the world?

Vincent Wong, a 24-year-old from Hong Kong, is living proof that age is no barrier to environmental action. Growing up near Victoria Harbour, he watched the shoreline of his childhood transform from a place of beauty into one scattered with plastic bottles, crisp packets and abandoned fishing nets. What others began to accept as part of the scenery, Vincent saw as a growing crisis. Rather than wait for someone else to fix it, he decided to take action himself.

It began modestly—a weekend beach clean-up with four school friends, armed only with gloves, bin bags and determination. What started as a small effort quickly gained momentum. Soon, Harbour Guardians was born: a youth-led organisation dedicated to protecting Hong Kong’s coastline. Over time, they’ve removed more than 15 tonnes of waste from beaches and waters and their advocacy has contributed to stricter anti-dumping laws in the region.

Yet Vincent’s work is not just about collecting waste—it’s about changing habits. He runs hands-on workshops in schools, teaching students how to turn discarded plastics into eco-bricks or transform waste into art. These sessions aim to inspire young people to see waste differently, to realise that prevention is as important as clean-up. By encouraging creative reuse, he’s helping to foster a generation that values sustainability as second nature.

What makes his story truly inspiring is that it hasn’t been driven by vast resources, corporate sponsorships or political power. Instead, it’s the result of community spirit, persistence and a willingness to keep showing up—even when progress feels slow. Vincent’s journey shows that meaningful change is possible when passion meets action.

And as a Green Champion with Tawazoun, I’ve committed to making sustainability not just an idea I talk about, but a practice I live by—through mindful habits, sharing stories that inspire, and encouraging others to take their own first steps. That brings me to the challenge I’m bringing to you this week: think about your own ‘green hero.’ Maybe it’s a well-known figure, or maybe it’s someone you know personally. Learn their story, share it in your own creative way—whether that’s through a sketch, a short video, a blog post like this, or even just a conversation. Stories hold power, and every time we share one, we light another spark for change.