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Building STEM Bridges Across Languages, Communities and Disciplines: Meet Hikaru Wakeel Hayakawa, Climate Cardinals
In honor of STEM month, we are honored to Feature Hikaru Hayakawa, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals.
What is your personal and professional story?
I come from an intergenerational community of activists, scientists, civil servants, and small business owners. Growing up in a multicultural household in New Jersey, I was raised to believe in service and the power of collective action. My interest in STEM and climate science deepened after witnessing the impacts of Hurricane Sandy on my community—it made climate change real and personal. Since then, I’ve focused on making climate action and education more accessible, especially through my work with Climate Cardinals, where we’ve translated millions of words of climate information to empower action around the world. My journey has been about building bridges—between languages, communities, and disciplines—to create solutions rooted in justice, rigor, and science.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
A year abroad in North Macedonia through a State Department program showed me how language and empathy can break down barriers. Later, joining Climate Cardinals at 18 taught me that young people can lead powerful, tangible change in STEM and climate spaces. We started with a $500 budget and a mission to translate climate science—today, we’re the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, and we've expanded our mission to empower youth and non-English speakers to lead climate solutions. That journey taught me that leadership doesn’t always mean having all the answers—it means believing in a mission and building something together.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in making a difference in climate change?
Start where you are—your perspective is your superpower. Whether you’re a student, artist, coder, or community organizer, your insight matters. The best climate solutions come from everywhere because climate change affects us all differently. We need people from every background and every place to be part of this. You know what affects your community the most—and that makes you one of the most powerful people to lead change.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I owe it to my ancestors to speak up for everything they fought for. I come from a community that has poured so much into me—and I want to give back. I’m driven by love: for my family, my mentors, and the communities that raised me. I believe in using what I’ve been given—my education, my voice, my platform—to be strategic, to build, and to contribute to a world that’s more just, more informed, and more sustainable.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
You can learn while doing—don’t wait until you feel “ready.” What matters most are the people you surround yourself with and the purpose that drives you. Find those who care about you and believe in your growth. You can only work with people you don’t align with for so long. Mission and relationships are everything.
How can GlobalMindED support STEM leaders and climate initiatives?
GlobalMindED can help by creating spaces that are inclusive, resourced, and community-rooted. STEM leaders need mentorship, access, and connection. We also need help amplifying youth voices—especially those from frontline communities. By investing in diverse, global perspectives and supporting local-to-global partnerships, GlobalMindED can help equip the next generation of leaders to solve climate challenges from every angle.
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