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Dominique Palmer

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Dominique Palmer
FRSA
Palmer in 2023
Born1999 (age 26–27)
London, England
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham
Occupations
  • Climate justice activist
  • Speaker
  • Writer
Known forSchool Strike for Climate
MovementClimate movement
Awards
  • FRSA
  • Planetary Health Award (2023)
  • Young Leader, Green Carpet Fashion Awards (2023)
Websitedominique-palmer.co.uk

Dominique Palmer (born 1999)[citation needed] is a British climate justice activist, speaker and author.[1] She is of Jamaican, American and British heritage and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.[2][3]

She began her activism during the Fridays for Future school strike for climate movement and has advocated for intersectional climate action and slow fashion through music, media and policy.[4][5][6]

Palmer has spoken at major climate events and has encouraged young people to "act with urgency and hope" as part of her focus on eco-anxiety.[7][8][9] She also advocates for a concept that she calls "climate joy".[10][11]

Early life and activism

[edit]

Palmer grew up in London before studying political science and international relations at the University of Birmingham.[12][13] Her dissertation was on the intersection of climate change and gender, with a focus on how interconnected identities shape experiences of climate justice.[14]

She has described how her activism was initiated by witnessing the impact of air pollution on her community in South London and through visits to Jamaica, where she observed the effects of rising sea levels on a country that "had contributed little to the climate crisis".[15]

Whilst at university, she became a UK Student Climate Network organiser of the September 2019 school strike for climate.[16][17] She also participated in the #ClimateStrikeOnline campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic[18] and represented Extinction Rebellion Youth on a panel at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid.[19]

Climate joy and eco-anxiety

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Palmer has developed a concept she calls "climate joy", which she describes as a framework for activists to "build hope, resilience and hold on to joy" whilst engaged in climate work, arguing that joy is "sustainable" in a way that fear and anxiety are not.[10][11] She has spoken about the concept at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London [4] and on the TEDxLondon Climate Curious podcast, where she said that "art and culture [are] the only way to change behaviour and society" and that the climate crisis is fundamentally "a crisis of connection and community".[10]

Palmer has also spoken about eco-anxiety among young people — the psychological distress caused by awareness of the climate crisis — and has said that anxiety should be channelled into collective action rather than individualised responses.[7][8][9] Her own hopefulness is grounded not in optimism about political institutions but in "speaking to people and engaging with communities who are doing so much, [people] using so much energy into really shifting things".[15]

Political advocacy

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Palmer has focused on intersectionality, marginalised communities and diversity in the environmental movement.[20][21][22] She has applied this framing in her political advocacy activities – such as encouraging MPs to support the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill in 2021 and the Climate and Nature Bill in 2024 – and opposing UK Government bills such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.[23][24][25]

She co-led the campaign #CleanUpStandardChartered with other Fridays For Future organisers, and called on the company's CEO to "stop fueling the climate crisis".[26][27] Through the same group, she also lobbied US President Joe Biden and US Vice-President Kamala Harris, writing that "women, children, indigenous peoples, people of color [and the] most historically marginalised are the most impacted by the climate crisis".[28]

Palmer appeared on a panel at a 350.org event alongside author Naomi Klein and novelist Amitav Ghosh, discussing climate and COVID-19 recovery[29] and she co-developed a youth ocean and climate manifesto with Surfers Against Sewage ahead of the charity's World Oceans Day summit.[30][31]

Palmer is an ambassador for Zero Hour and for Reboot the Future,[32][33] is an advocate for the #StopRosebank campaign,[11] and is a supporter of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.[34][35]

Intersectionality focus

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As part of her focus on the intersectional nature of the climate crisis,[36] Palmer took part in a New York Times COP26 Hub event with Emma Watson at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Speaking alongside activists Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, she discussed the links between people and the exploitation of natural resources.[37][38][39]

Palmer is a founding member of the Youth Climate Justice Fund and serves on its steering committee.[40] She is also an organiser with the UK Black Ecofeminist Collective and has been a member of the UN Women Feminist Coalition for Climate Justice through Fridays for Future.[41][42] Palmer views ecofeminism as a way to "explore the connection of oppression of women, the patriarchy and climate breakdown", and has said that gender inequality has forced women to bear the brunt of the climate crisis more so than men "as a result of resource allocation, labour divisions and representation in decision-making spaces".[42]

She co-authored and performed Rewilding Dream, a piece combining storytelling about nature, refugee children and climate change, which she performed in UK theatres as part of a Southbank Centre schools project.[43]

Music and activism

[edit]

Palmer uses music and the arts in her climate activism. She is a coordinator of Climate Live,[44] an international youth-led climate education initiative which organises concerts to raise awareness about climate action. In a 2021 Ecologist article about this project, she said that "the race to safeguard the future of this planet has begun. We're not only fighting for our futures, but against the present crisis, [for] those already suffering. We need ambitious systemic change that places people and the planet at [its] heart".[45]

Titiyo Yambalu Felicia Jah (2013)
Titiyo (2013)

In 2022, she recorded a song for Earth Day with singer Titiyo – ahead of hosting a panel at Billie Eilish's Overheated Live climate-focused event.[46][47][48] At the time, Palmer said that "the climate crisis threatens our communities, the air we breathe, animals, and the beautiful planet we inhabit. We must act to safeguard our futures and those already on the frontlines".

She has presented on the importance of the arts for climate action at the Barbican Centre and delivered a workshop with Live Out for the Grammy Museum as part of a #BeyondTheMainstage initiative.[citation needed] She has also spoken at the 2021 Reading Festival[citation needed] and the 2023 Sziget Festival.[49]

Other roles

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Palmer co-founded the Pass The Mic initiative in 2020 with Tori Tsui and Elijah McKenzie-Jackson, a campaign asking influential figures, brands and organisations to "turn the spotlight on to frontline climate activists and those most affected by the crisis".[50]

She has also been linked to the youth council of the communications hub New Zero World,[51] the climate committee of the climate tech platform Ecologi,[citation needed] and the Global Choices network, Arctic Angels.[52]

Alongside Megan McCubbin, Palmer featured in the documentary film Sea, Land and City, which explores biodiversity in urban environments.[53] She co-created an online course on sustainability and climate activism, hosted on the FutureLearn platform,[54] and was named a judge for the 2026 Country & Town House "Future Icons" awards.[55]

Media

[edit]

Palmer is a contributing editor for the Instagram platform "@feminist"[56] and has written for the magazine, Shado.[57] Her support for slow travel has been referenced in Vogue,[58] and her advocacy on slow fashion has been reported in The Times.[59] Palmer also appeared on the podcast Connect to Nature to discuss sustainable fashion.[6]

At COP26, Palmer was interviewed by BBC News alongside fellow activists about the personal meaning of climate change,[60] and also by Sky News on the COP26 summit protests in Glasgow.[61]

She took part in a UCL Health of the Public podcast with Xand van Tulliken to discuss the links between climate change and public health[62] – as well as the BBC Sounds series If You Don't Know[63] – and Ed Miliband's Reasons to be Cheerful podcast, where she spoke about her vision for tackling the climate crisis.[64]

Recognition

[edit]

Palmer was awarded a 2023 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation "Planetary Health Award" and said, on receiving the prize, that her activism focuses on "making sure that marginalised and frontline communities at the heart of [climate] action are listened to and included". Hans-Otto Pörtner and Ecovative Design were also recipients that year.[65]

She was also honoured as a "Young Leader" at the Eco Age "Green Carpet Fashion Awards" in 2023,[66] and has been recognised as one of the leading UK environmentalists by Forbes.[67] BBC Radio 1Xtra has also praised her as a "Future Figure".[68]

Bibliography

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]
  • Climate Carnage: Whose Job Is It to Save the Planet? (2022). Directed and produced by Ekaterina Ochagavia. Distributed by The Guardian. Released 10 November 2022.[70]
  • Sea, Land and City (2024). Directed by Mairead Cahill. Produced by Wonderoom and Rubber Republic. Distributed by WaterBear. Released 16 October 2024.[53]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Taylor, Savannah (2023-04-04). "These young Black climate activists are impacting the planet in big ways". Ebony. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  2. ↑ Hiraide, Lydia Ayame; Evans, Elizabeth (13 July 2023). "Intersectionality and social movements: a comparison of environmentalist and disability rights movements". Social Movement Studies. 24 (3): 344–361. doi:10.1080/14742837.2023.2234828.
  3. ↑ "50 Famous Fellows". The RSA. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  4. 1 2 "Dominique Palmer: Climate Joy and Optimism". Black History Month 2026. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  5. ↑ Francis, Sarah. "Twelve climate activists inspiring us to fight climate change". International Rescue Committee. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  6. 1 2 Ridley, Katrina; Chapman, Amy (18 May 2025). "Why sustainable fashion is an act of rebellion". YouTube Music. Connect to Nature.
  7. 1 2 "'It kills me inside': Activists sound alarm on climate anxiety". France 24. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  8. 1 2 Geall, Lauren (2021-11-02). "COP26 and climate doom: How to deal with feelings of hopelessness". Stylist. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  9. 1 2 Shadijanova, Diyora. "Climate anxiety should be the call to collective action". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  10. 1 2 3 Colter, Josie (2022-11-16). "Dominique Palmer: How to find your climate joy". TEDxLondon. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  11. 1 2 3 "15 Activists To Know About Now". Service95. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  12. ↑ Kia, Kara (2021-04-22). "Dominique Palmer". Pop Sugar. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  13. ↑ "Dominique Palmer". Top 100 Influential People. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  14. ↑ "How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected". UN Women. Archived from the original on 2026-05-14. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  15. 1 2 "A seat at the table". The RSA. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  16. ↑ "Meet the young people of colour fighting for our planet". Greenpeace UK. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  17. ↑ "Climate strikes continue online: 'We want to keep the momentum going'". The Guardian. 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  18. ↑ Lawal, Shola (2020-03-19). "Coronavirus halts street protests, but climate activists have a plan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  19. ↑ "Youth voice their solutions to the climate crisis at COP25". If Not Us Then Who?. February 2020. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  20. ↑ "Climate change: Environmental groups need more diversity". BBC News. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  21. ↑ "'Saving the planet felt like a white space to me'". BBC News. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  22. ↑ Motune, Vic (2021-11-01). "Meet the young black activists leading the fight against climate change". Voice Online. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  23. ↑ "Meet the young people fighting for future generations". The Big Issue. 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  24. ↑ "Labour's plan for the climate crisis: The good, the bad and the glaringly absent". Big Issue. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  25. ↑ Day, Harvey (2021-04-15). "Kill the bill: 'This law seems like a direct attack on us'". BBC Three. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  26. ↑ "Climate protesters gather in person and online for Fridays for Future". The Guardian. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  27. ↑ "Fridays for Future: Standard Chartered must stop 'fueling the climate crisis'". Vice.com. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  28. ↑ "Fridays for Future: Dear Biden and Harris, be bold on climate". news.trust.org. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  29. ↑ "Global Just Recovery Gathering Kicks Off to Harness 'Collective People Power'". Common Dreams. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  30. ↑ "Youth Ocean & Climate Manifesto". Surfers Against Sewage. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  31. ↑ "Youth, Ocean & Climate Summit". Surfers Against Sewage. 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  32. ↑ "MPs in climate and nature rebellion". theecologist.org. 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  33. ↑ "Our people". Reboot the Future. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  34. ↑ "Broad coalition calls for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to meet global climate targets". www.triodos.co.uk. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  35. ↑ "Letter to letter to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about a proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty". Triodos Bank. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "Why young people are centering intersectionality in the climate justice movement". Women's Environmental Network. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  37. ↑ Sengupta, Somini (2021-11-06). "Young women are leading climate protests: Guess who runs global talks?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  38. ↑ "Emma Watson is back being a book fairy for COP26". British Vogue. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  39. ↑ "6 young climate activists on a mission to change the world". HuffPost UK. 2021-10-31. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  40. ↑ "Grants Committee". Youth Climate Justice Fund. 2026-02-23. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  41. ↑ Longdon, Joycelyn (2022-10-03). "Inside the UK's First Black Ecofeminist summit". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  42. 1 2 "The faces of ecofeminism: Women promoting gender equality and climate justice worldwide". Global Citizen. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  43. 1 2 "Thousands of schoolchildren in Newcastle, Sunderland, Norwich, Kendal and London become published writers with Sita Brahmachari" (PDF). Southbank Centre. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "7 UK climate activists fighting for marginalised communities". Bustle. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  45. ↑ "Climate activists act in concert". theecologist.org. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  46. ↑ "Earth Day 2022 brings collab between Titiyo, Paresse and Dominique Palmer". Eskimo Recordings. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  47. ↑ "Billie Eilish to Hold 'Overheated' Climate Action Conference During Happier Than Ever UK Shows". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  48. ↑ Foreman, Polly (2023-08-17). "Billie Eilish's climate event Overheated to return to London". Plant Based News. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  49. ↑ "Sziget Festival: We show you how the programme is changing". Refresher (in Hungarian). 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  50. ↑ Coldwell, Will; Chaddah, Kimi (30 October 2021). "Beyond Extinction Rebellion: The protest groups fighting on the climate frontline". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
  51. ↑ "Climate Justice: What is Possible?". King's College London. 2025-05-13. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  52. ↑ "Arctic Angels taking action for a 10 year Arctic Ocean moratorium". Global Choices. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  53. 1 2 "Sea, Land & City". Wonderoom. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  54. ↑ "Design the Future with Samsung". FutureLearn. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  55. ↑ "2026 Future Icons Awards: Introducing the judges". Country and Town House. 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  56. ↑ "Dominique Palmer – Keynote Speaker". London Speaker Bureau. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  57. ↑ "Dominique Palmer". Shado Magazine. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  58. ↑ Li, Sophia (2022-07-10). "Can You Be A Climate Activist And Still Fly?". British Vogue. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  59. ↑ Dacre, Karen. "Mother of Pearl designer Amy Powney on sustainable fashion". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  60. ↑ "COP26: 'How do I deal with eco-anxiety? I don't'". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  61. ↑ "COP26: Thousands of activists march on the streets of Glasgow". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-16. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  62. ↑ "Transcript: Episode 1: What does climate change have to do with public health?". UCL Health of the Public. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  63. ↑ "If You Don't Know: "Black environmentalists, where you at?"". BBC Sounds. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  64. ↑ Reasons to be Cheerful (25 April 2021). "The dream not just the nightmare: A vision for tackling the environmental crisis". Spotify. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  65. ↑ "The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation's 16th Awards Ceremony for Planetary Health". www.fpa2.org. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  66. ↑ Directo-Meston, Danielle (2023-03-11). "Tom Ford, Gabriela Hearst, Alicia Silverstone Honored at Green Carpet Fashion Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  67. ↑ Townsend, Solitaire. "100 UK Leading Environmentalists (Who Happen To Be Women)". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  68. ↑ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - 1Xtra's Future Figures, 2024, Dominique Palmer". BBC. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  69. ↑ Palmer, Dominique. "Planet Protectors". The Portobello Bookshop. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  70. ↑ Harvey, Fiona; Ochagavia, Ekaterina; Levene, David; Achtelik, Pawel; Topham, Laurence; Gormley, Jess; Poulton, Lindsay; Hanman, Natalie; Guardian, Source: The (2022-11-10). "Climate carnage: whose job is it to save the planet? – documentary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-01-25.

Further reading

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