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Elijah McKenzie-Jackson

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Elijah McKenzie-Jackson
McKenzie-Jackson, in 2022
Born (2003-12-28) 28 December 2003 (age 20)
London, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
Occupations
  • Artist
  • Model
OrganizationWaic Up Institute
Known forParticipation in the School Strike for Climate
Partner(s)Jerome Foster II (2021–present; engaged 2023)[1]
Websitehttps://www.elijahmckenziejackson.com https://www.emj.earth
Signature

Elijah McKenzie-Jackson (born 28 December 2003)[2] is a visual artist[3] focused on common themes of climate justice, based in London and New York City, known for noting intersectional themes; for example indigenous rights.[4][5] McKenzie-Jackson is co-founder at Waic Up,[6] an organizer of Youth Strike for Climate, and is a United Nations Togetherband Ambassador.[7] He is one of the organizers who started Fridays for Future UK, in February 2019.

McKenzie-Jackson, since the age of 15, has used art as a form of protest as well as organized climate protests across Europe and South America and has spoken at the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the House of Lords, EU Parliament,[8][9][10][11][12] outside the G7 Conference[13] and in the Amazonian Rainforest.[14]

Early life and education

[edit]

McKenzie-Jackson born in Walthamthow, London, lives with his maternal grandmother, Jean Young.[15] McKenzie-Jackson grew up a vegetarian on the grounds of animal welfare, “At 14, I transitioned to veganism, which helped me understand why it can't just be personal change when fighting the climate crisis”.[16] McKenzie-Jackson was inspired to merge environmental activism and when he first heard about climate change in his school, Woodbridge High School, through doing research and watching documentaries.[15]

"I learned a tiny bit about climate change in school. I started watching documentaries, doing my own research, and I got very frustrated. I didn't understand why no politicians were acting" - Elijah McKenzie-Jackson, The Guardian.[15]

McKenzie-Jackson studied Fine Art and Sociology in New York City since 2022.[16]

Work

[edit]

McKenzie-Jackson, in 2023, has been known for his Art focusing on Climate Change[17] as well his commentary on societal issues like the divestment away from fossil fuels.[18] He is the Founder and Head Artist of the civci art innovation: EMJ Earth,[19] where all his art is published.

“In my work, I craft large-scale art installations, paint murals, and curate exhibits that vividly depict the impacts of the climate emergency.”[20]

Mckenzie-Jackson, first public launch of art, early 2019, was with a photo series named “How would you feel?” [20] A self portrait series of intimidated wildlife affected by humanity. This series was a starting point for McKenzie-Jackson’s career and landed a double spread in GQ,[21] at age 15.

McKenzie-Jackson released his first NFT collection,[22] depicting three pictures of clowns. The collection "The Mockery of Money Behind Destruction" aimed to increase public awareness of how the oil industry's revenues are used to fuel the global warming issue.

In 2023, Mckenzie-Jackson launched a painting named: “I <3 Paris”[23] This painting addressed issues of climate change and the Paris Agreement.

Political and social themes

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McKenzie-Jackson is internationally known for playing a leading role in School Strike for Climate movement.[24][25][26] McKenzie-Jackson is a United Nations Togetherband Ambassador for Sustainable Develop Goals 13 & 14.[7] He served as coordinator at UK Student Climate Network[27] and an organizer at the Stop Trump Coalition.[28][29]

Climate Strike sign text used by Elijah McKenzie-Jackson

McKenzie-Jackson first started climate striking on February 15, 2019, in Parliament Square, London.[30] On 20 September 2019, alongside UK Student Climate Network, he managed to break England's national record for the biggest environmental protest [31] with over 100,000 demonstrators in attendance.[32]

Voyage to Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

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In November 2019, McKenzie-Jackson went on an expedition into the Amazonian rainforest,[33] where he learned about social and environmental injustice and he met with well known activists such as the Pussy Riots and Chief Raoni.[34]

Hunger strike against West Cumbria coal mine

[edit]

McKenzie-Jackson in February 2020, went on hunger strike[35] over the proposed first deep coal mine in 30 years[36] by UK Government in West Cumbria.[37] McKenzie-Jackson coined the phrase, "won't eat until new coal mine is scrapped".[38] He ended his hunger strike on Day 10[39] when he was invited into the UK Parliament[40] to speak to politicians about the proposed West Cumbria coal mine.[41] McKenzie-Jackson's 10-day hunger strike triggered actions and protests against the proposed project in Whitehaven.[42] McKenzie-Jackson then, one year later in 2021[43] started his second 10-day hunger-strike,[44] where he gathered 111,475 petition signatures[45] in collaboration with Coal Action Network[46] in order to appeal Robert Jenrick decision regarding the West Cumbria coal mine.

COP27 Scrutiny on LGBTQ+ Rights

[edit]

In July 2022, McKenzie-Jackson and his partner, Jerome Foster II, co-authored a letter to the UNFCCC to call on the United Nations to move COP27 climate summit due to Egypt's "LGBTQ+ torture, woman slaughter, and civil rights suppression" he says[47] after they started looking into logistics of traveling to Sharm El-Sheikh.[48] As McKenzie-Jackson is an openly-public bisexual figure,[49] him and his partner "might be targeted"[47] according to Guardian News.

The letter, which was directed towards UNFCCC Executive-Secretary, Patricia Espinosa, was signed by prominent activists such as Nadya Tolokonnikova, Ahmed Alaa, and Eric Njuguna. The couple are calling the UNFCCC non-action a betrayal of the community and “inherent discrimination.”[50] McKenzie-Jackson emphasized that, “there are better options of countries in Africa that will still include African voices. People shouldn't be cannon fodder for the climate movement. Cop27 will fail if it's in Egypt because critical voices will be left out.”

Personal life

[edit]

McKenzie-Jackson has spoken about his clinically diagnosed depression due to climate grief.[51] He stated in 2023, that art plays a crital role in the processing of his emotions and that painting is his escape.[23]

"It is pretty depressing that young people are essentially forced to organise and lobby for a future. However, I would say I am eager to see real change and action from our so-called leaders. I'd like to see real action, following science, while treating climate change like the crisis it really is.”[52]

Mckenzie-Jackson is bisexual ands has been in a public relationship with his partner, Jerome Foster II, since 2021.[53]

Filmography

[edit]
  • "Whose Future? OUR FUTURE!" Documentary, 2019[54]
  • "Conscientious Protectors: A Story of Rebellion Against Extinction" Documentary, 2022[55]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • "A Bigger Picture" by Vanessa Nakate; Biography, 2021[56]
  • "The Nature of Change" by a coalition of activists; Biography, 2022[57]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Finding Love in the Apocalypse". Atmos. February 14, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "We meet... Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson". Envision Virgin Racing. May 26, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "At COP27, fashion falls out of the spotlight". Vogue Business. November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Sengupta, Somini (September 20, 2019). "Meet 8 Youth Protest Leaders". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  5. ^ "Inspirational Youth Activists Leading Us to a Bright Future". Kidzworld. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "Exclusive – Jerome Foster and Elijah McKenzie-Jackson talk intersectional activism". Thred Website. August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Youthquake 2022: The Activists Shaking Up The World". #TOGETHERBAND. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "50 jonge activisten uit 7 landen hebben eerste burgeractie ooit ondernomen in Europees Parlement". DeWereldMorgen.be. October 17, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "Climate strikers: Open letter to EU leaders on why their new climate law is 'surrender'". Carbon Brief. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "Pierre Larrouturou: "On peut financer la relance sans argent des Etats"". Le Soir (in French). June 1, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  11. ^ "Climate strikers: Open letter to EU leaders on why their new climate law is 'surrender'". Carbon Brief. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "European Call: 3 solutions for climate and jobs". www.euractiv.com. June 2, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Dazed (June 16, 2021). "How protesters defied the G7 summit with a weekend of civil disobedience". Dazed. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  14. ^ Oliveira, Joana (December 1, 2019). "En la selva con la 'generación Greta'". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "'Know how to flex on Insta?': grandchildren and grandparents explain the world to each other | Family | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Carnegie, Megan. "Gen Z: How young people are changing activism". www.bbc.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Desk, Outlook Planet (April 11, 2023). "When Art Focuses On Climate Change". planet.outlookindia.com/. Retrieved May 2, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. ^ "Artist's Shocking Statement Against Gun Violence Hits the US Capitol". Washington DC, DC Patch. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "SPOTLIGHT EVENT: Introducing the optimist's destination for climate action". Business Insider. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  20. ^ a b McKenzie-Jackson, Elijah. "I'm a Gen Z climate activist and artist, and there are 5 reasons I think art can help stop the climate crisis". Business Insider. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "Elijah McKenzie-Jackson's Recent Press". www.elijahmckenziejackson.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Outlook desk, Planet (April 11, 2023). "When Art Focuses On Climate Change". Planet Outlook India. pp. 1–2. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "'I knew there was a possibility of a better future'". Smiley Movement. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  24. ^ "Millions Of Young People Around The World Are Leading Strikes To Call Attention To The Climate Crisis". BuzzFeed News. September 20, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  25. ^ Street, Nathan. "School striker for climate: join the Trump demo". Counterfire. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  26. ^ "Finding Love in the Apocalypse". Atmos. February 14, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  27. ^ "Elijah McKenzie-Jackson: My frustrations turned into action [Climate Generation Talks-10]". Yeşil Gazete (in Turkish). August 23, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  28. ^ "School striker for climate: join the Trump demo". Counterfire. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  29. ^ "Donald Trump's UK visit 'likely to be costliest ever diplomatic trip'". inews.co.uk. May 31, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  30. ^ "Teenage climate-change protesters threatened with arrest in video of Heathrow action". The Independent. April 19, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "'Enough is enough': biggest-ever climate protest sweeps UK". the Guardian. September 20, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  32. ^ Feder, Zahra Hirji, Matthew Champion, Azeen Ghorayshi, J. Lester (September 20, 2019). "Millions Of Young People Around The World Are Leading Strikes To Call Attention To The Climate Crisis". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved April 14, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ Watts, Jonathan (November 15, 2019). "Activists hold climate conference deep in the Amazon rainforest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  34. ^ Watts, Jonathan (November 17, 2019). "The Amazon: on the frontline of a global battle to tackle the climate crisis". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  35. ^ "Elijah McKenzie-Jackson, 16, who began his starvation strike exterior the Homes of Parliament on Monday... desires to cease coal manufacturing on the Woodhouse Colliery in Whitehaven, Cumbria. : worldnews". NetUter. February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ Owen, Brodie (October 2, 2020). "Britain to build first new deep coal mine in 30 years". The National. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  37. ^ "Teenagers Launch Hunger Strikes Against UK Coal Mines". SNA Japan. February 11, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  38. ^ "Schoolboy on climate hunger strike 'won't eat until new coal mine is scrapped'". Metro. January 30, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  39. ^ "Teenage climate activists in week two of hunger strike over new Cumbria coal mine". uk.news.yahoo.com. January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  40. ^ "Elijah McKenzie-Jackson, 16, who started his hunger strike outside the Houses of Parliament on Monday... wants to stop coal production at the Woodhouse Colliery in Whitehaven, Cumbria. : worldnews". The Found News. February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  41. ^ "'It's a Huge Step Backwards': Teenagers Hunger Striking to Stop the UK's Newest Coal Mine". DeSmog UK. February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  42. ^ "Extinction Rebellion protest against west Cumbrian coal mine". ITV News. February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  43. ^ "Teenage climate activists in week two of hunger strike over new Cumbria coal mine". Sky News. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  44. ^ "Teenage climate protesters staging hunger strike over plan for new UK coal mine". The Independent. January 18, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  45. ^ ""Nothing neutral in new coal" - youth activists pressure government to stop coking coal mine". Coal Action Network. February 8, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  46. ^ "Coal Action Network x Elijah McKenzie-Jackson". Coal Action Network. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  47. ^ a b "UN urged to move Cop27 from Egypt over 'LGBTQ+ torture'". the Guardian. July 15, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  48. ^ "The Dangers of a COP27 in Egypt". Atmos. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  49. ^ "Finding Love in the Apocalypse". Atmos. February 14, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  50. ^ "COP27 in Egypt Subjects LGBTQIA+ Climate Activists to Human Rights Abuses". EcoWatch. August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  51. ^ alannah-francis (September 14, 2021). "60% of young people are 'very worried' about climate change crisis, survey reveals". inews.co.uk. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  52. ^ "We meet... Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson". Envision Racing. May 26, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  53. ^ Atmos (February 14, 2022). "Finding Love in the Apocalypse". Atmos. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  54. ^ "Short Documentary "Whose Future? Our Future!"". The Dots. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "Conscientious Protectors: A Story of Rebellion Against Extinction review – XR and the art of protest". the Guardian. July 20, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  56. ^ Nakate, Vanessa (November 2, 2021). A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-358-65450-6.
  57. ^ "The Nature of Change". Crowdfunder UK. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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