Ilhan Omar's 16-year-old daughter is co-leading the Youth Climate Strike
Ilhan Omars 16-year-old daughter is co-leading the Youth Climate Strike
By Eric Holthaus on Mar 13, 2019
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Freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is championing one of the boldest climate policies in America. The Minnesota representative grew up in Somalia before immigrating to the United States as a refugee, so she was able to see firsthand the consequences of drought and make deep connections between climate change and all aspects of human society.
Im one who is urging my colleagues to really take this opportunity to not just issue resolutions and talking points, but for us to actually put a real bill on the table and to allow us to have a real conversation on this issue, Omar recently told Minnesota Public Radio.
But
Omar is not the only environmental influencer in her family her daughter Isra Hirsi, 16, is one of the three youth leaders planning the U.S. component of Fridays International Youth Climate Strike, in which young people will walk out of class in order to call for urgent climate action.
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I had a chance to talk with Isra about how her efforts are already making a huge impact, and how her passion for the environment has influenced her family.
Update: In response to this piece, Omar wrote on Twitter: Proud mom here! I hope other Members of Congress will join me in this strike. We need to listen to the wisdom of our kids!
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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