Rooted in the spirit of Earth Day 2016 and driven by empathy, science, and inclusive leadership, the POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement has grown into one of the world’s most influential youth-led platforms. Today, it mobilizes more than 2.5 million young changemakers across 130+ countries, inspiring action at the intersection of climate, health, and human well-being.
Established in New York in 2016 by the late Dr. R.K. Pachauri, alongside his son Dr. Ash Pachauri, the Movement was founded on a powerful belief: lasting solutions to the planet’s most urgent challenges must be led by youth. Officially launched on April 22, 2016, Earth Day, POP began as a mission-driven initiative designed to turn concern into collective action.
Now, the vision is carried forward by Dr. Ash Pachauri, Co-Founder and Senior Mentor, together with Dr. Saroj Pachauri, Director and Climate-Health Mentor. Drawing on their combined expertise in behavioral science, global public health, gender equity, and leadership, the duo has expanded POP far beyond conventional climate activism. From its New York headquarters, they oversee a thriving ecosystem spanning universities, AI-powered platforms, global youth festivals, and international policy networks.
What began as a focused idea has evolved into a worldwide youth movement – one that is redefining how the next generation engages with a planet under pressure.
The Birth of a Youth-Driven Vision
The origins of POP are deeply connected to the legacy of Dr. R.K. Pachauri, renowned climate scientist and former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Following the IPCC’s Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, Dr. Pachauri became increasingly convinced that true climate transformation would only be possible if the world’s 1.8 billion young people were awakened, empowered, and mobilized.
At the heart of this vision was a simple yet profound insight: science alone is not enough; it must be paired with empathy and action.
This belief took shape when Dr. Ash, a behavioral scientist and strategic communicator, partnered with his father to design programs that transformed climate anxiety into purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Saroj further strengthened this foundation, bringing decades of experience in global health, youth development, and gender equity from her work with the Population Council and the Ford Foundation. Her perspective ensured that POP would champion inclusivity, health equity, and intergenerational collaboration from day one.
With these complementary lenses—behavioral science and public health—POP officially launched in April 2016, aiming to create a vibrant, global, youth-led ecosystem that bridges climate science, innovation, leadership, and human development.
The Core Pillars of POP
At its foundation, the POP Movement stands on four guiding pillars:
Science – Grounded in the IPCC legacy and evidence-based climate solutions
Empathy – Central to leadership, communication, and behavioral engagement
Action – Transforming awareness into measurable, on-ground impact
Inclusivity – Embedding gender equity, health, and fairness into every initiative
These principles shape every program, partnership, and platform under the POP umbrella.
Resilience in a Time of Global Disruption
Like many global initiatives, POP faced a defining test during the COVID-19 pandemic. As in-person gatherings became impossible, the Movement adapted swiftly. Within weeks, the team launched POP Online Conclaves, a digital engagement model that connected young people across more than 100 countries.
These virtual platforms offered mentorship, innovation labs, leadership training, and cross-border collaboration, ensuring that youth engagement not only continued but expanded.
Reflecting on this period, the leadership shared:
“Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection. When empathy, trust, and purpose come together, even a crisis can become a catalyst for reinvention.”
This moment reshaped POP’s approach to scale, proving that meaningful youth engagement requires flexibility, accessibility, and meeting young people where they already are: online, global, and interconnected.
Turning Eco-Anxiety into Empowerment
One of POP’s defining strengths is its acknowledgment of a growing global reality: eco-anxiety among young people is real. Rather than dismissing or suppressing these emotions, POP transforms them into agency.
Under Dr. Ash’s behavioral science framework, the Movement developed tools that convert fear into leadership and concern into purposeful action. This approach has helped thousands of young people move from anxiety to impact, equipped with skills, confidence, and direction.
From Inspiration to Impact
POP’s influence extends well beyond awareness campaigns. Tangible, measurable outcomes are embedded into its programs worldwide.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, the annual International POP Festival for Youth-Led Climate Action has sparked initiatives ranging from sustainable agriculture to clean-water access and youth-driven mental-health programs.
Across Mexico, the Youth for Climate & Health initiative enabled students to gather air-quality data and present evidence-based policy briefs to local authorities.
In countries including India, Nigeria, Germany, and beyond, POP teams have empowered youth to design grassroots solutions and present them directly to decision-makers.
These efforts demonstrate POP’s commitment to building leadership pipelines, encouraging local innovation, and delivering measurable outcomes.
Global Reach at a Glance
Metric Impact
Youth-Led Initiatives: 2,000+
Countries Engaged: 130+
Institutional Partners: 470+
Learning Hours Delivered: 10,000+
Youth Reached Globally: 2.5 million+
A Distinctive Model: Science, Behavior & Storytelling
POP’s strength lies in its interdisciplinary framework, combining rigorous science with behavioral insight and powerful storytelling.
Key platforms include:
POP Academy – A UN-certified learning ecosystem offering training in sustainability, leadership, and planetary health.
POPPix – An AI-powered climate mentorship platform that uses gamification to guide youth from eco-anxiety to purposeful action.
PLANET-HEAL – A global research-policy interface co-founded with IPN Mexico and the World Sustainable Development Forum, under the patronage of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other global leaders.
Together, these initiatives create a holistic ecosystem that equips young people with data, skills, narratives, and leadership pathways.
Looking Ahead: Defining the Next Chapter
Dr. Saroj and Dr. Ash Pachauri identify several key trends shaping the future of sustainability:
- Purpose-Driven Innovation across industries
- Eco-Anxiety as a Catalyst, not a constraint
- Youth as System-Level Change Agents
- Digital Global Collaboration at unprecedented scale
- Intergenerational Equity, where mentorship replaces hierarchy
These shifts reinforce a core belief shared by the leadership: the era of top-down leadership is over. The future belongs to empathetic, inclusive systems built around youth agency.
Collaboration as a Cornerstone
From its inception, POP’s growth has been fueled by partnerships. Collaborations with UNESCO IESALC, the World Health Organization, IPN Mexico, and global universities have enabled the Movement to scale with credibility and trust.
As the leadership often notes:
“Collaboration is the heartbeat of POP.”
Upcoming alliances with institutions such as the University of Nottingham (UK) and Abu Dhabi University signal POP’s continued global expansion.
Leadership Rooted in Purpose
At the core of POP’s success is a leadership philosophy grounded in humility and service.
“Leadership begins with purpose, not position.”
The POP Mentor Pathway enables youth to evolve from learners to leaders and mentors.
Listening, inclusion, and accountability are prioritized over hierarchy.
As Dr. Saroj emphasizes, true impact emerges when leadership becomes collective rather than centralized.
Impact with Integrity
POP measures success not only through numbers, but through trust, inclusivity, and shared ownership. Every initiative is co-created with local communities, ensuring cultural relevance and long-term sustainability.
Transparency, gender equity, and youth participation remain non-negotiable values across all programs.
Recognition and Global Accolades
The Movement’s influence is reflected in numerous honors, including:
- Prix Galien USA EcoHealth Finalist Award (2025)
- Best Youth-Led Climate Action Initiative, NYC (2025)
- Platinum Humanitarian Leadership Award – IPPDR (2025)
- President’s Voluntary Service Award – IPPDR (2025)
- Mind Health Global Ambassador Award, Oxford Union (2024)
- Honorary Doctorate & Lifetime Achievement Award, MIU (2023)
These recognitions affirm a shared vision: that science, empathy, and youth leadership can redefine humanity’s relationship with the planet.
A Living Legacy
When asked about POP’s long-term legacy, Dr. Saroj and Dr. Ash Pachauri offer a simple yet powerful reflection:
“POP’s legacy will not be measured in institutions, but in inspiration, where sustainability becomes instinctive, compassion becomes leadership, and every young person feels empowered to protect both people and the planet.”
Through locally rooted programs and globally connected platforms, the POP Movement is building a self-sustaining ecosystem, one that ensures youth leadership remains at the heart of planetary stewardship for generations to come.
