When Kevin was in sixth grade, suddenly his heart started acting crazy. He was rushed to the hospital, where he learned that he had heart palpitations caused by smog and air pollution. His health crisis inspired him to become an environmental activist. First, he started an environmental club in his school. Later he started One Up Action, an organization that supports young climate activists from marginalized communities. “I wanted to create an organization that can give funds to young changemakers and help them by providing them with connections and opportunities,” he says. He also created a Youth Climate Commission that is advising the Los Angeles County administration on climate initiatives. “Young people are very, very smart,” Kevin says. “We are not only the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today.”