neela r

Age: 11 | Hometown: petaluma, California


“For the future of everyone.”


Living in Los Angeles near several oil and gas wells, Zubayr is unfortunately no stranger to fossil fuel pollution. Zubayr loves to spend time with his older brother Muaawiyah at Kenneth Hanh Park, which is about five miles from their home. The park is next to an oil field, which experienced an oil leak in 2021 and threatened residents' health due to harmful contaminants released into the air and water. Rising temperatures from climate change have increased mosquitos in the area where Zubayr lives – so bad that a bite caused him to seek medical attention. Zubayr oftentimes feels anger and sadness when he thinks about fossil fuels increasing in the future and impacting his quality of life.