Rooted in Heritage, Rising for the Planet: Meet Xiye Bastida

Xiye Bastida is a climate justice powerhouse from San Pedro Tultepec, Mexico. Born to environmentalists, her father is of Indigenous Otomi-Toltec descent, and her mother is from Chile. Xiye blends activism with her ancestral wisdom. Through her Otomi roots, Xiye champions Indigenous principles as solutions to the climate crisis. A former organizer with Fridays For Future NYC, she’s now the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Re-Earth Initiative, supporting frontline youth across 27 countries. She received the UN Spirit Award (2018), was named to TIME100 Next (2023), and recently earned her degree in Environmental Studies and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Did we mention she’s 23?

We look forward to her joining us for Women in Sustainability Week, September 27 to October 4.

In the meantime, I had the opportunity to speak with her and learn more.

When we say climate justice, what are we talking about?

That’s a really important question, and I think it has two sides for me. The first is my lived experience, which has given me insight into how climate injustice disproportionately affects people through pollution, disasters, and harmful policies. The second is historical: how the environmental movement has been rooted in conservation and individual action, often separating people from nature. Climate justice, to me, calls for systemic change. It puts land defenders, Indigenous voices, and those most impacted, like island nations, at the forefront. It’s a more holistic, inclusive approach.

You’ve led significant climate strikes, spoken at the UN, and given a TED talk. What do you consider your most impactful moment so far?

Definitely being the only youth speaker at the 2021 Biden Climate Summit and only one week after I turned 19. I represented youth voices globally, and my speech sparked real conversations in Mexico about our national identity and fossil fuels. It also led to mentorship opportunities, like connecting with Mexico’s first environment minister.

Another example is our regranting program at the Re-Earth Initiative, which redistributes $290,000 to 43 grantees, many of whom had never received funding before. We’re investing in the next generation.

You co-founded Re-Earth Initiative to build a more inclusive climate movement. What do we mean by inclusivity in this context?

Inclusivity means redefining what activism looks like. In the Global North, striking is encouraged but in the Global South, it can be dangerous. Yet, 87% of youth under 30 live in the Global South. So, we create space for all voices through translated materials, multilingual grant interviews, and accessible resources. It’s about making sure every young person feels they can belong in this movement.

How old were you when you took your first conscious steps toward climate justice?

I didn’t think I’d follow in my parents’ footsteps as environmentalists. I wanted to be a vet, then a biochemist. But a major flood in my Mexican hometown opened my eyes. The smell, the polluted water, it wasn’t just theory. It was local. Real. That moment connected my life with the bigger climate story.

What’s the biggest misconception about youth climate activism?

That we’re all the same or that we’re too confident and don’t want help. In truth, we want mentorship. We want intergenerational collaboration. We’re a demographic, not a constituency. Belief in our capacity is the first step toward building a stronger movement together.

You’ve contributed “All We Can Save,” and spoken on global stages. How do you balance storytelling with action?

I use storytelling to connect emotionally, but behind the scenes, we’re organizing, writing policy briefs, redistributing funds, and resourcing communities. Storytelling is a powerful entry point, but real-world action backs it up.

What lessons have you learned from being part of both Indigenous and global youth climate movements?

My Indigenous background grounds me. It centers my mission and gives me clarity. Being part of global youth movements has taught me to be both rooted and adaptable an important mix when navigating complex systems and deciding where to direct support. I always ask myself, what is my mission? What is my center? And I deviate sometimes, like all of us do, when we have all of these conflicting messages and noise, and then you center yourself and come back. I think my spirituality is what gives me clarity and what I know I can come back to any time. And it also is what defines my relationship with Mother Earth.

What advice would you give people who want to take action but don’t know where to start?

If you’re asking that question, you’ve already taken the first step. The next is identifying your skills and finding a reciprocal way to contribute with something that nourishes both you and the movement.

What brings you joy outside of your activism?

My country Mexico. I love the culture, the food, the celebrations. If there were no climate crisis, I’d just be living and enjoying life here. I do this work for joy so that future generations can live with joy instead of fear.

Mexico is so diverse. Do you have a favorite food?

Yes enchiladas. Mole enchiladas, to be exact.

What are you looking forward to during Women in Sustainability Week at Rancho La Puerta?

Intergenerational mentorship and meaningful connection. I hope to learn from others and also share what our generation is seeing and experiencing. Everyone says it and it’s true, I want deep, authentic exchange.

What do you hope guests take away from this week?

I hope they’re creatively challenged to see how they can contribute. I want them to feel like active participants, not just observers, in this movement. One of my mentors said, “Our actions are not a drop in the ocean. We are the ocean in a drop.” That’s what I want them to feel.

Join the Conversation at Women in Sustainability Week
Be part of an inspiring week of dialogue, ideas, and action. Xiye Bastida will share the stage with powerhouse leaders including Pat Mitchell, Co-Founder and Partner of Project Dandelion; Ronda Carnegie, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Dandelion; Laura Turner Seydel, Director of the Turner Foundation; Vasser Seydel, President of The Oxygen Project; Gay Browne, Founder of Greenopia and author of Living With a Green Heart; and Chef Sheyla Alvarado, culinary innovator from Lunario restaurant in Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe.

September 27 – October 4
Reserve your place and add your voice to a movement shaping a sustainable future.