Nicolas Lama is a 21 year old environmental activist from West Palm Beach, Florida. He is a junior at Columbia College studying Economics, Political Science and East Asian Studies, and he is being recognized with a Leadership and Excellence Award in Civic Responsibility for his work advancing environmental advocacy and conservation. Growing up on Florida's coast, Nicolas has been surrounded by water and the ocean his entire life. This connection to nature has fostered a strong passion for advocating for environmental conservation and ocean-based climate solutions. As a member of EarthEcho International's Youth Leadership Council, Nicolas leads policy and advocacy initiatives in the United States aimed at protecting and conserving at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 and empowering youth voices in order to build a durable ocean conservation movement. Through his advocacy work, Nicolas has mobilized his peers on taking climate action and protecting local waterways, and he has had the opportunity to address world leaders on several global stages, including at One Planet Summit for the Oceans, Climate Week NYC, and the UN Water Conference.