By Sallieu S. Kanu
WASHINGTON – Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Chief Heat Officer Eugenia Kargbo have been named to the first-ever National Geographic 33 list, which celebrates 33 extraordinary individuals working to create a better future for the planet. The announcement was made on March 18, 2025, as part of National Geographic’s recognition of changemakers worldwide.
Selected for their impactful efforts to combat the climate crisis in Freetown, Aki-Sawyerr and Kargbo join an illustrious group of honorees, including Hollywood actors, scientists, athletes, and entrepreneurs. The list highlights individuals whose innovative ideas and dedication have led to significant contributions in fields such as climate action, mental health advocacy, sustainable fashion, and environmental conservation.
The National Geographic 33 list pays homage to the organization’s 33 founders from 1888, who championed the protection of the planet and the deepening of humanity’s understanding of the world. This inaugural group features honorees such as actor Jason Momoa, singer Selena Gomez, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, and designer Gabriela Hearst, among others.
Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic Content, noted the significance of this initiative: “National Geographic 33 represents an exciting milestone for us, as it embodies the very essence of our brand—sharing the stories of extraordinary individuals whose work is making a meaningful impact in the hope of inspiring others to help shape a better future.”
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Eugenia Kargbo’s recognition underscores the importance of their leadership in addressing climate emergencies and promoting environmental sustainability in Sierra Leone. Their inclusion in the National Geographic 33 list highlights the global impact of their efforts and serves as an inspiration for others to take action.
The list of National Geographic 33 honorees includes:
- Adam McKay: The filmmaker using biting satire to illuminate the dire realities of climate change
- Alexis Nikole Nelson: The social media star sharing the wonder of wild plants with a wider audience
- Arlo Parks: The singer-songwriter using music to campaign for mental health
- Björk: The otherworldly musician offering a lesson in environmental pragmatism
- Carla Pérez: The pathbreaking mountaineer helping climbers with disabilities reach new heights
- Carlos Magdalena: The rescuer of plants that are on the brink of extinction
- Cole Brauer: The pioneering sailor bringing her sport to a new wave of fans
- Don Cheadle: The acclaimed actor battling climate injustice one at-risk community at a time
- Edward Norton: The actor imagining a new way to conserve African wildlife
- Emily Liman: The scientist deepening our understanding of human senses
- Gabriela Hearst: The designer bringing climate consciousness to high fashion
- Hamdi Ulukaya: The business leader matching refugees with good jobs
- Héctor Bellerín: The soccer player dreaming up an eco-friendlier future for sports
- Isabel Cristina Gámez & Oscar Andrés Méndez: The builders finding a novel use for plastic waste around the world
- Jason Momoa: The actor using his superpowers to protect our oceans
- Jennifer Uchendu: The climate activist creating spaces for Africans to process their eco-anxiety
- Jeremy Jones: The snowboarder uniting athletes to save our winters
- Lewis Pugh: The endurance swimmer on a diplomatic mission to protect the world’s fragile places
- Lucie Basch: The app co-founder who built an online marketplace for food waste
- Maya Gabeira: The big-wave surfer attacking the scourge of plastic waste
- Michelle Yeoh: The Oscar® winner shining a spotlight on the plight of women in disaster zones
- Dr. Muhammad Mansoor Mohiuddin: The doctor discovering an unlikely new breed of heart donors
- Oksana Masters: The gold-medal-winning Paralympian and disability rights advocate
- Pattie Gonia: The activist making the outdoors a more welcoming space for the queer community
- Sana Javeri Kadri: The entrepreneur inspiring a more sustainable and ethical spice trade
- Selena Gomez: The superstar supporting mental health on a global scale
- Dr. Shu Yang: The scientist finding solutions in the structures of nature
- Sterlin Harjo: The storyteller spotlighting Indigenous voices
- Tayshan Hayden-Smith: The guerrilla gardener bringing horticulture to a new generation
- Victor Glover: The astronaut launching a new era of space exploration
- Yara Shahidi: The actress unpacking the psychology of optimism
- Yvon Chouinard: The unlikely mogul who built the ultimate outdoor brand, then gave it away to save the planet
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr & Eugenia Kargbo: The local leaders saving their city from a climate emergency
Notable stats from this year’s National Geographic 33 list include:
- Innovators across the map: National Geographic 33 honorees span five generations and five continents, and the honorees are based in a dozen countries, including several global citizens for whom the world is their home base.
- Creating the change they wish to see: 19 honorees have founded or co-founded organizations, and eight honorees are UN Ambassadors focused on oceans, biodiversity, youth empowerment, sustainability or mental health.
- Sports for all seasons: National Geographic 33 athletes include a snowboarder, soccer player, sailor, mountaineer, multisport Paralympian, surfer, and swimmer, whose deep connection to nature drives their advocacy for ocean and land conservation.
About National Geographic Content
Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content’s award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo, Oscar-nominated films Sugarcane, Fire of Love and Bobi Wine: The People’s President, Emmy® Award-winning franchise 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, Emmy® Award-winning series Animals Up Close, series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, Life Below Zero, and Secrets of the Whales, in addition to multiple National Magazine Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalists and Webby wins.