Catholic Woman from Kerala Champions Environmental Conservation Through Unique Initiative

Kollam, Kerala, July 18, 2025 — In the coastal town of Kollam, Kerala, a powerful global movement for environmental sustainability and peace took root in 2021, sparked by the vision of a young woman devoted to protecting the planet. Meet Greshma Pious Raju, a 30-year-old Catholic peacebuilder and the founder of the Ecopeace Teen Café. The initiative is a global online platform that empowers teenagers to lead conversations and take meaningful action on ecological sustainability and peacebuilding.

Through the Ecopeace Teen Café, Greshma actively promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, nurturing a new generation of young leaders committed to building a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. Since its launch in January 2021, the platform has become a vibrant and inclusive space for over 200 teens and hundreds of youth worldwide. It offers a platform for learning, dialogue, and collaboration to address the various ecological challenges the world faces today.

A Faith-Fuelled Mission

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Greshma shared that the Earth Charter inspired her to start EcoPeace Teen Café. "The Earth Charter is an ethical document consisting of 16 principles that promote sustainable development," she says.

Rooted in her Catholic values and driven by a deep love for creation, Greshma believes that saving the Earth is as much a spiritual mission as it is a scientific one. A parishioner of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Punalur, in Kerala, she combines her academic background—an English degree from the University of Kerala and a Master’s in International Peace Studies from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica—with her unwavering faith to lead a movement that’s as compassionate as it is courageous.

A Global Café for Teen Changemakers

Ecopeace Teen Café tackles pressing ecological issues through multilingual programmes, digital dialogues, and community collaborations. Operating both online and in-person, the initiative has engaged youth across Asia, Latin America, and Africa, equipping the next generation with the tools and knowledge to become proactive environmental stewards.

Since its inception, Ecopeace Teen Café has hosted over 100 global events in English, Spanish, and French, making sure no language becomes a barrier to change. Young members of the cafe explore critical environmental issues and develop real-world solutions to address them.

Greshma has facilitated 16 youth training programs in the UK in collaboration with Religions for Peace UK. She has also co-created initiatives such as the UKIYN EcoPeace Café. She has also developed toolkits for sustainable living, mentored global youth volunteers, and produced compelling communication materials that highlight the urgent need for action to save the planet.

Focusing on Ocean Conservation

After watching the documentary Chasing Coral, Greshma was deeply moved by the silent destruction of marine ecosystems caused by climate change and pollution. This eye-opening experience pushed her to make ocean conservation a core focus area of Ecopeace Teen Cafe’s initiatives.

Through storytelling and film screenings, Greshma fostered empathy and understanding among teenagers about the importance of protecting the ocean and marine life. Each screening was followed by meaningful discussions filled with insight, concern, and a collective drive to take action.

“Ocean conservation goes beyond science and policy—it’s rooted in empathy, education, and a shared sense of responsibility,” Greshma says.

A Voice on the Global Stage

Greshma speaks not only to teens but to the world. She has spoken at major global platforms such as the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai and the G20 Interfaith Forum 2023 in Pune, urging world leaders to include youth and faith-based perspectives in climate conversations.

In addition to her work with Ecopeace Teen Café, Greshma serves as the Community and Fellowship Manager at Our Kids’ Climate, a global network of parent leaders committed to intergenerational climate action. She is also a Global Trustee of the United Religions Initiative and a long-standing Earth Charter Young Leader, advocating for sustainability, ethical leadership, and peace education. Furthermore, Greshma contributes to the intersection of faith and environmental stewardship as a Youth Council Member of the UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative.

A Message That Echoes Across Oceans

Whether on a screen in Nairobi or at a conference in Dubai, Greshma’s message remains clear:

“We are not here just to live but to protect, restore, and pass on the wonders of our planet.”

Greshma Pious Raju’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, youth, and vision in tackling the planet’s most urgent challenges. Through Ecopeace Teen Café, she has not only created a platform for global dialogue but also ignited a movement rooted in compassion, collaboration, and care for creation. As young changemakers across continents continue to draw inspiration from her leadership, Greshma reminds the world that lasting change begins with a single step—and that when guided by purpose and community, those steps can ripple into a tide of transformation.

Catholic Woman from Kerala Champions Environmental Conservation Through Unique Initiative

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