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May 19, 2026 Teen Changemaker from West Windsor, NJ Wins International Prize for Video on Equitable Energy Access (Washington, DC) Kathy Yang, a junior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, is catching eyes on the global stage after winning first place in the World of 8 Billion International Student Video Contest, sponsored by Population Connection—a competition that drew thousands of entries from teens in 63 countries around the world. Her 60-second video, Geothermal Energy: An Infinite Resource, tackles the challenge of equitable access to energy resources and proposes geothermal energy as a key to a more sustainable future.
“The contest perfectly combined two of my biggest interests, videomaking and climate science,” said Kathy, who has a YouTube channel where she interviews environmental experts. “When I researched this topic, I was pleased to find that geothermal energy requires very little land use.”
This year’s contest challenged students to explore how population growth intersects with three critical global issues: Wetlands account for 6% of the Earth’s land surface but are home to 40% of all plant and animal species across the globe – and they play an outsized role in mitigating climate change. Energy, always a topical concern, grows in importance as the population grows – how we generate it, who has it and who doesn’t, its health consequences, and its climate impacts.
Economics: How people, communities, and countries decide how to use their limited resources to meet their unlimited wants and needs. Kathy’s entry stood out by clearly explaining geothermal energy with an original rap song and lively animation.
When she isn’t making award-winning videos, Kathy enjoys singing, taking photos, and playing piano. She would love someday to work as a scientist or researcher for NOAA or NASA.
“It takes real skill to communicate a persuasive message in just one minute about urgent problems facing our growing world,” said John Seager, President of Population Connection. “These students both explain complex issues clearly and think creatively about how we collectively can build a more sustainable future.” Winning videos took on everything from fast fashion to water pollution, all within one powerful minute. Nearly 5,000 students entered the annual contest, organized by Population Connection’s Population Education program, and were judged by a panel of educators, filmmakers, and subject matter experts. Prizes for high schoolers are $1,200 for first place, $600 for second, and $300 for honorable mention. Middle schoolers receive $600 for first place and $300 for second place. Watch Kathy’s winning video here. See the full list of winners here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Carisa Cunningham| (617) 447-6500 |cc@carisacunningham.com # # # Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources.
