The international organization this year released the National Geographic 33, the famous list that celebrates the life’s work of 33 groundbreaking individuals, described as “The agents of change striving to make our world a better place.” Thanks to their out-of-the-box thinking, courage, and sense of purpose, these exceptional people have been working hard to reimagine a different reality and to shape it into existence. In this article, we’ll get to know four National Geographic NG33 Latinx visionaries who are committed to leaving a better tomorrow for future generations (we bet you’ll know who No. 3 is…).
Why “33” Matters: The History Behind the NG33 Initiative
For the first time since its creation in 1888, the National Geographic 33 decided to try this new initiative to celebrate people making a significant impact on the world through innovation, activism, science, arts, and more. But why did they choose 33 individuals? Why not a round number like 10, 25, or 50? Well, the answer lies in the organization’s origin.
137 years ago, 33 explorers, scientists, and scholars came together to found the National Geographic Society with a mission to deepen humanity’s understanding of the planet. The new project honors that legacy by spotlighting changemakers who embody that original spirit—innovators who challenge the status quo, create new paths forward, and inspire people to think and act differently.
“The inaugural 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,” said Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Content, for Businesswire.
Conceptos Plásticos: Recycled Plastic Bricks for Homes & Schools
Isabel Cristina Gámez and Oscar Andrés Méndez, the Creators
With the city of Bogotá as their never-ending inspiration, architects Isabel Cristina Gámez and Óscar Andrés Méndez are literally building a better world—one brick at a time. But these aren’t just ordinary bricks: they are made of 95% recycled plastic!
Co-founders of Conceptos Plásticos, this duo has developed an innovative system that transforms plastic waste into durable, easy-to-assemble construction blocks. Their solution addresses two critical global issues at once: plastic pollution and housing shortages. According to their website, Gámez and Méndez have managed to recover 3,000 metric tons of plastics from the ocean and transform it into schools, shelters, and homes. This helps avoid the production of microplastics and the pollution of marine ecosystems. Not only that, but the Latinx visionaries also created 250 decent jobs for the communities in Latin America and Africa.
Their groundbreaking and low-cost initiative has taken the circular economy one step further on the path towards true sustainability.
Carla Pérez: Defying Limits on Everest and K2 Without Oxygen
Carla Pérez, the Adventurer
Ecuadorian mountaineer Carla Pérez is fearless. In fact, she’s quite obsessed with mountains: this trailblazing mountaineer has climbed Mount Everest, K2, and Makalu without using supplemental oxygen and is planning to do Kanchenjunga and Lhotse next (the other two mountains over 8,300 meters). Not only that, but she’s also the first Latina to summit Everest without this breathing aid (and was the sixth woman to do so.) And as if that weren’t enough, she was the first woman to summit K2 and Everest in the same year!
In an extreme field dominated by men, she defies gender norms and biological differences in every rock she climbs. But this isn’t just a question of gender, but also wealth: mountain climbing is a really expensive sport due to the high fees and the recent decline in sponsorship. Besides, the countries with the most climbers have developed economies, as opposed to less developed nations like Ecuador (with only 15 climbers so far).
Pérez doesn’t want to enjoy all the glory all by herself. Her accessibility project, called Más Allá de una Cima (“Beyond a Peak”), organizes monthly outings for people with disabilities to explore Ecuadorian mountains. By giving back, she also pays homage to her uncle, who suffered from cerebral palsy.
Strangely, this isn’t the first time we’ve written about Latinas, disabilities, and mountains: you can check out our article on Marcela Marañon, the first disabled Latina to climb Mount Kilimanjaro!
Selena Gomez: Championing Mental Health Through Global Influence
Selena Gomez, the Mental Health Activist
As we mentioned earlier, you probably know who Selena Gomez is. This Mexican-American actress, singer, producer, and entrepreneur is perhaps one of the most recognizable faces in this year’s NG33 list. Born and raised in Texas to Mexican-American parents, Selena Gomez is a Latinx visionary about mental health activism and has consistently used her platform to promote mental health awareness through projects like The Rare Impact Fund, which has mobilized $100 million in contributions for youth mental health. Selena is also co-founder of Wondermind, a company which focuses on promoting mental “fitness” through articles, podcasts and interviews.
Latinx Representation Matters With Global Innovation
These four Latinx visionaries represent the wider spirit of the NG33 initiative: courage, innovation, and the will to right the wrongs of the world. Whether from Ecuador, Colombia, or the US, they bring Latin American heritage to the global stage, showing that international solutions can (and must) come from everywhere. The world faces urgent challenges—from the climate crisis to social inequality and mental health. But as these 33 Agents of Change teach us, we are not without hope.
Resumen en español:
Lxs Latinxs Celebradxs en la serie 33 Agentes del Cambio de National Geographic
Se ha publicado el National Geographic 33, una iniciativa que reconoce a 33 individuos que están transformando el mundo desde distintos ámbitos. Los colombianos Isabel Cristina Gámez y Óscar Andrés Méndez crean ladrillos a partir de plástico reciclado para construir viviendas y escuelas. La ecuatoriana Carla Pérez ha escalado cumbres como el Everest y el K2 sin oxígeno suplementario. Por último, la estadounidense de origen mexicano Selena Gomez impulsa proyectos de salud mental para jóvenes, como el Rare Impact Fund.
