Ms Terese Teoh, at 22 the youngest recipient of the award, is an environmental advocate and NTU undergrad

In January, she became the president of Singapore Youth for Climate Action, an organisation that aims to educate youths here about environmental causes.

Terese Teoh, a 22-year-old undergraduate majoring in Environmental Earth Systems and Public Policy & Global Affairs, is the youngest among 10 recipients of the 10 For Zero award.

The award, handed out last weekend by United States-based non-profit organisation Conservation International, recognised Singaporeans aged 18 to 35 who have significantly contributed to protecting the environment. 

As an aspiring environmental lawyer, Ms Teoh feels strongly that climate issues are also human rights issues. After all, she noted, climate change disproportionately affects marginalised communities. 

For Ms Teoh, the award is not only for her. She told TODAY: "I am receiving this award with the spotlight focused not on me but on environmental defenders out there."