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Sierra Lindsey Kos: A Beacon for Climate Action

Sierra Lindsey Kos has been recognized on the prestigious TIME100 Climate list for 2026, which highlights 100 remarkable leaders from around the globe who are advancing climate action. As the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Extreme Weather Survivors (EWS), Kos's work is pivotal in creating a robust community for individuals affected by climate-related disasters. Her journey into this realm began amid the chaos of the Oregon wildfires in 2020. The smoke that enveloped her surroundings motivated her to establish EWS, partnering with Chris Kocher to ensure that nobody would have to endure recovery alone.

EWS has evolved into a sanctuary for over 2,500 survivors of various climate disasters, including wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and more. Kos explains, "Extreme Weather Survivors launched with a simple goal to ensure no one recovers alone." This community-building effort creates a space for survivors to lean on one another during the arduous recovery process, where lost homes and livelihoods often come with additional complications like insurance issues and health concerns.

What sets Kos apart is her ability to harness the power of storytelling to advance her cause. Drawing from her extensive experience as a filmmaker, she has effectively communicated the struggles and resilience of disaster survivors. Her previous role as President Obama’s video director allowed her to witness the transformative impact of policy on real lives, further fueling her commitment to advocate for survivors. Kos emphasizes the importance of forming connections, stating, “Every day, I see people who are still rebuilding their own lives make time to help someone else.” This altruism is a core value of EWS, where mutual support strengthens the community.

In addition to providing immediate assistance, EWS employs advocacy strategies to ensure the survivors' voices shape policies. TIME’s profile on Kos underscores EWS’s efforts in legislative advocacy, including the successful push for the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. This legislation aims to create a more structured assistance framework for families post-disaster. They’ve also made strides in California, where EWS successfully advocated for groundbreaking legislation that sets standards for smoke damage assessment.

This summer, Kos launched the innovative Stolen Summers initiative, a nation-wide voter engagement tour aimed at raising awareness about the severe impacts of climate change. Through 50 events across 20 states, the initiative empowered survivors to share their narratives and advocate for support at both local and national levels. Artists and organizers joined forces with survivors, enhancing the outreach efforts and further solidifying the bond within this growing community.

The initiatives spearheaded by Kos and her team at EWS not only aim to support existing survivors but also create systematic changes that can help future generations. They emphasize the significance of solidarity among survivors, focusing on keeping families safe and ensuring fair recovery opportunities.

Through her role in EWS, Kos continues to shine a light on the plight of climate disaster victims, showcasing how integral it is for communities to unite in the face of adversity. As her recognition in the TIME100 Climate list attests, Sierra Lindsey Kos remains an influential voice in the climate action movement, embodying hope, resilience, and dedicated service for those impacted by extreme weather events.

In a world increasingly grappling with the realities of climate change, the importance of leaders like Kos cannot be overstated. Their stories inspire others to take action, proving that collective efforts can usher in meaningful change and recovery for all affected by climate-driven disasters.