Speaker of the day: Fionn Ferreira — Environment

Every day we spotlight one voice from the UnoMe network. Today: Fionn Ferreira, Environment — one of the keynote speakers we recommend for corporate events and conferences in Doha, Manama and across the GCC.

Who is Fionn Ferreira?

Fionn Ferreira – Scientist, Inventor, and Keynote Speaker on Sustainability, Innovation, and Microplastic Pollution

Fionn Ferreira is an award-winning scientist, inventor, and global keynote speaker passionate about solving one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems — microplastic pollution. Growing up along the remote coast of Ireland, Fionn developed a profound connection to nature. Alarmed by the plastic waste he saw accumulating in the ocean, he began building solutions at the age of 16 using LEGO, wood, and microcontrollers.

He is best known for developing a magnetic-based method to extract microplastics from water — a breakthrough that won him the Google Science Fair Global Grand Prize in 2019. His method is environmentally safe, cost-effective, and has captured global attention, including the support of actor and activist Robert Downey Jr. through the Footprint Coalition.

Fionn is the founder of Fionn & Co. LLC and the Green Journey Coalition, where he continues his R&D in sustainability. A graduate of the University of Groningen with a bachelor’s in Chemistry, he is currently pursuing a Master’s in the same field. He has also become a well-known figure in youth activism and scientific communication, frequently speaking at global events and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

🏆 Notable Achievements:

• Google Science Fair Global Grand Prize Winner (2019)

• European Patent Office Young Inventor’s Prize (2023)

• National Geographic Young Explorer

• Forbes 30 Under 30 (Science & Healthcare, 2021)

• Plastic Action Champion, Global Plastic Action Partnership

• Invited speaker at World Economic Forum, Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit, National Geographic Explorer’s Summit, ChangeNow Paris, and over 20 other major international events

• Featured in global campaigns by HP and Emporio Armani for sustainability

• Youth Advisor for circular economy initiatives at Method

• Founded Green Journey Coalition to continue R&D and educational outreach

• Director of multiple environmental expeditions in the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Canada)

Languages:

• English

🧠 Keynote Topics by Theme:

Environmental Innovation

• Creative Problem-Solving to Combat Microplastics

• From Idea to Impact: Building a Greener Future

• Microplastic Pollution: The Invisible Crisis

Youth Empowerment & Education

• Empowering the Next Generation of Inventors

• Science, Curiosity, and Confidence: A Young Changemaker’s Journey

• Turning Passion into Purpose: Youth-led Climate Action

Sustainability & Circular Economy

• Building a Circular Future: Rethinking Waste and Resources

• Microplastic Removal: Innovation from the Lab to the World

• Scientific Solutions for a Cleaner Planet

Entrepreneurship & Leadership

• From a High School Lab to the Global Stage

• Innovation Without Borders: What Young Entrepreneurs Can Teach Us

• Leadership and Impact in the Climate Era

Fionn Ferreira delivers powerful, story-driven keynotes that fuse scientific innovation with purpose-driven action. He brings a compelling blend of youth perspective, deep environmental expertise, and creative problem-solving strategies to the stage.

His ability to communicate complex environmental issues through accessible language, personal stories, and engaging visuals makes him a standout voice for sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

His interventions help audiences:

• Understand the real-world impact of microplastics and pollution

• Embrace creativity and science as tools for change

• Empower youth, educators, and companies to innovate sustainably

• Rethink the intersection of environmental science and entrepreneurship

Topics on stage

• Environment
• Ethics & Leadership
• Innovation
• Innovation and Transformation

Who is this keynote for?

A talk by Fionn Ferreira fits annual kick-offs, leadership days, industry conferences and talent programmes. The format usually runs 45 to 60 minutes, with an optional Q&A or a closed-door executive workshop.

Booking in the UAE and the Gulf

UnoMe, the Swiss Speakers' Bureau in Dubai, handles everything: selection, negotiation, travel and preparation with your team. Contact us to check Fionn Ferreira's availability for your date.