Five Female Environmental Activists You Should Follow
Fran Harris, Founder of 4GOOD, argues the importance of activism as a tool for inspiration, and shares five female activists that she’s currently following. Grab your coffee, settle in, and consider following them on social media to show your support - it’s a great way to engage with their work and share in their missions.
As we’re in the midst of COP29, news keeps popping up of activists stirring up mischief. Activism can be intimidating.“It’s not for me”; some of my friends say. But, if we’re going to shift to a more sustainable society, it’s an essential tool in our toolkit. Individual actions - like flying less or buying sustainable products - are important, however they don’t help tackle the systemic issues that have got us here in the first place. This is where activism plays a part.
At its core, activism is about taking action to promote social or political change. It includes anything from participating in a march to using your voice on social media.
It helps change the system by capturing attention and rally more support for a cause. For instance, during the Just Stop Oil protests, donations to Friends of the Earth surged, demonstrating that activism can galvanise public interest and financial backing.
Activism also serves to change societal norms, a phenomenon known as the "radical flank effect". When more disruptive activists take the stage, they can inadvertently make more moderate approaches credible.
I often read the news about how women globally are disproportionately affected by the climate crises. But women have been the cornerstone of many of society's transformations, and environmentalism is no different. There are so many women who are using their voice to inspire and shift social norms. So, in the spirit of inspiration and using my voice, I’m sharing five remarkable female activists and trailblazers who are making waves for the planet. You might know a couple, while others might be new.
Thaline Karajá: Amplifying Indigenous Voices
Thaline is a Brazilian activist from the Karajá people, but she’s also an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. She challenges media representation by amplifying authentic Indigenous voices and has campaigned tirelessly for social and environmental justice throughout her career. Thaline travels the world representing her ethnicity, and recently launched a Go Fund Me page for her to attend COP29, in case you wanted to support her cause!
@thaline_maxim_karaja / Instagram
Ellen Miles: Guerrilla Gardening Revolution
Author, activist, and founder of Nature is a Human Right, Ellen is inspiring a movement around gardening—specifically guerrilla gardening, which involves cultivating plants in neglected public or private spaces. Her work is a breath of fresh air, bringing nature back into urban environments and encouraging community involvement. She recently partnered with Earthed for a 28-day challenge to green the streets. Ellen is candid, inspiring, and pretty cool too.
@octaviachill / Instagram
Mikaela Loach: A Voice for Climate Justice
You may have heard of Mikaela, and for good reason. I was first introduced to her this summer through her book "It's Not That Radical" (highly recommend!), but she has been making noise for some time with a following of over 280,000. A medical student and activist, she challenges powerful entities on their involvement in the climate crises. In her own words, she doesn’t fit the conventional image of an environmental activist, making her message all the more crucial for inclusivity in climate action.
@mikaelaloach / Instagram
Kelly Newton and Coni Longden-Jefferson: Breaking Period Stigmas Sustainably
As the founders of NIXI Body, Kelly and Coni are revolutionising period products with their plastic-free alternatives. They're on a mission to keep women moving through menstruation, motherhood, and menopause, while saving the planet one pair of knickers at a time. Whilst they're not on this list for rallying cries, they are on this list for trailblazing. I’ve been really inspired by their all age, all women approach to leak-proof underwear. Their message helps challenge stigmas surrounding periods and bladder leaks, and brings environmental sustainability into something that’s a regular occurance for most women.
@nixibody / instagram
Greta Thunberg: A Leading Global Voice
No list of activists would be complete without Greta. This week, she made headlines again by boycotting COP29 in Azerbaijan—not due to travel miles, but because she stands against the hypocrisy of hosting the conference in an authoritarian oil state. She has also voiced her opposition to the Armenian ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, showcasing her commitment to addressing various social justice issues. Once again, Greta is leading the charge for many others.
Follow Greta Thunberg on Instagram
@gretathunberg / instagram
So, as news of activists emerges at COP29, let’s remember the vital role these individuals and organisations play in shaping our society. And remember to give them a follow on Instagram to show your support!
Thank you for reading—I hope you found this piece enjoyable and inspiring.
About Me: Hi, I'm Dr. Fran Harris, a researcher in sustainability and planetary health, and the founder of 4GOOD (@weare4good), a social enterprise that helps people find events that do good. I believe in using science, design and collaboration to drive positive change. Follow me on LinkedIn for sustainability and positive impact insights, recommendations and my social entrepreneur journey. More about me and my work: https://www.drfranharris.com/
