Leading Ladies of the Zero Waste Movement

by Maddie Vlismas

It feels crazy (and upsetting) that in 2020 there is still such inequality and an all around lack of acknowledgement for women in so many areas of life including (but not limited to) government, film & television and especially business.

A field that we're proud to say that does have a wealth of female involvement, is the Climate Change and Zero Waste Movement (woo- girl power!). It's no wonder, when around the world, 80% of the people displaced by climate change are women *gulp* [1]. 

This Sunday is International Women's Day, so we thought we would take a moment to celebrate some of the bas-ass leading ladies women out there who are working behind the scenes to actively combat climate change and use their voices for good. 

As a (mostly) female run business, we want to acknowledge these driven, passionate and powerful boss ladies (not bossy). We are inspired by and in awe of you. We hope that these women can inspire you too, and show you just how far a little determination and lot of smarts can get you. 

Some of them you may have heard of, but even better - some of them you might not have heard of, and we're excited to introduce you to them and the incredible work they are doing.  

Go get 'em girl!

~

Greta Thunberg

If you haven't yet heard of this Swedish teen, we are quite frankly, worried about you. Have been under a rock for the past two years? Greta Thunberg's impact has been a phenomenal force for the fight against climate change. At just 15 years of age, Greta decided to take decisive action and started a School Strike for Climate to raise awareness for climate change. Her efforts inspired the Global Strike for Climate and she's travelled the world using her voice for good and has spoken at the United Nations Climate Change Conference and various world Summits. She has won numerous honours and awards for her efforts and even been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize two years in a row. 

Dr. Sylvia Earl

Oceans play a key role in dictating the planet's climate and also act as an indicator of global warming and this is well known to Sylvia Earl. Famed marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, and climate activist, Sylvia Earl has dedicated her entire life to protecting and exploring the Earth's Ocean. She's founded three different organisations to conserve our oceans and has helped break the glass ceiling for women in marine biology and science. She is adamant that healthy oceans mean healthy people, and that we must do everything thing we can to save our life support system. 

Margaret Atwood

Through her written word, (namely her novel, The Handmaid's Tale)Margaret Atwood has become a household name and one of the most powerful voices of our time. Not only has she written extensively about feminism, but she's also a champion of Climate Action too. 

Her ability to articulate some of the most urgent and suppressing issues facing us as women and humans is incredibly valuable in the climate crisis we face, and she has inspired a whole generation of female activists. 

Isatou Ceesay

Dubbed as 'The Queen Of Recycling', Isatou Ceesay is fighting for women's rights and the health of our planet all at the same time. For the past 17 years, Isatou has been educating and empowering women in The Gambia to recycle plastic waste and turn it into revenue to ensure their own financial independence. Her organisation, Women Initiative the Gambia is changing the role women play in society, and even worked with the government in introducing a total ban on plastic bag imports. She believes that educating future generations properly, they will be able to mitigate climate change. 

Jane Fonda

We figure that ought to know about Jane Fonda, the actress, but do you know Jane Fonda, the activist? She's vowed to march and demonstrate in what she calls Fire Drill Friday, each Friday in Washington D.C. "until she is arrested,". How impressive is that! The 81 year old is said to have been inspired by the powerful actions of one, Greta Thunberg and vowed to use her fame and popularity to garner some much needed awareness about the Climate Crisis. Fonda is no stranger to political and environmental activism though, and has spoken up countless times throughout her career on all kinds of issues from the rights of Native Americans to working mothers. 

Kate Nelson (Plastic Free Mermaid)

Not quite sure who Kate Nelson is? How about the Plastic Free Mermaid, then? Yeah, we thought that might right a few bells... Kate Nelson has been disposable plastic free for t-e-n years now. She first discovered the damage plastic was doing to our marine eco-systems when she volunteered at the Ocean Futures Society and saw firsthand the overwhelming amount of plastic (and micro-plastic) waste in the oceans. Horrified by what she saw, she vowed to create change and has since lobbied the government, spoken at schools around the world and founded a not-for-profit organisation to combat the destructive plastic lifestyles many people live. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

AOC, as she likes to be called, made history last year when she became the youngest ever woman elected to Congress, at just 29 years of age. She's become a voice of the younger generation and is a champion of legislative action against climate change in the USA. In February 2019, Ocasio-Cortez submitted her first piece of legislation, the Green New Deal to the Senate, which would phase out fossil fuel use and overhaul the nation's infrastructure. The outline set a goal of having the U.S. "creating net-zero' greenhouse gases in 10 years. Sadly, the Deal was rejected in parliament, however AOC isn't letting that stop her and is fighting harder for more environmental changes than ever before. 

Dr. Jane Goodall 

Someone that has witnessed the immediate effects of climate change firsthand is English Primatologist and Anthropologist, Dr Jane Goodall. She's been at the forefront of the conservation movement for decades, and her work has helped illuminate human understand of wildlife and the importance of protecting it. As the wold's foremost expect on Chimpanzees, she has been a natural activist and ally of our planet for decades, however she now recognises climate change as the biggest threat facing our planet. "When I began there wasn't any particular need for conservation the way there is now," she said. "If we carry on with business as usual, it will be too late." At 85, she's still travelling the world to use her voice and expertise to educate and inspire people about the negative effects of climate change.  

Laura Wells

Aussie marine biologist and model, Laura Wells, is helping save the world, one piece of plastic at a time. Holding degrees in both Biology and Law, qualifications in Environmental management systems and currently studying a Diploma of Paramedical Science *gasps for breath*, you could say that Laura is pretty motivated when it comes to creating positive change. Her reach as an international model allows her to promote the importance of education about our environment and she's worked with all sorts of people like Greenpeace, WWF Australia and 1 Million Women to empower individuals to create change. 

 

This International Women's Day, we want you to think about the women that inspire you! Let us know in the comments below 


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