When it comes to making the world a little greener, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. These five sustainability champions are proving that we can each make a difference in our own way. By focusing on eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, supporting sustainable fashion, and making cleaner choices for our homes and communities, they’re inspiring change every day. Here’s how they’re doing it—and how you can start, too!
- Leah Thomas (@greengirlleah)
- Focus: Environmental justice, eco-friendly lifestyle, sustainable fashion
- Story: Leah Thomas, founder of the Intersectional Environmentalist platform, is dedicated to making environmentalism more inclusive and accessible. Her journey started with her passion for the environment and her realization that sustainability conversations often excluded marginalized voices.
- Top Tips: Leah advocates for conscious fashion choices, buying less, and investing in pieces that are sustainable and ethically made. She also emphasizes the importance of learning about environmental justice and understanding how different communities are affected by climate change.
- Follow: @greengirlleah
- Lauren Singer (@trashisfortossers)
- Focus: Zero waste, sustainable swaps, waste reduction, methane mitigation
- Story: Lauren Singer started her zero-waste journey after realizing the impact of single-use plastics on the environment. She became famous for fitting a year’s worth of waste into a small mason jar and has since shared her journey, making zero waste feel achievable and practical for anyone.
- Top Tips: Lauren recommends starting small by replacing disposable items with reusable options, such as cloth bags, water bottles, and bamboo utensils. She also suggests taking time to assess your waste habits to find areas for easy improvement.
- Follow: @trashisfortossers
- Kathryn Kellogg (@going.zero.waste)
- Focus: Zero waste, low-waste living, plastic-free lifestyle
- Story: Kathryn Kellogg started her journey toward zero waste after dealing with health issues and researching the effects of toxins in everyday products. She began with small, manageable changes that eventually became a full zero-waste lifestyle, inspiring thousands to make similar shifts.
- Top Tips: Kathryn recommends starting by saying “no” to single-use items and rethinking the way you shop. Her go-to advice? Focus on reducing waste with food packaging by opting for fresh, unwrapped produce and making homemade versions of packaged items.
- Follow: @going.zero.waste
- Isaias Hernandez (@queerbrownvegan)
- Focus: Veganism, environmental education, eco-friendly lifestyle
- Story: Isaias Hernandez, also known as Queer Brown Vegan, shares accessible environmental education and promotes a vegan lifestyle as a means of reducing one’s carbon footprint. His focus is on making sustainability more inclusive and giving people the tools they need to start small.
- Top Tips: Isaias recommends exploring plant-based eating, even if it’s just a few meals a week. He also emphasizes sustainable consumption by only buying what you truly need and considering secondhand or eco-friendly products when you do shop.
- Follow: @queerbrownvegan
- Rob Greenfield (@robjgreenfield)
- Focus: Minimalism, waste reduction, sustainable lifestyle experiments
- Story: Rob Greenfield is known for his bold sustainability experiments, from living without a bank account to growing his own food for a year. His projects challenge the norms around consumption and inspire people to think about their own impact.
- Top Tips: Rob advocates for embracing minimalism and only using what you truly need. He also suggests starting a small garden, even if it’s just a few herbs, to gain a better understanding of food sources and reduce dependency on packaged goods.
- Follow: @robjgreenfield
5 Easy Steps to Start Your Own Sustainability Journey
Inspired by these eco-leaders? Here are five quick ways to begin your journey to a more sustainable lifestyle:
- Swap Single-Use for Reusables: Bring a reusable water bottle, shopping bags, and utensils wherever you go.
- Eat More Plants: Try incorporating more plant-based meals, which have a lower environmental impact.
- Choose Secondhand or Sustainable Clothing: Thrift shopping or supporting sustainable brands helps reduce waste and demand.
- Reduce Waste at Home: Start small with zero-waste swaps like reusable dishcloths or natural cleaning supplies.
- Educate Yourself and Share Knowledge: The more you know, the more you can share! Small conversations can inspire big change.
Ready to Join the Movement?
Sustainability is a journey, and every small action matters. Follow these inspiring leaders, try a few tips, and share your progress with us in the comments below. Together, we can create a positive impact—one step at a time!
Photo by Katrin Bolovtsova on Pexels.