FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE
Meet some of the powerful change-makers who are leading the way in the battle to save our planet.
THIS YEAR IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY, AND THE THEME FOR 2020 IS, UNSURPRISINGLY, CLIMATE ACTION. TO MARK THE OCCASION, ELLE MEETS SOME OF THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ECO-CELEBRITIES INVOLVED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS WHO ARE HELPING TO PLACE A SPOTLIGHT ON EVERYTHING FROM SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION TO PROTECTING OUR OCEANS
actor
TATI GABRIELLE
“Hello world, how can I best serve you today?” These words, written by US actor Tati Gabrielle in an Instagram post, sum up her feelings for the environment perfectly. The eco-activist, who starred in the hit series The 100, Netflix’s Chilling
Adventures Of Sabrina and has voiced
a character in Disney’s The Owl House, was raised to think big by her Korean mother and African-american father (a former basketball star). Splitting her time between LA and Vancouver, she aims to raise awareness wherever she goes.
YOU’RE INVOLVED WITH THE NRDC, WHICH WORKS TO SAFEGUARD THE EARTH FROM THREATS TO AIR, WATER AND THE WILD. WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO JOIN FORCES?
From global warming to the oceans to extreme industrialisation, it was about realising the importance of nature and how essential it is to our wellbeing. I think of generations to come and want them to have forests to frolic through, oceans to swim in, wildlife to be bewildered by, water to drink... Simply put, I want them to have an earth to actually live on.
WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU’VE WITNESSED AS AN ACTIVIST?
Sewage dumping in Los Angeles. The majority of sewage waste in LA was being dumped into the ocean in Santa Monica, having a terrible impact on the marine ecosystems. It also made a day at the beach a lot less appealing.
AND THE MOST HOPEFUL?
Greta Thunberg. It makes me so hopeful for our future to know there’s a stronghearted leader openly speaking about these issues. She could single-handedly make caring for the environment “cool” for her generation and future generations.
HOW HAS THE CONVERSATION AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS?
The world is starting to feel the urgency of environmental issues and, in turn, people are taking more responsibility. It still worries me that there are sceptics, as though the science is made up. I think the conversation is moving in a positive direction, but I don’t think it’s happening fast enough.
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT OF THE EARTH, WHAT LAWS WOULD YOU ENFORCE?
1.
2.
The use of solar energy. I’d make recycling a law instead of a choice and outlaw dumping waste in any natural water sources. 3. A worldwide ban on plastic. 4. All companies and manufacturers would be required to only use materials they can produce themselves or find in their immediate environment.
Outlaw killing animals for sport or exotic materials. I would make all meat farms conform to ethical conditions and potentially make Meatless Monday an international law.
6. Strict rules for industrialisation and construction to better preserve the nature and ecosystems we have left.
7. A cap on water usage per household with a goal of evenly distributing water among the entire world.
“I think of generations to come and want them to have forests to frolic through, oceans to swim in and water to drink”