INFLUENCING FOR GOOD Laura Wells
The Australian model and activist is on a mission to save planet Earth
Laura Wells is more than just a gorgeous plus-size model, she is giving our oceans a voice. As a presenter for National Geographic online series Eco-Traveller, the activist reports on the adverse effects humans are having on the natural environment. Over the episode, she looks at the situation in Hawaii, which is known for its beautiful beaches and diverse landscapes.
The jump from modelling to presenting a TV show about nature might seem like a major career shift, but, before she began doing bikini shoots, Wells was studying science (specifically marine biology) and law at university, graduating with degrees in both. During her student days, she was scouted twice – by different agencies – to become a curve model. At first, she laughed off their offers, but as her textbooks piled up she thought a little extra cash wouldn’t be so bad. Now, she has been modelling for 10 years and hasn’t looked back. With more than 83,000 followers online, she is using her place under the spotlight in the public eye for good. “We all have influence small or large and we should use it,” she says. Wells, 34, is using hers to educate people about the growing pressures facing our environment, mainly due to climate change. “The ocean provides four out of every five breaths we take,” she says.
Her passion for the sea stems from growing up around water. From being involved in the local surf club to having a dip every chance she could, she has always loved the coastal lifestyle.
Given her interest in all things aquatic, she is particularly concerned about the ongoing and devastating impact humanity is having on the ocean. “But as tourists we only see the pristine waters,” she explains.
Diving underneath the surface, Wells has seen first-hand the way pollution affects our oceans. As well as filming for National Geographic, she has worked alongside charities like Greenpeace and WWF Australia to promote the need for climate change action. From the Great Barrier Reef to Tonga, the model says “we need to take our blinkers off and notice our impact”.
On Eco-Traveller: Hawaii, she visits breathtaking volcanoes and cascading waterfalls, and examines the dire effects of climate change. She also shares her tips for being a conscientious and responsible tourist. For one, ticking the ‘carbon offset box’ next time you fly to ensure your journey is carbon neutral.
Reducing our food wastage and making sure our superannuation is with an environmentally conscious company are other insights Wells provides. She also discusses how humans need to stop relying so much on plastics.
Acknowledging that the modelling industry and the environment historically don’t go hand in hand, the presenter points out the changes she has made in her life.
“What we do in our backyard affects everyone’s backyard”
— Laura Wells
Rejecting fast fashion, Wells opts for clothing made from natural textiles, such as linen, merino and cotton. And before popping a new item of clothing into her shopping cart she asks herself, “Will I wear this 30 times?” If not, she won’t purchase it.
Similarly, the activist also believes it is important to encourage the use of popular reusable items such as keep cups and metal straws: “What we do in our backyard affects everyone’s backyard,” she argues.
She believes passionately the answer to climate change is group effort. “There are no boundaries between air and ocean – we need to work together to create a sustainable future,” she says.