ASK AN ECO ACTIVIST

This month Bella Lack, teenage conservationist leading the charge for change

YOU’RE 17. SHOULDN’T YOU BE STUDYING?

I’m taking a year out while I make a documentary called Animal, scheduled to screen in autumn. It’s about finding hope during the extinction crisis. I go to about 15 protests a year and, last year, I co-founded Reserva: The Youth Land Trust. We’re raising funds to buy part of the Chocó Rainforest in Ecuador so we can protect endangered species, such as the blue-eyed Pristimantis frog.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN ANIMAL-MAD?

I grew up in London and loved digging in the garden for insects and worms; I even kept snails in my room. When I was 11, I saw a film about orangutans losing their homes – rainforests were being cut down to make space for palm-oil plantations – so

I set up a blog about animal rights. I discovered a community of people who thought like me. Today, I have more than 150,000 social media followers, and I’m a youth ambassador for the Jane Goodall Institute and the Born Free Foundation.

WHAT DO YOU BLOG ABOUT?

I raise the alarm about biodiversity loss – one million species are at risk of extinction. Critically endangered species need champions. More than 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year, and the golden oriole has almost disappeared.

CAN SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY HELP?

Twitter has been a great way for me to connect with young activists around the world, as well as leading naturalists. I don’t think the climate strikes would have been as big without it, as you can use it to spread the word and bring people together. I can spend hours on end on social media – I rarely enjoy it, though.

IF YOU DISLIKE IT, WHY DO IT?

It’s bound up with my work and I feel almost guilty when I’m not on it. Young people like me are new to the game, so we can see flaws in how land is being used that others have become used to. We’ll also be inheriting the planet, so we have the biggest stake.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXAMS?

I’ll start my A-levels in biology, chemistry, geography and English in September. I had to juggle a lot during my GCSES. The night before my English exam, I was speaking on a panel in London (I still did okay). My teachers called activism an “extra-curricular activity”, but I saw it as an obligation. My mum was concerned about my schoolwork, but she has been really understanding.

AND YOUR FRIENDS?

For a long time, I didn’t tell anyone about my social media accounts because I worried what they’d think. Now they know, they’re really supportive. Sometimes friends join me on protests, or we might just go for a walk in Richmond Park.

ANY PINCH-ME MOMENTS?

A couple of years ago, I spoke at the Wildlife Trade Conference chaired by the Duke of Cambridge. I used to get nervous speaking in public, but I’ve got used to it now. I was a bit awestruck when I interviewed one of my idols, Dr Jane Goodall, for Animal.

The first time I met her, I didn’t know what to say.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Up until recently, I’d always wanted to be a vet but now I’d like to continue making documentaries. As well as making changes ourselves, we all need to inspire other people to act. It’s the only way to make a big difference.