‘Our goal is to recover the health of the incredible ocean’
Sandy Luk has spent her entire career trying to protect the environment – now, she’s at the forefront as CEO of the Marine Conservation Society.
Growing up in rural Germany, I was taken foraging by my dad and he would teach me about the trees and the birds around us, so I grew up with a deep connection to nature. I wanted to help protect the environment. My dad fled communism in East Germany, and my mum moved here from Argentina, so I also grew up passionate about democracy, human rights and justice, which led me to study law. I wanted to combine both these interests – the environment and law – to make a difference.
After studying at Manchester University, I completed a masters in environmental law, before training to be a solicitor at a London firm. I’d met my husband, Min, at university, and after a few years of working as a lawyer, I left to have children, James and Mia (now 21 and 18).
I didn’t want to work full time while my children were young, so I contacted the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), asking if they needed volunteers with legal skills. They did, and I eventually became a part-time member of staff. I worked on lobbying for environmental liability, which means companies have to cover the costs of restoring damage caused to the environment. In 2010, I started working for the charity Clientearth, which uses law as an instrument of change for environmental protection. This involves suing companies or governments, and helping to implement policy and legislation. I worked on many projects with them over the next decade, but my favourite was marine conservation. I worked with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) on a fisheries policy that encouraged sustainable fishing, to protect marine life. I became fascinated with the ocean; I learned that it covers over 70% of the planet, supplies half of the oxygen we breathe, and absorbs one third of our carbon emissions. It provides food, livelihoods, combats climate change and connects all life on earth. But only a healthy ocean can do these amazing things, and the ocean is suffering.
When the role of CEO of MCS came up, I jumped at the chance to take it on. I love how the charity engages with businesses and communities to make a difference. My role is varied; it involves raising awareness, speaking to politicians and fundraising. Our goal is to recover the health of the ocean.
We run campaigns to encourage people to reduce single-use plastic, and we’re currently working with investors to persuade washing machine manufacturers to install microfibre filters in washing machines, which will prevent plastic entering the ocean. We run beach cleans across Britain and, in September, we have our week-long event, The Great British Beach Clean. Everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small.
Sometimes, saving our seas can feel like an insurmountable task; the urgency is huge. When the vested interests of different governments and businesses go against that, it can sometimes feel like you’re swimming against the tide. My motto is: ‘If you fight, you might lose. If you don’t fight, you’ve already lost’. That keeps me going.
Find out how you can get involved at mcsuk.org
Everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small