To culminate the ending of National Women's Month, here are the achievements of some of the most renowned women advocating for environmental sustainability!
Gina Lopez
As an environmental activist and former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines, Gina insisted that unregulated mining activities disrupted the ecosystem and the lives of local communities. During her term as DENR secretary, she successfully canceled several mining companies’ respective contracts.
In September 2017, she won the Seacology Prize, a $10,000 annual conservation prize after 15 years of activism. Lopez passed away in August 2019 due to multiple organ failures brought by her battle with brain cancer.
Greta Thunberg
A 19-year-old activist, Greta Thunberg went over and beyond stereotypes as she continues to call out international leaders for their lack of effort in combating climate change.
At 15, Greta created a movement called Fridays For Future (FFF) by protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament. The movement quickly spread globally, especially among the youth. In 2019, more than one million FFF advocates held a strike for climate change across 125 countries.
Greta is also known for her speech during the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, calling out the weak efforts of world leaders and mentioning how its effects would be catastrophic for future generations.
Emma Watson
A world-famous actress best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, Emma is a well-known activist for gender equality and a pioneer advocate for sustainable clothing.
As an environmental activist, Emma Watson joined the Green Carpet Challenge in 2015, vowing to wear sustainable brands and designers for public appearances. On top of that, Watson has also shown support for the clothing brand People Tree in the creation of organic clothing collections as well as Good on You, a mobile app that allows its users to check the sustainability credentials of clothing brands.
Emma also brought her environmental activism to and joined the board of Kering, who owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. In late 2021, Watson hosted a panel event in COP 26, of which Greta Thunberg was in attendance.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
In 2019, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez was sworn in as the youngest woman and youngest Latina to serve in the United States Congress. Her first piece of legislation, the Green New Deal, aims to phase out fossil fuel use, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and create high-paying jobs in the clean energy industry. Since the introduction of her legislation, the Green New Deal has inspired over a dozen new pieces of legislation and ten regional Green New Deals.
Article developed by: Karla Chatziandreou, Gavinelle Adrias, and Leigh Sindac
References
Brightly. (2022, March 8). 15 women in sustainability who are changing the world for the better. Brightly. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://brightly.eco/women-in-sustainability/
Chua, J. (2019). 7 filipinas who are fierce defenders of mother earth. Google. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/nolisoli.ph/59206/women-environment-jchua-20190315/amp/
NPR. (2019, September 23). Transcript: Greta Thunberg's speech at the U.N ... - npr.org. NPR ENVIRONMENT. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763452863/transcript-greta-thunbergs-speech-at-the-u-n-climate-action-summit
Yron, S. (2019, September 12). Remembering Gina Lopez . The Ecologist. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://theecologist.org/2019/sep/06/remembering-gina-lopez
Harwood, E. Emma Watson Joins the Board of Kering, Owner of Gucci & Balenciaga. NYLON. Retrieved 22 March 2022, from https://www.nylon.com/fashion/emma-watson-kering-board
Emma Watson. Kering. Retrieved 22 March 2022, from https://www.kering.com/en/group/our-governance/board-of-directors/emma-watson/
Barnes, I. (13 February 2020). Green Celebrities: Emma Watson. Recycling Bins.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2020, https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk/blog/green-celebrities-emma-watson/
Bryan, A. (04 November 2021). COP26: Harry Potter actress Emma Watson hosts panel event, attended by Greta Thunberg, at Glasgow climate change summit. The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 March 2022, from https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/cop26-harry-potter-actress-emma-watson-hosts-panel-event-attended-by-greta-thunberg-at-glasgow-climate-change-summit-3445690
Brightly Staff. (08 March 2022). 15 Inspiring Women to Follow in the Sustainability Space. Brightly. Retrieved 22 March 2022, from https://brightly.eco/women-in-sustainability/
About | Representative Ocasio-Cortez. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Representing New York’s 14th District. Retrieved 22 March 2022, from https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/about
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