PATRICIA

"I was a tree-planting enthusiast long before climate resilience and adaptation became a hot topic. I squeezed them into my small plot in Kampala. Despite what some might think, I'm not a geneticist with a PhD in molecular biology. Instead, I've established myself as a science communicator in biotechnology and its adoption in Africa. In 2015, I grew tired of my job as a newsroom sub-editor and decided to dive into the world of biotechnology communication through the Uganda Banana Research Program. Since then, I've been succeeding in this field."

JOEL

“I grew up in one of the most beautiful places in Britain: Cornwall. My childhood was punctuated with family difficulties and I spent painful periods in foster care separated from them. My refuge was taking river trips, sea swimming and walking in Cornwall’s rare temperate rainforests. I thought everywhere in the world must have such abundant natural places. Sadly, I realised I was wrong. Most of them had been deeply damaged or destroyed. I worked in the film industry for a few years trying desperately to become “successful”, whatever that means! Eventually, my desire to protect the beauty of where I grew up and help restore nature elsewhere caught up with me. In 2018 I quit my job and devoted myself full time to activism instead.”

ROB

"I was born and raised on a farm. As a child, I was branded the artist of the family, being more interested in drawing, art and books. I once got second place in a drawing contest on the topic of nature. Where all the other kids had nice pictures of flowers and animals, I had an unsettling drawing of nature's destruction. I guess I've always used my art as an outlet for my environmental angst. With WePlanet I've found that by focusing on solutions, we can motivate humanity onto a better direction. I hope to illuminate this path with my designs."

TEA

“I got interested in the world from an early age. As a teenager, realising there were threats to our ecosystems, I started political activities and joined several environmental organisations. Meanwhile, my interest in sports led me to study physical therapy and become a world-class American football player. My team won two bronze medals in the World Championships. However, I wanted to pick up my interest in nature. Back in Finland, with a degree in biology, I learned about Suomen Ekomodernistit (the Ecomodernist Society in Finland) and its science-based approach to environmental issues. I joined and became the chair. I’m proud of our collaborations with other environmental NGOs. While our values determine where we want to go, I’m confident that science will tell us how we can reach our goals most effectively.”

IIDA

“I’m happiest out wandering in the wilderness or splashing in the lake with my kids and our dogs. However, the lakeshores where my grandmother grew up are now plagued by toxic algae. Gone are the frogs and the frog pond, and there is no sign of the flying squirrel that once nested in a tree next to our old cottage. Will my daughters experience the richness of the natural world that I enjoyed? Once they have grown up, I want to be able to tell them that we saved the coral reefs, the polar bears and the vulnerable ecosystems. I want to do all we can so we will have space for flying squirrels and wetlands that echo with the croaking of frogs.”

KAROLINA

“Being a biologist, it didn't come as a surprise to me that I would dedicate my working life to the service of nature. Also, I’m an incurable optimist. And so, during a field trip in the national park of Stockholm, back in 2009, I learned that the park lost seven species of flowers every year. Why? Because there were not enough pollinators. There and then, together with a friend, I started a honeybee farm to save plants in urban areas. We soon had 60,000 new pets to take care of. Honeybees are an example of the hidden value of pollination, as they contribute to more than a third of everything we eat. I guess you can describe any bee as a small, furry, flying 50 euro bill. It shows how precious and valuable nature is.”

ADAM

“I tend to get involved in things that have deep meaning. Life is short, after all. Through my work as an energy efficiency software engineer for building smart, I helped save about 13 million cubic metres of methane from burning. While I take pride in avoiding these emissions, I have came to realise that politicians do not care about these things as much as they should. When they replace low carbon energy sources with fossil fuels, they go against principles of climate justice. I’m sad to see how the policies on and politics of climate are often inadequate and in need of serious correction. I guess that’s why I enjoy building communities of people who want to tackle our various crises with science, evidence and reason.”

ANDREA

"I am an optimist who believes there is still time to have a future where humanity and ecology thrive together. I gained my PhD in microbiology from UNSW in 2016, and have worked in gut microbiome research and in the NSW Covid-19 Public Health Response Branch."

CHRISTIAN

“We humans tend to assume we once lived in harmony with nature. Therefore, our ideal picture of sustainability is in the past. That’s why so many of us believe complex technologies stand in opposition to a sustainable future. Yet, by the end of this century, some 10 billion people will live on our planet and they will want to enjoy the fruits of a modern society. Nothing in the old days comes even close to the reality of such a future. I’m convinced we need novel solutions and ingenious ideas to help us reshape our societies and achieve a good life for everyone while protecting nature. Innovative technologies, social progress and a healthy ecology go together. That’s why I believe we need to update our vision for a green future.”

TYRONE

"My passion is policy development and ensuring policies have a positive influence on our beautiful world and societies. I was a member of the Greens for several years including running for both federal parliament and local government. There are scientific blindspots in the Green movement in Australia, such as in gene technology and nuclear energy. These weaken our ability to solve environmental and social challenges. That’s why I have led the founding of WePlanet Australia."

HIDDE

“My father worked as a conservationist at the national forestry. Every week we went out for a walk in the forest or to watch birds at the Friesian lakes. I was convinced I would one day sail along on the Rainbow Warrior, the Greenpeace ship. Years later, when I studied molecular biology, I worked with genetic modification. While suspicious at first, I learned it was a safe and potent technique. It turned out that Greenpeace, the heroes of my youth, were wrong about this. I felt somewhat lost, being very much into sustainability but doubting some common viewpoints of environmental groups. I’ve concluded we can take best care of nature when we accept scientific findings and support technologies that benefit nature and humans.”

CAROLINE

“I live in the Alps and I am as passionate about science as I am about mountains. I am curious by nature and fascinated by the complexity of the living world and the capabilities of human beings. Hiking in the mountains is an activity that fulfils all the senses and elevates the mind. These natural environments are precious in many ways. And we have not finished learning about plants, animals and other microorganisms. Coming from a modest background, I remain very sensitive to the wellbeing of human beings and sincerely wish that everyone should live with dignity.”