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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

MIRJAM

“As a student, I travelled to Africa and became close friends with two families in Malawi. I followed their lives up close – the carnage wreaked by AIDS, the uncertainty about whether the harvest will yield enough to feed their family, the fear that a sudden illness could kill one of their loved ones, the ingenuity with which they begin new ventures. My Malawian friends are the eyes and ears through which I try to look at the world. To me, they exemplify the 4 billion people on Earth who do not yet live a life with proper housing, health care and education, and everything else many of us take for granted. I want them to be at the forefront of every change we advocate with RePlanet.”

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.”

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.”

SIMON

“I believe that in the future, people everywhere can enjoy better lives than even the most fortunate people today if we wisely use the opportunities provided by technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and nuclear energy. Yet, I also worry quite a bit. I’m concerned because the fight against global poverty is frustratingly slow and full of setbacks. I’m concerned because of catastrophic risks such as those from pandemics, nuclear war and climate change. I’ve joined RePlanet because of its coherent approach towards tackling various key issues at once: cheap and abundant energy and food, a climate that allows humans and ecosystems to thrive, and far greater animal welfare. I want all of this for the world that our children’s children will inherit.”

JAN

“When walking through nature, I can really come to rest. The beauty of nature often fills me with a sense of wonder, as if we are part of something larger than we can comprehend. There is only one planet that we currently know supports life, planet Earth, and we must protect it at all costs. The 21st century brings new challenges such as climate change. It will be a tall order to better protect nature, while improving humanity worldwide. As an engineer, I am all the more aware of how the shift to clean technologies such as nuclear power, cultured meat, and genetic modification can contribute to this goal. Therefore, we must do everything within our power to benefit both humanity and nature.”

LUBOMÍR

“Nature has been part of my life since I can remember, be it the rolling hills and lush forests of the Czech Republic where I was born, or the steep slopes and glaciers of the Alps. Just imagining the absence of nature motivated me to advocate for its preservation and renewal. However, protection of the natural environment must be reconciled with the continued improvement of living standards around the globe, while averting the looming climate change crisis. I’m convinced we can solve these problems with the fruits of modern civilisation. I believe it is our duty to preserve the world for the next generations, without compromising on their quality of life. Therefore, we need to use the best tools at our disposal.”

JOHANNES

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