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Earth Day: 16 environmental influencers to follow on Instagram

 (Unsplash)
(Unsplash)

Today (April 22) marks Earth Day, a global environmental movement that aims to teach people how to respect the planet and mobilise against the forces which affect it.

If you're looking for a little inspiration on how to make better sustainable choices, then Instagram is awash with people raising awareness of the importance of environmental activism.

If it’s sustainable fashion you’re after, there are over 10 million posts on Instagram exploring this. And #plasticfree is another popular hashtag, with over three million posts of people sharing their tips on how to have a zero-waste lifestyle.

Here are the top environmental influencers to follow on Instagram this Earth Day.

1. Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg)

Greta is the ultimate environmental campaigner and influencer. From starting a school strike to urging the Swedish government to act on climate change, the 17-year-old has since inspired millions to follow suit which has seen her meet with world leaders, sail across the Atlantic, and be named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2019.

With 11 million followers on Instagram, she uses her account to post pictures of her campaign.

2. Immy Lucas @sustainably_vegan

Londoner Immy Lucas makes the low impact lifestyle look unbelievably good.

As the founder of the Low Impact Movement, she uses her account to advocate for zero waste, environmentalism and veganism, offering tips on how to cut down on waste with things like making your own snacks or cosmetics.

3. Wilson Oryema @wilson_oryema

Wilson Oryema is a model, poet and environmental activist.

He is co-founder of Regenerative Futures, a Gen Z social change initiative, and Surface Tension, a platform dedicated to the positive potential of materials.

A staunch advocate for sustainability in fashion, Wilson made the documentary How Toxic Are My Clothes? in 2019, which looked at the use of chemicals in the industry and their effects on the human body. Most recently, he is participating as an ambassador for fashion label Mulberry’s Made to Last Manifesto, which marks the brand’s pledge to become a fully regenerative and circular business by 2030.

4. Shaway Yeh

Shaway Yeh is founder of creative sustainability consulting agency yehyehyeh, which she set up in China in 2017.

A disruptor and hugely influential figure in the Chinese fashion media industry, Shaway is a sustainability advocate and pioneer of the movement in the region. She is also a participating ambassador in Mulberry’s Made to Last Manifesto.

5. Madeleine Olivia @madeleineolivia

Based in Brighton, Madeleine’s grid is full of dreamy shots of her great hair and interesting recipes you should try.

She uses the platform to share insights into following a sustainable vegan and minimalist lifestyle, as well as sharing wisdom from her book, Minimal: How to Simplify Your Life and Live Sustainably.

6. Jen Brownlie @jen.brownlie

Scotland-based Jen uses Instagram to showcase how you can follow a sustainable fashion lifestyle and still have a great wardrobe.

Her grid is about focusing on slow fashion and how to integrate it into your wardrobe in a way which works for your lifestyle.

7. Tolmeia Gregory @tollydollyposh

Tolmeia has been running her ethical fashion blog for eight years, since the tender age of 11.

With her emphasis on showcasing sustainable collections by the likes of G-Star RAW, if you’re wanting to cultivate an ethical wardrobe, she is one to follow. She is also the creator of the popular "Climate Action" and "Climate Emergency" filters on Instagram, which cycles through different ways to protect the environment from trying veganism to donating to an eco organisation.

8. James Whitlowdelano @jameswhitlowdelano

Photographer James is the founder of @everydayclimatechange, a collective of six photographers from all over the world who are documenting the real effects of climate change.

His posts are stark and help to demonstrate environmental issues across the globe.

9. Manuela Brown @thegirlgonegreen

Based in the Philippines, Manuela is all about the zero waste, minimal lifestyle. Recently she has focused on upcycling for the environment, including turning an old shirt into a new outfit.

She uses Instagram to post motivational and wellness messages, alongside incredible pictures of nature. Be warned, it is slightly envy-inducing.

10. Bea Johnson @zerowastehome

The founder of the zero waste lifestyle movement, Bea is also a bestselling author of the book Zero Waste Home.

She shatters misconceptions associated with the zero waste lifestyle, showing the time and money savings that come with helping the planet.

11. Lizzie Carr @lizzie_outside

An activist focused on fighting plastic pollution, Lizzie founded @plastic_patrol, a network of people dedicated to cleaning up the planet. She also uses her paddle boarding skills to pick up plastic along global waterways.

12. Livia Van Heerde @liviavanheerde

Livia is a sustainable and ethical living influencer, who combines her mission to beat climate change with a focus on defeating slave labour too. She uses her feed to showcase her activism and travels between her two home cities, London and Vienna.

13. Monika Poppy @sustainabilityiscool

If you've never heard of Sustainability is Cool, it's a blog based on encouraging people to live more sustainably and ethically.

Editor Monika is based in London, and uses her Instagram account of showcase tips and tricks to help everyone live a greener lifestyle.

14. Francesca Willow @ethicalunicorn

Newcastle-born Francesca is all about promoting sustainable living and social justice, whether it's how to support your local homeless shelter at the moment, or cool sustainable brands to shop for.

15. Josephine Becker @treesnpeace

Come to Jo's Instagram feed to see her musings on life as a vegan, environmentalist and zero-waste blogger. Her main focus is on demonstrating how taking care of your body and the earth are harmonious goals.

16. Amy & Ella @kidsagainstplastic

Sisters Amy and Ella may be young but they are motivated to change the plastic industry with their #PlasticClever mission. Over the past five years, they have collected over 100,000 pieces of single-use plastic and have even developed an app to encourage others around the world to join their efforts.