Nine Sustainability Heroes
Who are the people the team at event:decision find the most inspiring in the sustainability space?
We’re constantly inspired by the pioneers and inventors in the sustainability space in the work that we do here at event:decision, but we’re aware that only some of them are as widely known as we think they deserve to be. So we thought we’d share with you nine sustainability innovators who have made significant contributions to the cause:
Sir David Attenborough World-renowned naturalist and broadcaster and widely regarded as a global voice for the natural world. With a career spanning decades, he has produced numerous documentaries highlighting the wonders of nature and the urgent need to protect it. Through his powerful storytelling and environmental advocacy, Attenborough has raised awareness about the impacts of climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat destruction and inspired millions to appreciate and safeguard the planet’s biodiversity. No-one tops David Attenborough in our list of sustainability heroes.
Wangari Maathai The late Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental activist and the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which focuses on reforestation, conservation, and women’s empowerment. Through tree-planting initiatives, she contributed significantly to restoring Kenya’s biodiversity and fighting against deforestation.
Mike Berners-Lee Expert in carbon foot-printing and sustainability and a professor and researcher at Lancaster University, he has focused on understanding the environmental impact of everyday activities. Through his book “How Bad Are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything,” Berners-Lee has made complex climate issues accessible to the general public. His work has helped individuals and businesses make informed choices to reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a more sustainable world.
Greta Thunberg The Swedish environmental activist gained international recognition for her dedication to addressing the urgent issue of climate change. At just 15 she initiated the “Fridays for Future” movement (also known as the School Strike for Climate), inspiring millions of students worldwide to strike for climate action. Her speeches and advocacy have brought global attention to the need for urgent environmental policies and actions.
Kevin Kumala Indonesian entrepreneur and biologist is the co-founder of Avani Eco, a company that focuses on producing eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. He invented a sustainable bioplastic made from seaweed that is fully biodegradable and compostable. This innovative material has the potential to replace conventional plastic packaging, reducing plastic pollution and its harmful impact on the environment.
Dr. Jane Goodall Renowned for her work with chimpanzees, Dr. Jane Goodall is also a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability. Through her Jane Goodall Institute, she promotes community-centred conservation and empowers individuals to take positive action for the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
Boyan Slat Dutch inventor and entrepreneur, is the founder of The Ocean Cleanup, an organisation dedicated to developing advanced technologies to remove plastic pollution from the oceans. He designed a passive floating system that utilises ocean currents to capture and concentrate plastic debris, making cleanup operations more efficient. Slat’s invention has brought attention to the critical issue of ocean plastic pollution and inspired efforts to tackle this global challenge.
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim The environmental activist from Chad who advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples and sustainable land management. An expert in indigenous knowledge and its connection to climate change adaptation. Ibrahim has been actively involved in global climate negotiations, ensuring that indigenous voices are heard and incorporated into climate policies. Her work has highlighted the importance of including indigenous perspectives in sustainable development and environmental conservation efforts. In 2016, Ibrahim was selected to represent civil society at the signing of the historic Paris Climate Agreement on April 22, 2016
Dr. Shuji Nakamura Japanese engineer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics and known for his pioneering work in developing blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the blue laser diode. His breakthrough in the 1990s revolutionised lighting and display technologies, significantly improving energy efficiency compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. The widespread adoption of Nakamura’s LED technology has led to substantial energy savings globally and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Each of these sustainability heroes has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and commitment to the preservation of our planet, inspiring people from all walks of life to take action and contribute to a more sustainable future. We find them all incredibly inspiring and they remind us every day that individual actions can drive significant positive change for the environment.
To find out more about our own work, especially our carbon footprint measurement tool track and how it can help event planners measure the carbon impact of their events – get in touch.
