Today (April 22) marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a global environmental movement that aims to teach people how to respect the planet and mobilise against the forces which affect it.
Whilst you won’t be able to go to an environmental protest like you would in past years, many people are choosing to act out their activism online.
According to Google, searches for ‘How to live a sustainable lifestyle’ have increased 4,550 per cent over the past 90 days.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration on how to make better environmental 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 six million posts on Instagram exploring this.
And #plasticfree is one of the popular up-and-coming hashtags, with 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.
Greta is the ultimate environmental campaigner and influencer. From starting a school strike to urge 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 over 10 million followers on Instagram, she uses her account to post pictures of her campaign, as well as encouraging people to stay home during the global pandemic.
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.
Lucas recently took to IGTV to show people how to make plant-based milk at home, handy if you can’t get any soya milk in your local supermarket.
Whether it’s inspirational yoga shots or details on how to re-use plastic, Blue’s Instagram is all about being an ethical vegan.
She also has her own e-Book on the vegan recipes you need in your life, whether you’re a strict follower of a vegan diet or just need some more vegetables in your life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recently, Bea has turned her focus to discussing how environmentalists can exist with the values during the global pandemic.
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.
Livia is a sustainable and ethical living influencer, who combines her mission to beat climate change with a focus on defeating slave labour too.
Whilst she isn’t at any public demonstrations at the moment, she uses her feed to showcase her activism and travels between her two home cities, London and Vienna.
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.
Newcastle-born Fransesca 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.
A recent post covered how connecting to nature can have a positive impact on your mental health.
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.
Sisters Amy and Ella may be young but they are motivated to change the plastic industry with their #PlasticClever mission. Over the past year, they have collected over 100,000 pieces of plastic and have a book coming out soon about their work.
