Climate influencers: Inspiring change from films to fashion

Here are three climate influencers giving you a fresh look at the climate crisis through social media, from fashion summits to the ice cores of Antarctica.

These top climate influencers are all over the world, from the ice caps of Antarctica to fashion summits.
These top climate influencers are all over the world, from the ice caps of Antarctica to fashion summits.  © Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/jackharries, icy_pete, sophfei

More major climate influencers are using their platforms on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to make informative and entertaining vids on the environment and sharing them with their growing followings.

These three activists are paving the way to learn about the climate crisis in a different context. They're giving fans a chance to understand exactly how our environment is changing and what to do about it, without getting too downhearted.

From a celebrated documentary filmmaker and a climate journalist, to a scientist getting behind the scenes shots, they're each bringing their special perspective on climate change to a new generation.

Jack Harries

Jack Harries churns out climate documentaries and shorter clips for his followers.
Jack Harries churns out climate documentaries and shorter clips for his followers.  © Screenshot/Instagram/jackharries

Jack Harries is a documentary filmmaker focusing on solutions for climate change.

He shares his thoughts through videos viewed by over one million Instagram followers and nearly four million YouTube subscribers.

One of his biggest projects is Seat at the Table, where he chronicles his quest to learn more about climate anxiety and what we can do to avoid being overwhelmed by the declining state of our environment.

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He's spoken with high profile guests like former president Barack Obama about what young people can do to inspire climate action, and has an ear-to-ear smile while doing it.

Harris also helped found a storytelling platform pushing for climate action called earthrise.studio to help share "radical stories of hope and new possibility."

Icy Pete

Icy Pete lets his followers see a day in the life of a climate scientist.
Icy Pete lets his followers see a day in the life of a climate scientist.  © Screenshot/Instagram/icy_pete

Dr. Peter Neff, better known on social media as Icy Pete, is a climate scientist who specializes in ice core research in coastal areas of western Antarctica.

He's a scientist who gives researchers the baseline information on how cool or warm temperatures were in the past. The crucial info is what we rely on to know how much warmer things are getting, and it's his work that lets us know exactly how much warmer things are now compared to pre-industrial levels – and earlier.

He gives his fans on TikTok and Instagram an engaging behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most important pieces of climate science works.

When Icy Pete posts about his work, his 20,000 Instagram followers and nearly 200,000 TikTok fans are in for a chilly treat.

Sophia Li

Sophia Li wants you to know that sustainability is a spectrum.
Sophia Li wants you to know that sustainability is a spectrum.  © Screenshot/Instagram/sophfei

Sophia Li is a climate journalist, a filmmaker, and constantly working to "connect the dots" between different societal systems and environmental sustainability.

After Roe v Wade was overturned, she pointed out the link between abortion rights and climate justice, tweeting, "It’s not just about better health outcomes when we have choice— it’s also higher incomes and career earnings, further advances in education, and less likely to feel trapped in abusive relationships. Having a choice is the foundation to a sustainable world."

She's also made a point of how environmental action isn't simply "do" or "do not." She views sustainability as a spectrum, something we can all help to contribute more or less to.

Li hosts a Climate Talks podcast, highlights sustainable fashion options, and also recently wrote an article in Vogue about being a climate activist and air travel, pointing out the difference between everyday travelers taking an economy seat on a commercial flight a few times a year versus world leaders taking private jets on a monthly, or even daily basis.

Bringing a fresh perspective to her 60,000 followers on Instagram and Twitter, she's ushering in new hot topics and getting fans to think outside the box when it comes to the climate and personal changemaking.

Spreading optimism through both education and entertainment, climate influencers are gaining steam and giving you new ways to approach our changing environment.

Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/jackharries, icy_pete, sophfei

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