1184156438

Photo by: Peter Cade

Peter Cade

Environmentalists Who Changed (and Continue to Change) the World

By: Leah Weber

Here are five women who made it their life's mission to make the world a better place through environmental activism.

March 06, 2020

There is nothing more important than protecting our environment. Without a safe and healthy place to live, the human race could be in epic danger. For International Women's Day, we celebrate a few women who take the world in their hands and protect it with all they have.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg joins demonstrators during a Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate (BYS4C) march, on February 28, 2020 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

1209259725

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg joins demonstrators during a Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate (BYS4C) march, on February 28, 2020 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

Photo by: Finnbarr Webster

Finnbarr Webster

Greta Thunberg

“I have not accomplished anything." This statement made by Greta Thunberg (17 years old) and it couldn't be further from the truth. Her dedication to protecting the environment for our future generations is an accomplishment on its own. Her ability to stand up to adults in power is admirable and continues to push the importance of conservation to the front of our minds.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02:  Co founder of WE ACT For Enviormental Justice Peggy Shepard attends New Yorkers For Clean Power Campaign Launch at Solar 1 on May 2, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

527325298

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Co founder of WE ACT For Enviormental Justice Peggy Shepard attends New Yorkers For Clean Power Campaign Launch at Solar 1 on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Photo by: Roy Rochlin

Roy Rochlin

Peggy Shepard

WE ACT for Environmental Justice is an organization that “through advocacy, planning, and research…is able to mobilize low-income communities of color to make environmental changes.” At the helm of WE ACT is Peggy Shepard. Her goal is to make sure that sustainable environmental practices are accessible to all, regardless of circumstance.

UNITED STATES - JULY 14:  Biologist/author Rachel Carson  (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)

92931678

UNITED STATES - JULY 14: Biologist/author Rachel Carson (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)

Photo by: Alfred Eisenstaedt

Alfred Eisenstaedt

Rachel Carson

American marine biologist, writer, scientist, and ecologist, Rachel Carson (1907-1964), was way ahead of her time. She wrote about conservation in the late 1930s and focused on her mission of protecting our oceans.

Julia Butterfly Hill during Daryl Hannah Protests the Closing of South Central Los Angeles Farm - June 1, 2006 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

106986234

Julia Butterfly Hill during Daryl Hannah Protests the Closing of South Central Los Angeles Farm - June 1, 2006 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jesse Grant/WireImage)

Photo by: Jesse Grant

Jesse Grant

Julia "Butterfly" Hill

In the late 90s, Julia “Butterfly” Hill spent 738 days living in an ancient redwood, called Luna. This act brought awareness to the immense human threats to Redwood trees. Julia continues to advocate for the environment. “By standing together in unity, solidarity, and love we will heal the wounds in the earth and in each other. We can make a positive difference through our actions.”

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Actress and activist Jane Fond speaks at her last Washington, DC "Fire Drill Fridays" climate change protest and rally on Capitol Hill on January 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

1198698462

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Actress and activist Jane Fond speaks at her last Washington, DC "Fire Drill Fridays" climate change protest and rally on Capitol Hill on January 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Photo by: Paul Morigi

Paul Morigi

Jane Fonda

Hollywood royalty, Jane Fonda, has decided that she is making saving the world her mission. She has stopped everything to spearhead Fire Drill Fridays. She was inspired by Greta Thunberg’s statement that “our house is on fire.” Since October, Fonda and other activists have taken to the streets, mostly in DC to protest and make their voices heard. She even spent time in jail for her cause!

Next Up

A Look at ‘Rewilding’ Around the World

Learn more about the efforts of rewildling throughout the world on Discovery.com.

Major and Champ Biden Get Ready for the InDOGuration

Ahead of the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, the people at the Delaware Humane Association are having a celebration of their own. Join the InDOGuration festivities on January 17 to celebrate the return of first dogs to the White House. Major and Champ Biden can't wait!

Meet Champ and Major: The Pets of the New First Family

Major and Champ Biden will bring the tradition of Presidential pets back to the White House after a four-year break. Before 2017, every single first family for over 100 years had an animal member of their family.

NASA HQ to be Named in Honor of Mary W. Jackson

NASA announced Wednesday, June 24th that NASA's Washington, D.C. headquarters will now be named for Mary W. Jackson, the first black, female engineer at NASA.

It Is Time to Stop Wildlife Trafficking

Wildlife trafficking is the world’s fourth largest illegal trade, after drugs, human trafficking, and counterfeiting, says the World Wildlife Fund.

How Frogs Boost Their Sex Appeal

Male frogs form ‘boy bands’ to serenade females and woo them into their mating pool.

99% of Sea Turtles are Now Born Female. Here's Why.

Global warming is creating a crisis in sea turtles' gender ratios, where 99% of them are being born female. Sea turtle populations have been facing a significant population decline further exasperated by climate change.

Are Whale Sharks Now the World’s Largest Omnivore?

A new study finds that whale sharks are the biggest omnivore, disproving previous research on whale sharks’ diets. Researchers were stunned when analyzing whale shark biopsy samples that contained lots of plant material as well as krill material.

Animals Perished in Texas Winter Snowstorm

Hundreds of helpless animals remained unprotected and froze to death in light of Texas’ winter catastrophe.

Taking a Look Back on 2021

It can be hard to truly appreciate how great a year is without taking time to stop and reflect upon it. As we start 2022, I decided to jump on the “best nine photos” of the year social media trend, and I was blown away by what an incredible year of adventure 2021 was! Definitely, a lot more than nine photos, that’s for sure.