Crystal-clear waters, spotless beaches and untouched forests often look effortless in films and travel adverts. In reality, many of the world’s most beautiful places face growing threats from pollution, deforestation and climate change.
Thankfully, environmental activists across the globe continue to raise awareness, challenge governments and corporations, and inspire millions of people to protect the planet. Here are some of the most influential and famous environmental activists you should know.
Jamie Margolin
During her early teens, Jamie, along with other environmental activists, co-founded Zero Hour. This was a youth climate action organization and movement that garnered a lot of recognition and attention.
Jamie is a Colombian-American who experienced the effects of wildfires in her home state of Washington. The experience inspired Margolin to co-found Zero Hour, a youth-led climate movement focused on environmental justice and political action. Jamie, with 12 other youth environmentalists, sued the state over those fires in 2018.
Although they did not win, this made a huge impact and led to dozens of youth climate marches.
Winona LaDuke
Winona LaDuke is another personality who has dedicated her life to Native American land rights, environmental justice, and climate change. As a Harvard-educated Ojibwe Tribe member, Winona has helped found the Indigenous Women’s Network and Honor the Earth.
Honor the Earth also played an important role in supporting the resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline, helping bring international attention to Indigenous land rights and environmental protection. Winona also founded the White Earth Land Recovery Project, which aims to buy back indigenous land from non-Natives, create employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, and grow wild rice – authentic Ojibwe food.
Greta Thunberg
You would have probably heard about the young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, at 16 years old she made headlines and gathered a lot of fame through her Fridays for Future movement. Greta Thunberg first made headlines at the age of 15 after launching her “School Strike for Climate,” which later became the global Fridays for Future movement.
Greta was very young when her activism started. In the initial period, she convinced her parents to make some lifestyle changes, including reducing the family’s carbon footprint by changing their diet, limiting air travel and adopting more sustainable lifestyle choices.
All of this was done in an attempt to decrease their carbon footprint.
Julia Hill
Julia “Butterfly” Hill became internationally recognised after dedicating her life to forest conservation following a near-fatal car accident in 1996. She lived in the branches of an old 200-foot-tall redwood tree in northern California for two years to save it from being cut down.
She named the tree Luna and vacated it only after striking a deal with the Pacific Lumber Company. The deal stated that Luna, along with all other trees within a 200-foot buffer zone, would be preserved. The $50,000 raised by Julia’s supporters was eventually donated to Humboldt State University, which was then used for sustainable forestry research.
These are some of the many people who were able to look beyond the movies that depict Oceans Plastic Free, which caused a major impact and helped us understand the impacts of climate change.
Paul Watson
Paul Watson is a Canadian environmental activist and marine conservationist best known for founding the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in 1977. A former member of Greenpeace, Watson became convinced that more direct action was needed to protect marine wildlife from illegal whaling, overfishing and habitat destruction. Over the decades, Sea Shepherd vessels have confronted whaling fleets and illegal fishing operations around the world, bringing international attention to the threats facing the world’s oceans.
Although Watson’s methods have often proved controversial, he has become one of the most recognisable figures in marine conservation. His campaigns have helped expose illegal whaling and inspired a new generation of ocean activists, making him one of the most influential environmental campaigners of the modern era.
David Attenborough
Few people have done more to inspire global environmental awareness than Sir David Attenborough.
Over a career spanning more than seven decades, the legendary broadcaster and natural historian has introduced millions of people to the wonders of the natural world through acclaimed documentaries such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Our Planet. In recent years, Attenborough has become one of the world’s strongest voices on climate change, biodiversity loss and conservation, urging governments and individuals alike to take action before irreversible damage is done.
His work has inspired generations to appreciate and protect the planet, making him one of the most influential environmental advocates in history, while having the most beautiful voice to accompany a documentary espousing these concerns!
Dr Jane Goodall (1934 to 2025)
Few individuals have had a greater influence on conservation than Dr Jane Goodall. A pioneering primatologist, ethologist and environmental activist, Goodall transformed the world’s understanding of chimpanzees through her groundbreaking research in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Beginning in 1960, she became the first scientist to document wild chimpanzees making and using tools, overturning the long-held belief that toolmaking was unique to humans. Her observations forever changed the way scientists viewed our closest living relatives and helped redefine humanity’s place in the natural world.
As her research continued, Goodall’s focus expanded far beyond scientific discovery. She became one of the world’s most respected voices for wildlife conservation, spending decades campaigning to protect endangered species, preserve natural habitats and encourage more sustainable ways of living. Through the Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, and the global Roots & Shoots programme, she inspired millions of young people to become environmental stewards in their own communities. Her message was always rooted in hope, compassion and the belief that every individual has the power to make a positive difference.
Dr Goodall passed away peacefully on 1 October 2025 at the age of 91, leaving behind one of the greatest environmental legacies of the modern era. Tributes poured in from scientists, conservationists and world leaders, all recognising her extraordinary contribution to wildlife conservation and environmental education. Although she is no longer with us, her life’s work continues through the organisations she founded and the countless people she inspired to protect the natural world for future generations.
What Do Environmental Activists Do?
Environmental activists work to protect the natural world by raising awareness of environmental issues, campaigning for policy changes and encouraging individuals, businesses and governments to adopt more sustainable practices. While some focus on climate change, others dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife, preserving forests, cleaning up oceans or defending Indigenous land rights.
Activism can take many forms, including peaceful protests, scientific research, education, legal action and conservation projects. Some environmental activists work with charities and non-profit organisations, while others use social media, documentaries or public speaking to inspire millions of people around the world.
Although their methods differ, environmental activists share the same goal: protecting the planet for future generations. Whether campaigning against deforestation, reducing plastic pollution or restoring endangered ecosystems, their efforts continue to shape environmental policy and encourage positive change across the globe.
