10 young and inspiring activists from around the world

When we talk about climate activists, the name Greta Thunberg immediately comes to mind. While the young Swedish activist has made significant strides in raising awareness on issues surrounding climate change and inspiring the global movement 'Fridays For Future' (FFF), there are many other incredible individuals that are leading the way on global climate action to curb global warming and the biggest environmental issues we face today. Here are 10 inspiring climate activists that are making a difference.

1. Xiuhtezcatl Martineza

Also known by the initial ‘X’, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a young environmental activist and advocate for indigenous and marginalised communities that has already made massive waves in the fight against climate change. Martinez has been particularly vocal against the effects of fossil fuels and was one of 21 plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States, a lawsuit filed in 2015 against the US government for the continued use of fossil fuels and their failure to act on climate change. The 21-year-old campaigner (and hip-hop artist) has made speeches at the United Nations on multiple occasions – in English, Spanish and his native language Nahuatl – to highlight how global climate action plays a part in the wider fight against injustice and inequality.

2. Nyombi Morris

This young Ugandan activist is not easily deterred when it comes to climate justice campaigning. In March 2021, Morris was physically threatened, and had his placard and cell phone confiscated when he was protesting for climate action on the street. The year before, his Twitter account was suspended for nearly two months following his television appearance opposing industrial logging in his country’s Bugoma Forest. Morris is fiercely passionate about protecting the environment, especially after discovering Uganda is highly vulnerable to extreme climate events and how the floods that displaced his family is linked to climate change. Aside from planting trees and tackling plastic waste, the climate activist is also making sure everyone has the freedom of speech.

3. Licypriya Kangujam

One of the world’s youngest climate activists, Licypriya Kangujam started advocating for local and global climate action since the age of six, where she protested outside the Indian parliament with a specific set of demands, including air pollution laws and to make climate-change literacy mandatory in schools. Kangujam has since addressed world leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid in 2019, given TEDx talks at least six times, founded ‘The Child Movement’, a young, global climate justice organisation, and travelled to 32 different countries to give speeches and raise support, all before she turned the age of 10.


4. Xiye Bastida

Born to two environmentalists who met at a climate change conference in 1992, this 19-year-old is continuing her family’s legacy and is now one of the most visible young activists in Mexico. Witnessing first hand the severe impacts of climate change when extreme flooding hit their hometown of San Pedro Tultepec in 2015, Bastida is not only lobbying for more aggressive global climate action by governments, but also for greater indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. Bastida wears multiple hats at the same time, from one of the lead organisers of the Fridays for Future in New York City, to the co-founder of 'Re-Earth Initiative', an international not-for-profit organisation that aims to be inclusive and intersectional, as well as sitting on the administration committee of the People’s Climate Movement.


5. Lesein Mutunkei

This Kenyan teenager was driven to take action after learning the shocking impacts of pollution and deforestation while he was at school. But Mutunkei has found a fun way to reforest; by combining it with his love of football. When he was just 12 years old, he founded Trees4Goals with a simple mission: to plant 11 trees every time he scores a goal. Fortunately, he’s a capable footballer, and has planted more than 1,000 trees so far. Mutunkei has also made efforts to encourage schools and football clubs to be more sustainable, attend climate conferences across the world, and working to expand his campaign across Africa.


6. Luisa Neubauer

One of the main organisers of Germany’s Fridays For Future climate strike programme, and often referred to as the ‘German Greta Thunberg’, Luisa Neubauer is advocating for climate policies that surpasses the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. She has previously campaigned for the University of Göttingen to stop investing in fossil fuel industries, as well as educating and endorsing polices such as degrowth. Neubauer is now a member of the German Green Party as well as its youth wing to continue her lobbying efforts.


7. Autumn Peltier

17-year-old Indigenous activist Autumn Peltier is fighting for clean drinking water for First Nation communities in Canada and around the globe. Hailing from Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario, Pletier believes in the universal right to clean drinking water. Her campaign efforts has been drawing attention to the need to respect the sacredness of clean water. In 2019, she was invited to speak at the UN General Assembly, during which she said: “I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again we can’t eat money or drink oil” and continues to fight the fight in bringing access to clean water for Indigenous People across the world.


8. Ella and Amy Meek

As the name of their non-profit suggests, Ella and Amy Meek are two kids (and sisters) fighting against plastic pollution and waste in the UK. The duo started Kids Against Plastic in 2016 at the ages of 10 and 12, and have since picked up more than 100,000 pieces of single-use plastic litter all across the country. The also launched campaign initiatives with over 1,000 schools and over 50 cafés, businesses, and festivals, as well as published a book Be Plastic Clever in 2020. With multiple speaking engagements including a TedX Talk under their belts, you can follow the sisters’ latest campaigns and initiatives on social media, and help make the UK plastic free.


9. Daniel Koto Dagnon

Young, dynamic, passionate, and dedicated to the cause of his community, Benin, Daniel Koto Dagnon focusses on safeguarding and protecting the environment from climate change. With the support of 'Turning Green' – a San Francisco based environmental nonprofit, that works with young people from around the world, Daniel developed a program called Green Amazones that addresses the needs and requests of women leaders and girls in Benin and empowers them to take climate action. “Women have a crucial role to play in the fight against climate change.”– he said – “We need to involve them in the implementation and adaptation of resiliency measures in the face of climate change.”


10. Qiyun Woo

This Singaporean environmental activist and artist is using uniquely stylised illustrations to raise awareness of complex climate issues and sustainability-related causes. From circular economy and sustainable finance to environmental policies and ecology, Woo has managed to engage and educate new (and often younger) audiences on how to make the world more sustainable and the complexities in dealing with the climate crisis. Beyond her educational artworks, Woo works closely with a wide range of stakeholders in the private and public sectors, and civil society, including hosting book clubs on alternative economic models and ecofeminism, as well as producing climate-related content for media outlets such as TODAY online and Singapore Policy Journal.

Why do public markets matter?

Public markets are as old as civilization. They were once a primary channel where people gathered to find the ingredients for their meals. Around the world, for centuries, the buying and selling and exchange of food and other essential products has been transacted in public marketplaces open to all. As urbanisation and industrialisation swept through, in the mid 90th century, public markets started to decline. By 1950s, supermarkets had eclipsed the old public markets in both convenience and sales volume.

Yet, public markets never wholly disappeared and they are making a comeback. In some countries, markets remained an immersive tradition and a cultural experience.  

This September, we saw the return of the original Eco Market, the summer edition at the beautiful Square in Mellieha, and it was great to see the community coming alive again, after three years! 

Eco Market in Mellieha, 2019

Eco Market in Mellieha, 2022

The Eco Market took place during EU Sustainability Mobility Week and on this occasion, we organised several mobility-related activities. For the young ones, we had free balance bikes trials, and there was also a fun obstacle course for kids on bicycle, scooter and skates. There were crafts where children had the opportunity to build their own 'futuristic' vehicle from upcycled materials. Kids also had fun learning new moves at the yoga session, and reflect during a mindfulness session.

For the adults there was an AI workshop, to better understand the role of artificial intelligence in the mobility sector and several info stalls about green jobs and cycling. 

The Eco Market's purpose goes beyong the buying and the selling. Our focus is on inspiring sustainability as a way of life and on public good. Our events create a safe active space for people with like-minded interests to learn, share and give birth to new ideas. We bring diverse people together, from retired tourists enjoying the experience and supporting local small business owners - to young children who ask their parents to take them to the Eco Market! 

As an ethical and sustainable business, we promote public health and well-being, through plant-based food, but also vegan wines, beers and ice-cream. Also all the beauty products are chemical-free and made from natural ingredients, mostly organic. Everything is packed in a sustainable way and there is a 100% ban on all types of single-use plastics. 

Buying with purpose

Supporting small local business owners at markets has several ripple effects. From the point of view of the vendors, it is a unique opportunity. For instance, those who have just started their business have the chance to explain face to face the work behind their product to their prospective customers, while getting confident in their new role and beating the fear and anxiety that inevitably comes with a new business. For seasoned business owners, markets are an additional stream of income, especially those who do not have a brick-and-mortar store.

Buyers, on the other hand, know that purchasing something from a local brand means that the product is made with love and care, as opposed to underpaid labor, and they get to appreciate the creativity rather than seeing mass-consumed objects. They get to meet the artist or creator behind the product and establish a mutually beneficial relationship.

Eco Market vendors and their products are approved according to our sustainability criteria which looks into how the product is made, what raw materials are used, where they came from, the life-shelf of the product, and several other aspects. It is important to mention that we do not look for perfection - for we do not believe such thing exists. We believe in effort, in progress, and in a passionate heart. Therefore brands who do not use any single-use plastic, and tick at least one of our criteria, are welcome to the Eco Market. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

We're looking forward to hold Eco Market's 'Marine Life Fair' next weekend at the Square in front of the Malta National Aquarium. This is a first-of-its-kind event in Malta - a family-friendly weekend jam packed with interesting and marine-themed activities and market stalls. Have a look above for a sneak peak of activities, which will be conducted by professional marine biologists from the Aquarium staff, social enterprises and NGOs. 

Saturday 1 October from 1200 to 1700

Sunday 2 October from 1000 to 1700

Free entrance to the Fair and all the activities.

Free entrance to the Aquarium for 3 kids with every paying adult.

On Sunday 9th October, we will once again be part of 'Genna ta' Gonna' (literally, Heaven of Gardens), the open day of the city of Floriana, with all its wondrous gardens which will be open to the public, along with many other attractions of the locality.

You can find the stalls of the Eco Market on the sidewalk near the main bus terminus between Floriana and Valletta from 1000 to 1700. We are planning an exciting and varied list of stalls which will include pre-loved thrifting and vintage clothing, vegan bakery and desserts, handmade luxury candles, jewellery, kids clothes, handsewn cushions, contemporary home decor, and a unique artisanal ice-cream. 

If you are looking for a unique and purposeful shopping experience, you know where we are! Looking forward to seeing you there 💚🌍🌱

Eco Market at Genna ta' Gonna 2019

Climate-neutrality by 2030 for Gozo

On 28th April 2022, the EU Commission announced the 100 cities selected for a mission in becoming a carbon-neutral and smart city by 2030. 

"The green transition is making its way all over Europe right now. But there's always a need for trailblazers, who set themselves even higher goals. These cities are showing us the way to a healthier future." said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission. 

The selected cities will receive €360 million in funding from the EU Horizon project, to start the innovation paths towards achieving climate-neutrality by 2030. The research and innovation actions will address clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning.

At the Paris Agreement in 2015, over 98% of the world's nation leaders pledged to become climate-neutral by 2050. These recently selected 100 EU cities embarked on a quest to get to that achievement by 2030; becoming climate pioneers and an example for others to follow. 

What exactly is climate neutrality?

Climate neutrality refers to the idea of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing those emissions so they are equal (or less than) the emissions that get removed through the planet's natural absorption; in basic terms it means we reduce our emissions through climate action. A net-zero world is a world where global emissions are in balance with what is naturally absorbed in 'sinks' such as forests and oceans. 

Is it just about carbon dioxide?

No, it's about all gases that are harmful to the climate, such as methane and nitrodius oxide, as well as hydroluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. This is not an exhaustive list, but for now, think of greenhouse gases as a catch-all term for the harmful substances we are pumping into the atmosphere. 

Where does carbon offsetting fit into this?

Climate neutrality means that you bring your emissions down to zero. This applies to both individuals and organisations. Many organisations are not able to reduce their emissions to zero immediately - as it will take a number of years for them to make the technological investments and change the baits that climate neutrality requires. That is why the path to net zero starts yesterday. Organisations can - in addition to the reductions that they can start making now - also invest in emission reductions outside their organisation, known as 'offsets'.

This option helps accelerate the global effort to reduce emissions and puts a 'carbon price' on their own organisation, providing an economic incentive to reduce their own emissions quicker. Purchasing compensation units is also an option available to individuals and households, as - similarly to organisations - they will have difficulties becoming climate neutral immediately. Offsets are not a long-term solution, and they don't replace the need for you or your organisation to go to zero as fast as possible, but they do provide a way to accelerate that journey. 

The way forward for Gozo 

Sectors that will need addressing are Energy & Buildings, Food System, Green Infrastructure, Transportation, Water and Waste. But a climate-friendly city is also a people-friendly city. Issues such as the wellbeing, health, environment, equity, livability and the synergies in between, must be taken into consideration. The pathways for change lie heavily on technology and innovation, science, business and finance, policy and governance, behavioural change and integrative scenarios. 

Your journey to net-zero

You start by measuring or estimating your emissions. Check out this online calculator to measure the emissions from your household.

List of the 100 climate-neutral and smart cities:

Aarhus, Copenhagen and Sonderborg in Denmark

Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Helmond, Groningen, Rotterdam, The Hague, Ultrecht in the Netherlands

Espoo, Helsinki, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Tampere, Turku in Finland

Gavle, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmo, Stockholm, Umea in Sweden

Antwerp, Brussels Capital Region, La Louviere, Leuven in Belgium

Cork and Dublin in Ireland

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Valladolid, Vittoria-Gastelz, Zaragosa in Spain

Gulmaraes, Lisbon, Porto in Portugal

Angers Loire, Bordeaux, Dijon, Dunkerque, Grenoble-Alpes, Metropole, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Paris in France

Llepaja and Riga in Latvia

Taurage and Wilnius in Lithuania

Krakow, Lodz, Rzeszow, Warsaw, Wroclaw in Poland

Liberec in the Czech Republic

Bergamo, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Padova, Parma, Prato, Rome, Turin in Italy

Bratislava and Kosice in Slovakia

Budapest, Miskolc, Pecs in Hungary

Gabrovo and Sofia in Bulgaria

Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Suceava in Romania

Athens, Ionnina, Kalamata, Kozani, Thessalonki, Trikala in Greece

Limassol in Cyprus

Zagreb in Croatia

Kranj, Ljubljana, Velenje in Slovenia

Klagenfurt in Austria

Aachen, Dortmund, Dresden, Frankfurt, Heldelberg, Lelpzig, Mannhelm, Munich, Muster in Germany

Gozo in Malta

8 tips for market vendors to embrace sustainability

Market season have started and we shall be enjoying at least 3 more months of good weather this summer to hold open-air markets. The question we are often asked is: 'How do I become an eco-vendor?'.

In this blog post, we are sharing 8 tips for artisans and small business owners to help them embrace sustainability and by taking on at least some of these tips, they will automatically become eligible to participate at our Eco Markets. 

We do not seek vendors who are perfectly sustainable. We believe in effort, good will, dedication and commitment - and work with vendors who are willing to do that something extra, that something different, in order to safeguard the planet. Whichever of these tips you decide to adopt for your business, it is important to maintain your core values and ethics throughout your entire business. For instance, it would be dysfunctional to minimize the packaging, while at the same time offering a product stained with human or natural exploitation. Sustainable business owners don't look for profit only; they look for a profit with purpose.

The road to sustainability is a different journey defined by each business. It depends on how the business owner sees sustainability, what s/he wants to achieve, and what will guide him/her towards those goals. The issues that you pick should have a significant economic, social, and environmental impact. For example, conservation of water may be material to a company like Coca-Cola, but not for Google, which may focus more on clean and efficient energy solutions. 

Let's have a look at the proposed tips

1. Sourcing Materials

When you source locally you cut down on fuel emissions and pollution generated by transportation, usually across continents. A locally-sourced product has a much smaller carbon footprint. Small businesses depend on their local communities to survive and your support will also make it easier for you to build a lasting, trustworthy partnership with your suppliers when you can meet them face-toface. Sourcing locally will also boost your brand and sales because research shows that people are willing to pay a bit more for a product that provides value to the local community and the planet. Moreover, a locally sourced and produced product fosters national pride.

Set up a policy where you clearly explain your supply chain values and morals. Then research for suppliers that match the same ethical guidelines. Establish a trust relationship with your suppliers and keep track of their work and their progress.

2. Packaging

The most sustainable kind of packaging to use is corrugated cardboard. They have exceptional reusability and can be 100% recycled. Paper packaging is recyclable and can also be compostable. All kinds of single-use plastic should be banned. It is one of the main culprits of pollution, and harms the environment before being manufactured and long after its short-lived life. Styrofoam (jablo) is also to be avoided. Plastic is acceptable only when it strong, durable, and can be reused an unlimited number of times.

Several options are still in their early days, like mushroom packaging, seaweed packaging, peanut packaging that dissolves with water, and bioplastics, made from various renewable plants such as cornstarch and straw. These eco-packaging alternatives are becoming more and more in demand and soon will be globally available and accessible.

3. Shipping & delivery

After you have established environmentally-friendly packaging options, it is time to educate your consumers on how to recycle, or how they can re-use your packaging. A small note on the packaging illustrating how to dispose of it or some creative repurposing ideas will have a great impact on the consumer experience. Also, you need to ensure that your packaging is no bigger than it needs to be to hold your product and without any superfluous layers. It could be tempting to beautify your packaging and make it look more attractive, however, your ecoconscious consumers will certainly appreciate the simplicity and eco-features of your packaging.

To cushion and protect your products, especially for fragile items, avoid bubble wrap unless it is being re-used. Some alternatives include shredded paper from newspapers and magazines, or be creative and use fabric from unwanted pieces of clothes.

4. Go 'Green'

Whether you work from home, or in an office, there are several ways to 'green' your own working space, which you can start doing already today, such as: convert to LEDs, turn off lights and unplug all electronics at the end of the day, reduce on printing, use both sides of the paper, recycle properly, and include a green reminder in your email signature; these can make a big difference on the environment and your pocket in the long run.

If you want and can take it a step further, you can opt for a small solar panel to fuel your working space, sort out your trash more carefully, buy a re-usable notepad, opt for  online meetings instead of in-person, or at least car-pool or cycle to meetings, and choose eco-friendly office products, from your coffee to your printer. Don't forget to add a plant or two. Plants do more than just make the place look pretty; they absorb air pollution, help reduce stress, increase productivity, and boost creativity.

5. Waste reduction

By establishing environmentally friendly packaging protocols, and taking a number of easy steps towards greening your working space, you are already contributing to the decrease of waste. You can also start choosing your electronic equipment carefully by researching for brands that hold up to your same environmental standards and values. Choose companies who incentivize their clients to return their old electronic when buying a new one, for example. E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. The majority of these end up in landfills but many of the materials can be recovered, reused, and recycled. Disposing of electronic equipment responsibly not only reduces environmental impact but also creates green jobs and empowers the social economy.

Watch out for Waste Reduction Week in October for ideas and opportunities. 

6. Raise the life-cycle

When we throw away something, it still needs to go somewhere. As a sustainable business, you need to consider how you can increase and elevate your product's life cycle and delay it's throwing 'away' for as long as possible. This will largely depend on your industry, however, and will involve decisions on your manufacturing process and price strategy. For instance, certain materials are more durable than others but may be more expensive.

Other ideas you can examine include a return and refill scheme where customers can return the original container and re-fill it again; or a return and discount scheme, where customers can return the original packaging or part, and purchase a new one at a reduced price. Alternatively, you can use your influential power to give ideas to your customers on how they can re-purpose and re-use without resorting to landfills.

7. Get verified

Certification provides a guarantee that a product is truly ecological as it claims and is regularly controlled. To provide an element of trust to the customer, certification can only be issued by an independent body. There are several verifications bodies in Europe, specializing in different sectors, however, the most popular ones are Ecolabel and B Corp.

The advantages of eco-verification include a cutting-edge advantage in respect to your competitors, customer loyalty, community recognition, a trust-worthy and good reputation, economic benefits arising from your thoughtful initiatives, and the confidence that your business is truly making a positive impact, Getting verified is not free but the annual fees vary according to the business's income. There is also the B Impact Assessment, a free online platform that evaluates your business and helps you get started.

8. Marketing

As an eco-friendly small business owner, you should be proud of showing your commitment to being socially responsible and doing your part to protect the environment, so make sure your customers know it. Incorporate your green efforts into your marketing strategy. You may want to ask for more 'green' ideas directly from your customers; their insight will certainly be extremely valuable to you. Communicate sustainability at every opportunity to ingrain it into people's minds and in your subconscious. If you are implementing a significant new eco-innovation in your business, you might want to reconsider re-branding in order to re-align your image with your new purpose.

Before you start marketing your green biz, make sure you  are practising what you preach. or chances are that more sooner than later, you'll be exposed for greenwashing and cause irreparable damage to your business.

Eco Market will be hosting a Midsummer's Night Market at the most anticipated, family-friendly summer festival - The Farsons Beer Fest - at Ta' Qali. We will be showcasing some of Malta's top eco-friendly brands and products, in a beautiful area under the shade of this cluster of trees.

Applications for vendors are now out. 

Click here to see terms and rates.