Climate Millionaire with Abby Damen

Where in the world are you?
Wellington, New Zealand

What do you do in the world?
I run my own non-profit organisation/blog called Saving 2050 that's dedicated to sharing practical information about sustainable lifestyles. I am also the director of Shut Up & Dance, which is a relaxed dance class that falls in the health and fitness industry. I am an actress and freelance designer.

In one sentence, what is climate change?
Climate change is a change in global and/or regional climate patterns that has the potential to compromise earth's delicate ecosystem.

How does climate change affect your life?
Climate change affects my life practically through drastic changes in weather and emotionally when I see that the lifestyles of certain species are being compromised.

What do you feel you can do about it?
Foster supportive environments for people to discuss climate change, in order to understand it. I can run initiatives and campaigns to increase awareness with the ultimate goal of making sustainable living the easiest way to live (rather than a challenge, as many people find it can be).

Do you feel there is more you could do? If so, what is stopping you from doing those things?
Yes I do feel there is more I could do. Bureaucracy and a lack of environmentally inspired policy implementation combined makes it challenging to feel like you're making a difference on both an individual and national level.

What's your favourite Sunday afternoon activity?
Spending time catching up with friends or family; a walk, swim, coffee...
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Extra for experts: Do you remember how you first became active in climate change?
Was there something specific that triggered you to act? How old were you then? How old are you now?
I remember asking a vegetarian friend why she didn't eat meat and she told me that as well as animal rights being a precursor in her decision, the environment was suffering as a result of the increasing amount of meat humans consume annually.