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Top 15 Sustainability Influencers To Follow

Grace Donelson

09 Dec 2020 · 4 min read

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Sustainability has become a hot topic on social media, with influencers of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds spreading awareness and taking action to save the Earth.

Consumers are taking more notice than ever before which brands are joining and furthering the sustainability conversation. Companies who use social media to share their sustainability efforts, and who partner with influencers who are helping spread the message are seeing higher rates of customer loyalty and brand likeability.

Beyond furthering an important cause, it's worth noting that sustainability sells. According to recent research, consumers say that a brand's sustainability practice influences their purchasing decisions. In fact, Nielsen states that the US sustainability market is projected to reach $160 Billion in 2020. It's clear that consumers want to support brands that align with their personal values, especially when it comes to eco-friendly practices.

Using the Tagger platform, we found these 15 sustainability influencers educating followers on environmentalism and participating in eco-activism worldwide. Some are scientists, some are kids, but what these influencers all have in common is a passion for creating an Earth to better serve human prosperity and posterity.

  1. Bill Nye (@billnye) - CEO of The Planetary Society, Bill Nye has become a household name for many, teaching about science through his television programs and bringing awareness to climate change. Nye’s Instagram features collaborations with brands such as Chipotle and Orbitz, as well as a growth rate that has skyrocketed over the past few months.
  2. Xiye Bastida (@xiyebeara) - At only 18 years old, Bastida has already wowed the world with Ted Talks and become a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. Bastida is also the co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, an international youth foundation fighting for social and climate justice. Her platform only continues to grow, boasting high engagement rates and collaborations with Levis, Revolve, and Vogue.
  3. Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) - Working with her family through the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide nonprofit and the Irwin-owned Australia Zoo, Irwin’s advocacy focuses on wildlife, her Instagram regularly featuring rescued wildlife. Irwin’s engagement rate is over double the benchmark on her Instagram and Twitter, both of which also feature sponsored posts with Disney.
  4. Isra Hirsi (@israhirsi) - Featured on the cover of Teen Vogue’s November 2020 issue, Hirsi co-founded and served as the co-executive director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike. Boosted by her recent features in magazines as well as Ted Talks, Hirsi’s platform continues to grow at a steady pace.
  5. Phil Torres (@phil_torres) - Host of YoutubeTV’s The Jungle Diaries and Discovery’s ExpeditionX, Torres’ work features mainly neotropical regions and brings awareness to these ecosystems. With over 16 sponsored posts with brands like Native, Microsoft, The Nature Conservancy, and Seedling, Torres’ Instagram activity has paid off in his positive growth rate.
  6. Mari Copeny (@littlemissflint) - Also known as Little Miss Flint, Copeny is best known for raising awareness about Flint, Michigan’s water crisis, and fundraising to support underprivileged children in her community. Through collaborations with brands including Degree, Nike, and Burt’s Bees.
  7. Paul Nicklen (@paulnicklen) - Wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist, Nicklen is a contributor to National Geographic and co-founder of Sea Legacy, a nonprofit working to create healthy and abundant oceans. Through collaborations with National Geographic, Sony Alpha, and multiple other brands, some of Nicklen’s sponsored posts have a reach of 18 million engagements.
  8. Cristina Mittermeier (@mitty) - Conservationist photographer, writer, and UN Ambassador, Mittermeier is a co-founder of Sea Legacy and was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the year in 2018. Beyond Mittermeier’s collaborations with brands, she has been mentioned by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Momoa, and other celebs and influencers.
  9. Caroline Gleich (@carolinegleich) - Through her ventures as a skier and mountaineer, Gleich’s work as an environmental activist has come with the terrain. Recently raising 50k with a 50-mile run, Gleich has an active following that has grown by 10k in recent months. Gleich also has over 130 sponsored collaborations on her profiles ranging from technology brands to outdoor gear.
  10. Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (@xiuhtezcatl) - Hip hop artist and youth director of Earth Guardians, Martinez has given three ted talks and was invited to speak before the United Nations Assembly as a teen. His platform has grown by 15% in 2020 alone, boosted by mentions from artists and activists such as Shailene Woodley, Miley Cyrus, and Willow Smith.
  11. Ami Vitale (@amivitale) - Her profile growing by over 100k in the last year, Vitale has been featured in National Geographic and multiple other publications for her photography and filmmaking. Vitale’s platform has sponsored collaborations with brands such as REI, Facebook, and The Photo Society.
  12. Jamie Margolin (@jamie_s_margolin) - Author of Youth To Power and co-founder of Zero Hour, Margolin testified before congress with Greta Thunberg over greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington. Her writing has been featured in CNN, Huffington Post, and Teen Ink.
  13. Winona Laduke (@winonaladuke) - With a 30% increase in followers in 2020, LaDuke has been at the forefront of American environmentalists for over 40 years. LaDuke’s sponsored mentions feature the likes of Native and Whole Foods, her profile regularly being mentioned by celebs like Jane Fonda and Rosario Dawson.
  14. Mikaela Loach (@mikaelaloach) - Climate justice and antiracism activist Loach is the co-host of the Yikes podcast, covering world issues and focusing on sustainability with inclusivity. Loach has partnered with multiple brands including Greenpeace, Impact, Toms, and over 15 other brands, contributing to her positive growth rate.
  15. Leah Thomas (@greengirlleah) - Founder of Intersectional Environmentalist and The Green Girls Collective, Thomas’ Instagram following spiked majorly in the past months, jumping from 14.5k in late May to 179.5k currently. Thomas’s work as an activist and eco-communicator can be seen in her social media profiles, featuring partnerships with other sustainable brands such as Impact, Cuyana, and Sunrun.

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