I am learning as I grow, not longer focusing on how little power I have as just one person, but on the huge power I have when I’m joining forces with you and others who are ready to make a difference.

I am a 27-year-old Italian in love with the Earth. My dad is a forest ranger and my mom is a social worker; I believe this is why I care so much about nature and people. I would hug every tree I see.

I moved to Portugal to do a Master in Environment and Sustainability. That’s when I truly understood the extent of what we’re going through. The first period was tough, filled with eco-anxiety and the feeling of not being enough to help the planet.

My eco-anxiety showed itself through panic attacks, sitting on the floor crying every time I’d read a scientific article about the future of our planet and our species. With every article I learnt more and more about the impact humans’ activities have on the planet and, as a result, the impact climate change has on humans.

I started to research ways to reduce my environmental footprint and I found an amazing community of conscious and responsible people. After some time, I realized that I was enough and that as individuals we all have an impact on our world and a responsibility to start with ourselves.

I learnt about zero waste and adopted a low impact lifestyle, then I created an Instagram account I’ve been using ever since as a platform for digital environmental activism. I love to see people around me change habits, and I love seeing systems being challenged and changed because of the pressure we’re creating. What a power we have.

The journey ahead of us is going to be challenging, but together we can make change happen. I am personally learning as I grow, no longer focusing on how little power I have as just one person, but on the huge power I have when I’m joining forces with you and others who are ready to act and make a difference.

Story by a Anna Masiello Anna is the founder of the circular fashion brand R-Coat turning broken umbrellas into coats and accessories.

Art by Luise Hesse. Luise is a German illustrator and part of Climate Illustrated’s art team.