Bonnie Wright

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a lover of Planet Earth and turn to her for most of my inspiration. My whole life, I have been a storyteller of sorts – through acting, writing, directing, and advocating for our climate. My current focus in life and work is to deepen our connection to the living world we belong to.

What inspired you to create Hello Earthling?

During almost ten years of communicating climate issues through my storytelling, the biggest lesson I learned was that, at our core, we have lost a sense of belonging and love for the living world we are a part of. This has separated our actions from their repercussions.

Becoming a mother, I recognized that children are born with an innate connection to other living beings, and I believe it’s incredibly important that we help them never lose that connection. I wanted to create a community and resource for parents navigating this, so I started Hello Earthling. Our newest offering is the Earthling Kids Club; a weekly printable activity membership for little earthlings: hands-on, screen-free, and designed to keep kids connected to themselves and the world around them.

How has becoming a mother shifted your understanding of environmental responsibility?

Becoming a mother has strengthened my belief that all change begins locally and internally. If we don’t first learn to love the living world and truly feel that we belong to it, then we will never grow up wanting to protect it like it’s a member of our family.

Watching my son learn things for the first time and witnessing his innate connection to the living world makes me realize that we are born with a responsibility and desire to care, it’s not something we need to learn. I think we need to focus on what and who makes us lose that connection. As parents, it’s our responsibility to keep our kids connected to the living world they are a part of.

What sustainable habits have made the biggest difference in your own life?

Being curious about the brands I choose to buy from, questioning broad sustainability claims and taking the time to look into ingredients and materials has made a big difference. I’m a visual person and like to imagine the journey something has taken before it gets to me, and what its afterlife will be.

I would say the most impactful habit is shifting our mindset: to be curious and compassionate. My goal is to be an imperfect, evolving human, always seeking alternative options where possible, while recognizing where policies and systems don’t make it easy or fair for everyone.

What small daily rituals connect your family to nature?

Going for walks in our neighborhood and noticing local native plants and animals. Our son Elio is in a phase of learning so many new words, so we love naming what we see. He also really responds to concepts and ideas through stories, so choosing books that focus on the living world has been a special way to connect.

Another playful way is through food, when we’re cooking and eating, we talk about how the food was grown, along with its tastes and textures.

What’s one sustainable change you think everyone could realistically make tomorrow?

I usually say I don’t believe there is one single change, as everyone’s lives are so uniquely different, what we have access to, our lifestyles, and what we’re interested in. I encourage people to find their personal change, as they’re more likely to commit to it long-term.

But if I had to choose one, I would say to eat seasonally. We all eat, and we make choices every day. If we eat what is in season, it’s more likely that it was grown closer to home and therefore traveled less distance to reach our plate.

What’s your favorite way to incorporate ACTIVIST into your day?

I’m usually a morning ritual person, but recently I’ve been enjoying an evening dessert of yogurt, walnuts, fresh fruit, and ACTIVIST Mānuka honey. We eat dinner early as a family, so I’m often hungry again before bed.