Inspiring Heros: Nat Geo's 33 Changemakers

They had me at Harrison Ford. 

So I dug a little deeper and I was enraptured and captured by all 33 of National Geographic's "33 Changemakers" for 2026.

I love every way about how Nat Geo celebrates these environmental stewards, inspiring inovators, and bold thinkers. These people who have a commitment to the greater good of our planet and our people. They serve as leaders who model responsibility, perserverance and the power of activism and human impact. 

On National Geographic's Facebook Page, they shared some video shorts of each of these changemakers, speaking about what speaks to them. Here's the one that grabbed me and left me searching for more: 

To meet each and every one of this year's visionaries, go to their 33 Changemakers site and click to read about these remarkable people. (From there too, you can click a link to take a peek at the 2025 list as well.) From ocean advocates to climate technologists to explorers, defenders, pioneers, innovators, and more...who are from Hollywood indigenous tribes, and other global corners... these 33 leaders are passionate in their stewardship. Every one is worth clicking on to read their bios, then clicking in more to check out their deeper story.

For more video shorts and other videos about these innovators, go to Nat Geo's Channel and their 33 Changemakers links. 

Here is an overview of NatGeo's inaugural 33 Changemaker introduction last year.

Image from https://www.instagram.com/p/DV-_TYxlvvi/, Videos  from: https://youtu.be/79kLkjGR3JU?si=eZo4xs2mC10N7MmR (from the National Geographic 33 Changemakers of 2025) and https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1H5isyFN5R/

April 3rd: Jane Goodall Day

Jane Goodall has been a powerful influence on my environmental development since April 4th, 2008. It was a day after her 74th birthday, and she was visiting my new-to-me school: Gibson Island Country School. It was a Roots & Shoots Fair where she was the keynote speaker at this little school on the Chesapeake Bay, and I wasn't sure how I'd won this lottery. 

I was in awe of her level of serene powerhouse, especially when she made her iconic chimpanzee hoot for all to hear. 

Needless to say, I was quite saddened when she passed away last year on October 1, 2025. She's legendary, heroic, a woman ahead of her time, and was a non-stop agent of conservation and environmental stewardship.

To commemorate her lifetime of planetary achievements the Jane Goodall Institute has marked April 3rd as Jane Goodall Day as a global day of action. This year, she would have turned 92 on her birthday. Going forward, April 3rd will be an annual environmental day of celebration worldwide for this humanitarian and UN Messenger of Peace. A holder of hope, we need Jane Goodall's vision, enthusiasm, grit, and perseverance ... now more than ever!

In honor of Jane Goodall Day, you have two tasks today:

1. Learn more about Jane Goodall Day and Jane's legacy here at the Jane Goodall Institute. 

2. Go forth that day with a "Because of Jane, I will..." attitude of action. What can you do that would be "100% Jane Approved" for your neighborhood, community, world around you? Need some inspirational ideas, try one or more of these, and certainly come up with some of your own:

• Plant a tree, a pollinator plant, or some other local flora to support native wildlife.
• Go on a litter-pick up expedition somewhere in your community.
• Spend time outside taking in nature, sharpening your observation skills. 
• Reduce your plastic consumption by planning ahead with reusables.
• Write a letter/email to your local leaders/politicians to work for environmental protections.
• Learn about endangered species and spread the word.
• Donate to a wildlife conservation organization.
• Share the importance of Jane Goodall Day and her vision with friends and family to inspire others to take big or small actions.
• Spread kindness and patience so that ripple of empathy can move forward to others. We certainly need more of that!

Be inspired by Jane Goodall's spirit of hope and action. Because of Jane, what can you do to continue her legacy? What is one small, specific way you can live differently for this shared planet on April 3rd?

Image from https://www.greenteamgazette.com/2025/10/saying-goodbye-to-dr-jane-goodall.html with my photos taken from Jane Goodall's April 4th, 2008 visit to my school: Gibson Island Country School, which later became named Eagle Cove School; video from https://youtube.com/shorts/RguwGQGLyNY?si=Y0hTEAxdDpvHhUdh, quote image from https://blog.sleepingangel.com/jane-goodall-quote/

Earth Hour Tonight: 8:30--9:30 pm Your Time Zone

As mentioned in my last post, the 20th Anniversary of Earth Hour is upon us: tonight. Be inspired. Be present. Do something in that hour to give it planetary power through commitment, knowledge, thought, education, inspiration, stewardship. Be a part of something bigger than you.

What will you do tonight from 8:30-9:30 in your time zone?

Banner from https://www.earthhour.org/resources/brand-resource-center and video from https://youtu.be/AHhq1PtjANQ?si=D9357S36mKeoRNcZ

A Lesser-Plastic Lifestyle

I landed on these infographics on Plastic Pollution Coalition's February 28, 2026 Facebook Post. These make for great reminders and helpful hints if you are trying to cut down on your own plastic consumption.

For more ways to work on reducing your plastic use, check out these websites:

• The EPA's page "What You Can Do to Reduce Plastic Waste
• Eco-cycle's "Reduce Your Plastic Use page.
• The University of Maryland's Center of Environmental Science "PlasticWatch: What Can I Do" page (which has a wealth of ideas, resources, links and apps to help your quest for a lesser-plastic-lifestyle.

Images from https://www.facebook.com/PlasticPollution/posts/pfbid02rALGPo6wGa91AN2QwUnD5U76GeRxQp3D72hZLyj5oXRHgThsT2WmVnUHCaoTtYzbl

Global Green Holiday Rituals

With the holidays upon us, a lot of global holidays have built-in green rituals. Cultures worldwide can inspire us to find our own new holiday traditions with a festive flair of sustainability. Maybe you can weave one of these into your seasonal holidays this year.

German Christian markets, known as Weihnachtsmärkte, have both a lively, festive atmosphere and a focus on local handicrafts. Homemade gifts are the center of sustainability with their wooden ornaments, beeswax candles, and repurposed crafts all made by local artisans. This tradition encourages shoppers to buy items that last, support the community, and reduce commercialized packaging and transportation waste. Plus, the market stalls, lights, music, and camaraderie build up a social, community vibe.

If you found yourself in Finland on Christmas eve, you'd find yourself in the middle of a warm and toasty wood-fired sauna tradition! The heating of the sauna, bringing in natural birch branches, and focusing on the peace that comes from within. Family gather together feasts of local food helps cherish the joy of simplicity, the connection of families with nature, and the peach of the season.

"Down Under" in Australia and across southern Africa, December means summer. Given the seasonal warmth, families come outdoors to host festive gatherings and picnics. Fresh, local produce is at the center of these. Additionally, many folks add traditions such as kplanting native trees or organizing beach clean ups. What a wonderful way to combine celebrations, stewardship, and joy... nurturing nature along the way.

The Japanese custom of furoshiki transforms gift-giving into a creative art. Instead of using paper or plastic to wrap gifts, beautiful cloth is used to elegantly wrap presents. This is at the height of recycling and reusing materials, significantly cutting down waste. It is a delightful way to wrap a gift in love... for both the recipient and the planet!

Scottish Hagmanay traditions mark the New Year with renewal-centered rituals. The families "redd" their homes, meaning they thoroughly clean them out. This extends to local parks & waterways to community clean ups, symbollizing the fresh start to both their home & environment. Likewise, many Native American Winter Solstice ceremonies give thanks to the earth & harvest, over shared meals & planting trees.

From European cities to Asian villages, lantern and light festivals highlight the return of longer days. Handmade lanterns and candles fill the streeets. The bounty of light serves as metaphors for hope, environmental renewal, and community togetherness. Lanterns are often made of recycled or natural materials and occasionally use reusable lights. Community clean-ups also mark the festival of lights.

In this commemoration of global rituals, one thing stands out: celebration and conservation can go hand in hand. Whether it’s supporting local artisans, decorating with natural items, working together as a community to take part in a clean up, or living life with a simpler approach... joy and sustainability serve each other beautifully. 

What lessons can you take from these traditions this year?

All images created in Canva.com.