Name

Doorae Shin

Location

Hawaii, USA

What was your ‘eureka’ moment for getting into sustainability?

Much of my life, I grew up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. Without many experiences in nature, my childhood lacked an appreciation for this planet. When I moved to Hawaii at the age of 18, I was swept away by the breathtaking splendor of mother earth, and around the same time, I began to learn about the vulnerability to climate change humanity is facing today. I decided to dedicate my life to environmental advocacy and the awakening of consciousness of fellow humans to their responsibility to care for the planet we all love, enjoy and depend upon each day.

What have you been doing on sustainability since?

After winning the 2014 Brower Youth Award for passing a ban on styrofoam at the University of Hawaii, I work for the Kōkua Hawaii Foundation, a non-profit founded by Jack & Kim Johnson, which serves schools and youth by providing environmental education to children so that they may be lifelong stewards of the earth. With a focus on plastic pollution and zero-waste living, I manage the Plastic Free Hawaii program and teach school-aged youth about the impacts of our throwaway culture. On the side, I am an activist for food justice and veganism as a solution to climate change and spiritual insecurity.

What’s your vision for reaching a sustainable future?

My vision for a sustainable future is one of a collective consciousness including a profound reverence of nature and more of humanity living in communities to live intentionally in line with their natural surroundings and in respect to the natural resources of our planet.

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