Jessica
“To me, being a woman means harnessing my instincts of nurture and collaboration to help create strong movements, fighting for social justice and a better future for all life on earth.”
Jessica is a dynamic and dedicated climate psychologist, activist and writer, who is passionate about environmental protection and social justice. She utilizes her platform to educate others about the dangers facing our planet and the legal strategies being enacted around these threats — helping to mobilize, educate, and empower others along the way. Her work encompasses a range of crucial topics, such as mental health, poverty, healthcare, and racism; this approach helps to analyze the climate crisis through an intersectional lens, highlighting the inequalities faced by different groups. Having dedicated so much of her time and energy to these causes, she has learned how to pace herself, checking on her own mental & physical health, in order to keep the stamina going in pursuit of a better future for all. Meet Jessica. This is her story.
Jessica is a climate psychologist, social scientist, activist and writer. She lives in the UK and splits her time between Wales and London.
K: Please introduce yourself!
J: I'm a climate justice activist, social scientist and writer. My area of expertise is climate psychology and how we can effectively communicate to inspire action both on a political and grassroots level. I work in climate policy with a focus on resources and lowering barriers to systemic change. I'm also a freelance researcher, with a particular interest in phasing out fossil fuels and amplifying grassroots movements in the global south. Occasionally, I work as a photographer for activist groups.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
J: My vision in life is to make knowledge more accessible and inspire social change. I'm an advocate for intersectional approaches - that means taking into account that people can be impacted by the climate crisis differently based on their race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, income or location. I have also worked on decolonising academia and amplifying Indigenous and local knowledge. My previous research has focused on values-based approaches to systemic change. Whether we act on climate change is not a matter of who we are - although genetics and personality do play a role - but rather our environment, social circles, and the media we consume. Climate communication is therefore a powerful tool. I'm also interested in how the grassroots, NGO sector, and politics interact on a systemic level, and how we can intervene to facilitate more ambitious climate policies. I'm hoping to do a PhD on this topic in the next few years.
I've been involved with grassroots climate groups for the past 3 years - first as a community organiser, now as a researcher and journalist. Having grown up near one of Poland's largest coal mines and Germany's largest chemical plant, environmental injustice is something I've been aware of my whole life. When I went to university and fully realised the scale of the climate emergency, I started dedicating my life to the cause. While it sometimes feels like I spend every waking minute thinking about climate change, I also try to advocate for mental health and regenerative cultures within our movements. I have Asperger's, which is a form of Autism, and the world can sometimes be a bit overwhelming for me. Making sure I take breaks and recharge is something that's important to me in order to make my activism sustainable.
Jessica actively campaigns against new fossil fuel developments. She works with groups such as Stop Cambo and Paid to Pollute to advocate for a just transition.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
J: I like that I am very committed to lifelong learning, and am not afraid of having my beliefs challenged. I believe that admitting mistakes is a strength many of our political leaders have lost, and we should not be afraid of unlearning harmful beliefs and misconceptions. Another thing I am proud of is my strong ability to focus, which has a lot to do with how my brain works - climate change and social justice are my special interests, and I am incredibly passionate about them. I feel very privileged to be able to flourish in the work I do.
Jessica can often be found at high-profile actions — either as a participant or behind the lens. Here she hands an open letter to a British Petroleum representative. BP had announced a sponsorship for the Royal Opera House in London, which was subsequently dropped by the venue.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
J: Two years ago, I suffered a burn-out after working sixteen hours a day for months juggling activism, a full-time degree and part-time work. I was confronted with the reality that I am only one human. Reaching my limits was tough, and it took me months to recover and be able to get back into organising. I never went anywhere close to my past workload ever again. Activism can be an eternal balance of giving as much as you can without burning out. It is important to remember that rest can also be resistance in a world where grind culture is glamourised, and that breaks are necessary in order to make our work psychologically and physically sustainable. Working ourselves ill does not help build the future we are fighting for, and it does not help any cause in the long term. That was an important lesson to learn.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys spending time offline in nature. This is her walking the West Highland Way in Scotland.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
J: Don't be afraid to follow your interests and passions, and don't let anyone ever tell you that you're not good enough or smart enough to do so. Be aware of the privileges you have and the responsibility that comes with them. And lastly, always reach out for help and advice when you need it.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
J: To me, being a woman means harnessing my instincts of nurture and collaboration to help create strong movements, fighting for social justice and a better future for all life on earth.
Before starting her career as a social scientist, Jessica was a community organiser with a number of grassroots groups in London.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
J: I am eternally inspired by the women in most affected areas who risk their lives on a daily basis fighting for climate justice. We in the UK are very privileged in that we have fewer barriers in the way of activism - people in other countries, particularly in the global south, have so much more to lose and are losing so much already. Some of the women who inspire me most are Helena Gualinga, Vanessa Nakate, and Mitzi Jonelle Tan. I am also a big fan of the work of adrienne maree brown, who teaches collective liberation, decolonisation, and finding pleasure in our activism work.
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