Marina Testino
Meet Marina Testino @marinatestino, a creative force and strategic expert in the realm of sustainable fashion and conscious consumerism. Her work has spanned across various sectors, from working with top fashion brands such as Gucci and Stella McCartney, to collaborating with renowned organizations such as Greenpeace, United Nations, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, all in an effort to drive change towards a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.
IRK: Tell us your “Why”
Solutions! Activism has a tendency to put all of its focus on problems instead of what we can do about them. It’s crucial that we are aware of these issues, so this is not always a bad thing. However, “doom and gloom” messaging can only get us so far. Instead of dwelling on issues in this way, I choose to focus on the steps we can take to resolve them. Perfection is impossible, but progress can happen each and every day.
IRK: What are you most passionate about with respect to taking care of people and the planet?
Plastic Pollution is number one for me. I grew up surrounded by nature near the sea, so I have always felt close to it. Even my name, Marina, was inspired by the ocean. When I was young, my dad sponsored a group of biologists to protect turtles in Tulum, and we had the opportunity to release them back into the ocean each time we visited. As I grew up, it was devastating to learn about the vast amounts of plastic and microplastic pollution in the oceans and the effects it has on aquatic life. Knowing this, I had to take action and speak to these issues, their effects, and what we can do to better protect the sea and the life within it.
IRK: What are some conscious actions you implement in your daily life?
Avoiding single use plastics in my day to day (takeout coffee, takeout food, straws, plastic bottles…), carrying a refillable water bottle, traveling by train instead of planes when possible, turning off lights when I leave a room, turning off the faucet in the bathroom instead of letting it run (while brushing my teeth/ shampooing), and saying no to plastic bags at all costs. If I happen to forget my reusable bag at the market, I will only purchase what I can carry by hand.
IRK: What’s your hope for the future of the planet?
More accountability. For governments to enforce protective laws, to support more local, sustainable production and consumption, and to aid in the research and development of new technologies. For brands and corporations to see beyond profits and take responsibility for their social and environmental impacts. I also hope to see individuals continue to stand up and demand the changes they want to see, fully embracing the power we have as consumers.
What Sustainable Development Goal do you align with the most? https://sdgs.un.org/goals
There are several SDGs I identify with. Goals 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 all speak to me. But if I had to choose one, it would be Goal 17, which focuses on partnerships. My work is centered around connecting people and unifying forces to fight for a better planet. Joining that with creativity and education to raise awareness is what all of my campaigns are about. For example, I partnered with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and activists around the world to shed light on the issue of microplastic pollution with #WeSeaThrough. By joining forces, we can amplify our voices, strengthen our messages, and increase our impact.
