3 Women Who Are Passionate About Ocean, Animal And Environmental Conservation
They’re committed to making a difference in the most amazing ways.
If ever there were proof that small actions can have big impacts, it comes embodied by Dr Jessica Lee. On her ninth birthday, her grandfather gifted her a parakeet and unwittingly set her on a path that would see her travelling to the region’s remotest corners, sometimes under the most treacherous conditions, all in the name of species and habitat conservation. National Geographic‐worthy adventures aside, Dr Lee, Assistant Vice‐President of Conservation & Research at non‐profit conservation organisation Mandai Nature, is charged with facilitating and managing local and regional research projects, while developing and reviewing proposals as well as working with communities to maximise the impact of species and habitat conservation from the ground up. Who would have thought that a tiny parakeet could have so much impact on the well‐being of Asia’s wilderness?
A similar “small spark” story could also be told of multi‐media artist Tan Zi Xi. In her case, it came about when she first read about the Pacific Garbage Patch—a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean that spans an estimated area of 1.6 million sqkm; approximately three times the size of France—while she was studying at London’s Central Saint Martins. Since then, she has sought to raise awareness and educate people on the plight of the oceans through her art. Her contribution to Singapore Art Museum’s “Imaginarium: Under the Water, Over the Sea” exhibition in 2016, for example, saw her collect, clean, organise and display more than 26,000 pieces of discarded ocean plastics for the thought‐provoking hall‐sized installation, Plastic Ocean. It was a mammoth task that only hints at the passion that she has for the subject.
Then there’s adventurer, author and advocate Christine Amour-Levar, who leads all‐women teams to some of the earth’s most challenging environments to raise awareness and funds for environmental conservation and female empowerment—two causes close to her heart that she serves through HER Planet Earth, a not‐for‐profit organisation she founded to help underprivileged women affected by climate change. (She’s also the co‐founder of non‐profit organisation Women on a Mission, which aids female survivors of war, violence and abuse). A marketing and communications specialist by day, her alter ego has seen her trek and name two unclimbed peaks in Antarctica’s Heritage Range, trail along the migration of Siberia’s Nenets reindeer herders, and fat bike across Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail in winter with her female team.
United by their drive to make a difference for the greater good, these three remarkable women serve their causes in very different ways and on different fronts, but with the same impassioned dedication— and one that’s equally shared by Panerai. The Italian watchmaker’s commitment to sustainable environments has not only seen it constructing a zero‐impact Manufacture—from the materials used in its products and collaterals to the education of its staff and business conduct—but also supporting non‐profit organisations and long‐term projects that positively impact communities and environments. With Panerai’s 38mm Luminor Due timepieces, women can now chart their own earth‐saving paths comfortably on schedule and with peace of mind.
Here, we speak to the women about their inspiring journeys, life lessons learned along the way, and top tips for like-minded, environmentally inclined individuals.
All watches worn throughout the shoot are by Panerai
Photographed by Gan
Styled by Donson Chan
Makeup: Rina Sim using Dior
Hair: Christvian Wu using Revlon Professional
Photographer's assistant: Samsidi Bin Baderi
Tell us about your conservation journey.
It started when I first read about the Pacific Garbage Patch in the papers when I was studying abroad. It was incomprehensible and alarming to learn about human waste that’s so callously dumped into the oceans, to the detriment of marine life. It was these emotions that spurred me on to advocating for nature conservation. I understood that change can only come if I play my part.
What is your greatest concern on this front?
Although I wish to help and be a part of the solution, I’m aware that it’s not as easily achieved as advocated. The destruction of our environment occurs on a very large scale; the conservation effort needs to be a collective effort as a whole.
What are three ways that people can do their part?
Buy less, buy better to avoid the “buy and throw away” mentality, and lastly, bring your own bags and containers when you shop because small, simple actions such as these add up and help generate less waste.
What is the one advice that you’d give yourself?
Don’t be too hard on others and adopt a balanced approach when it comes to advocacy, as people may not yet be receptive or empathise with the issues raised in my work.
Tan wears Goldtech and mother-of-pearl Panerai Luminor Due Madreperla – PAM01280 watch from Panerai; dress & trousers, from Longchamp; jewellery, Tan’s own
What drives you to do what you do?
I’m someone who loves a challenge and conservation is nothing short of a challenge. Furthermore, I believe that just because conservation is often an uphill battle, it’s not a reason or an excuse for us to stop. Being able to make real, positive impact for species, ecosystems and communities that depend on nature is what motivates me, and that is what Mandai Nature’s main goals are: The support of species recovery and habitat preservation by growing and strengthening our conservation partnerships in the region, as well as build their conservation capacities.
What are some of the more pressing issues that concern you?
We are no doubt amidst the sixth mass extinction and humans have regrettably contributed to this. Yet, for conservation to progress, the concerted effort of the very same species that contributed to the need for conservation is required: People; and also importantly, people beyond the conservation community. We need to understand the value of nature and see that we’re all intricately connected. Our very lives and future depend on the state of the planet, our oceans, forests and more. Removing one piece will make the entire puzzle crumble.
What are three ways that people can do their part?
To be conscious that we’re part of the global ecosystem and have a responsibility to live responsibly; to be concerned about why conservation matters, inform ourselves appropriately and to take action; and to be a part of the solution: Be constructive rather than the obstacle.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’ll be working with four regional conservation partners (mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines) on projects involving a plethora of birds across a whole range of different natural systems—from coastal zones to wetlands and forests. The aim is to work alongside our partners and see how we may better support and upscale the essential conservation work they do more effectively and towards a self-sustaining manner.
Dr Lee wears steel Panerai Luminor Due – PAM01247 watch, from Panerai; top, from Max Mara; trousers, from Longchamp; jewellery, Dr Lee’s own.
Tell us about HER Planet Earth.
I was becoming increasingly frustrated and alarmed by what I was reading in the news, horrified by the destruction of our planet’s ecosystems and shocked by the increasing havoc that climate change was wrecking on impoverished populations. I realised that despite the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon, its effects are really felt locally and poor people suffer the most. Seventy percent of the world’s 1.3 billion poor people are women and as a result, whenever a crisis hits, it’s women who bear the brunt of it all. This is why I set up HER Planet Earth: To support women impacted by climate change and to help them become more resilient by empowering them to build livelihoods that are eco-friendly and in harmony with nature.
What keeps you on this journey?
Setting up HER Planet Earth has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. My team and I have raised awareness about eco‐feminism as well as valuable funds for concrete projects supporting impacted women around the world. In my home country of the Philippines, we’ve worked with NGOs to promote the collection and recycling of plastic from the beaches to make into reusable items for sale. We have also funded NGOs that teach women how to grow organic fruit and vegetables, as a solution to overfishing. Today, we’re working with another NGO in Palawan that is focused on coral restoration.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned along the way?
Without a doubt, one of the most important lessons is that true leadership is about empowering and advancing others. Good leaders inspire their team, their tribe, their pack, to be a part of something bigger than themselves, something more meaningful and ultimately, more fulfilling. Our ability as leaders is not measured by how much we have achieved in life, but by how well we advance the lives of others along the way.
Amour-Levar wears steel Panerai Luminor Due – PAM01123 watch, from Panerai; blazer and matching trousers, all from Longchamp; bodysuit and jewellery, Amour-Levar’s own.