Meet Hannah Testa | Environmental Youth Activist, Public Speaker, and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Testa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The ocean has always been a major part of my life. But eight years ago, I realized the extent that plastics were destroying the ocean when I watched a documentary called Plastic Paradise.

Once I watched that documentary, that really opened my eyes, and I learned the impact it had on human health and endangered species. Knowing that we destroy the ocean every day is heartbreaking. My goal has been to spread this message about plastic pollution to reverse that future.”

From then on, I have been entirely focused on combating the problem. I started Hannah4Change at the age of 11 and advocate for a sustainable future for my generation and generations to come.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since the age of ten, I’ve made it my mission to fight for the planet and its future, especially around endangered animals and plastic pollution. At the age of 11, I founded Hannah4Change (see www.hannah4change.org), a non-profit dedicated to fighting issues that impact the planet. Our mission is protecting people, animals, and the environment through education, awareness, and policy work. The organization’s fundamental belief is that with knowledge, we can influence positive change in the world.​ Through Hannah4Change, I have spoken to and inspired tens of thousands of adults and children across the globe including thousands of students in my local community. I have also interacted with several businesses and influenced several to adopt more sustainable practices. I have written an educational book published in October, delivered a TEDx talk this past November, and I’ve partnered with Kashi to co-create several organic, vegan breakfast cereals. In 2018, I collaborated with another non-profit to create a detailed school curriculum and a short documentary on ocean conservation. In conjunction with this educational work, we implemented an art campaign where $2 was donated for each ocean-related art piece received. At the end of the initiative, we reached our goal and donated $500,000 to ocean conservation programs. For the past three years I have also served as a “squad leader” at the Ocean Heroes Bootcamp, a yearly youth summit to educate, inspire, and encourage students to advocate for our oceans.
In addition to my activism, I have an immense passion for environmental policy and have worked at the local, state, and national level. I partnered with my senator to declare February 15th as Plastic Pollution Awareness Day in the state of Georgia, testified for Fulton County’s ban on single-use plastics in municipal buildings, introduced a bill in the state of Georgia to ban the trade of shark fins, elephant tusks, and rhino horns, developed videos and messages to convince young people to vote in the 2020 elections, and spoke at the introduction for the National Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act of 2020. As a result of these achievements, in 2020 I was honored with People’s “10 Girls Changing the World” and Teen Vogue’s “21 Under 21”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a vegan foodie, I love taking friends to Ponce City Market or Slutty Vegan. I love to spend time outdoors and bring friends with me. Some of my favori

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am proud to say that my parents have made a significant impact on my life. As a little girl, I would regularly question everything, trying to understand the world around me. I was eager to learn more about the world at every opportunity. My parents helped instill in me the importance of treating nature with respect and loving all living things. In my heart, I knew that all creatures deserve to live a peaceful life on earth.
As I grew older and learned more, my questions became more numerous. Instead of shutting me down, my parents let me question the ordinary and helped me to better understand worldly issues through books, documentaries, and dialogue that opened my eyes to issues such as animal extinction and deforestation.

They taught me to be a caring, empathetic, passionate person who loves the planet and all living things, and someone who speaks up when injustice occurs in the world. Through them, I feel I have acquired the values needed to be a strong changemaker and activist. I am forever grateful for their endless love and support and for believing in me before I believed in myself.

Website: https://www.hannah4change.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah4change/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-testa-45a4a5125/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hannah4change

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannah4change/

Image Credits
Christy Jenson