Can Rachel Teh Be A Face For Sustainability?
To more beach photos on clean beaches!
Activism.
In school, people thought I was popular, easygoing; associated it with lower IQ. I stood up to bullying, realised it can take one person to make change.
Social media exposed me to issues like women’s rights, environmental awareness, mass shootings, etc. For art FYP in secondary school, I painted Emma Watson, Malala Yousafzai and Frida Kahlo together.
I want to join the UN. I’ve worked with NGOs like @byebyeplasticbags.sg, am meeting with MP Louis Ng in a few weeks to discuss teaching refugees English in Malaysia.
Instagram.
People are busybodies on Instagram, want to see what I wear, do, go. People may think it’s a “thirst trap.” But I can’t wear sweaters on the beach, which I love.
They may follow me for beauty, fashion, I’ve found the more I talk about issues, the more people want to learn. There’s power in following.
By 2030, there will be more plastic in oceans than fish. But apparently Singaporeans don’t have “time” to care about sustainability. Because they don’t see the impacts now, they don’t care.
Influencers today use sustainability as a way to seem sensitive. If they’re doing good things, who am I to judge. It would be great if smaller voices with genuine interest can be heard too. At this point, we should use all the platforms we can.
Guys.
I don’t like when guys say, “You’re so different from other girls.” You don’t need to put women down to make me feel good.
I’ve asked Gabe (@g.abetan) to take pictures for @byebyeplasticbags.sg beach clean-ups, which happen in the morning. He’s not a morning person. My habits have become his habits. I’m happy we’re in this together.
