Melissa, a sustainability advocate and former model from Malaysia, recently sat down for an enlightening discussion about her career journey and passion for driving climate action. The conversation covered a wide range of topics related to sustainability, from the realities of the fashion industry to how individuals can make an impact within their own organizations.
Melissa first began modeling at the age of 27 after completing her university degree and working as a consultant. In 2015, she represented Malaysia in the reality TV modeling competition Asia's Next Top Model. This experience helped open her eyes to the negative impacts of fast fashion and rampant consumerism. She soon pivoted her career to focus more on sustainability advocacy and promoting zero waste lifestyles. When asked about her time in the modeling industry, Melissa shed light on the difficult realities many models face. Most models struggle financially as they bounce from city to city living out of suitcases for months or years. The modeling world promotes a culture of excessive consumerism that is detached from the environmental impact. Melissa realized that she wanted to use her platform to advocate for more sustainable practices instead.
Fashion Imperialism and the Need to Support Ethical Local Businesses
An insightful point Melissa made was about the issue of fashion imperialism. This refers to large fast fashion brands appropriating designs and styles from small, often indigenous, communities without proper credit or benefit to the original creators. She emphasized the need to be more conscious about supporting small, local and ethical businesses. This helps cut down on unnecessary shipping while investing back into marginalized communities.
The Problem of Greenwashing and Performative CSR
When discussing sustainability initiatives, Melissa also touched on the issue of greenwashing. This refers to instances when large corporations portray themselves as environmentally friendly through misleading marketing and initiatives when their core business model is still highly unsustainable. She argues that organizations need to undergo more holistic change starting from the inside out rather than pursuing performative corporate social responsibility (CSR).
An encouraging perspective Melissa shared was that sustainability advocates don't need to be in top leadership roles to drive change. She discussed how a single employee at a large company was able to eliminate plastic cups by presenting data on more eco-friendly options. Her point is that we all have influence within our own organizations, families and communities. Smaller incremental changes can build up to larger systemic transformation.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
In addition to her own advocacy, Melissa has served as an ambassador for Earthday.org since 2020. She has helped organize digital events and enjoys the opportunity to mentor up-and-coming environmental leaders. While recognizing the need for continued progress, Melissa finds it affirming that her hard work is gaining more mainstream recognition. This will hopefully inspire more young people to get involved in sustainability.
When asked about dealing with discomfort as an introvert in a public role, Melissa acknowledged she has had to push herself outside her comfort zone. However, she realizes that stepping into the spotlight more has increased her sphere of influence. This allows her message to reach larger audiences and decision-makers who control resources for bigger initiatives. She has learned to balance her natural introversion with the need to speak out publicly on issues she is passionate about.
Balancing Optimism and Cynicism to Maintain Motivation
In any social movement, it can be difficult to maintain optimism in the face of setbacks and slow progress. Melissa noted that she tries to strike a balance between optimism and cynicism. While recognizing the gravity of environmental threats, she also looks for examples of initiatives succeeding on smaller scales. Starting locally and seeing ideas work in practice helps sustain motivation to keep advocating for larger systemic change.
When asked about the importance of circular economic systems, Melissa emphasized that true sustainability requires circularity. Since nothing in nature is waste, our systems should be designed to maximize the life and utility of resources. She suggested more localized solutions like sharing, repairing, and repurposing items within communities. This reduces the need for constant extraction, production, and disposal inherent in linear systems. In summary, Melissa's perspective and journey in sustainability advocacy demonstrates the power of individuals to drive impact. Though the road ahead is long, she continues to balance optimism with pragmatism. By pushing beyond her comfort zone and mentoring others, Melissa aims to catalyze a broader movement of climate action across Malaysia and the globe. Her insights serve as inspiration that we all have roles to play in moving toward a just, equitable, and sustainable future.
Check out the full version of Episode 106 here.
