How to Protect Earth

How to Protect Earth

Join me in my mission and learn how to protect earth!

Green Ambassador
The Green Ambassador

Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty.

Native American Saying

Q: You are personally engaged in many pro-ecological activities, responsible for green initiatives in your companies and your love for the turtles is widely known to public. What does it mean to be environmentally-friendly to you? What was your personal motive to become engaged in green projects?

A: I grew up living in places surrounded by beautiful nature and was a very active girl scout all my youth. I was taught both to respect and love the nature by my family as well as the scouts group.
As long as I remember, my family and I participated in projects such as cleaning garbage which people threw outside, collecting paper and cardboard for recycling. I have fond memories of planting trees and putting in some time and efforts to protect lynxes.
I was also taught about what kind of waste you can easily dispose of in nature by the means of composting. I learned how to minimize once impact on the nature, how to avoid polluting by the use natural products for cleaning and washing.

I learned how walking, bicycling, roller-blading and skiing can be great alternatives to cars as we lived in rather remote places. If the distances were too large, in my youth this meant 15 km or more, I went by boat, bus or train. These were very valuable lessons for which I am deeply grateful.

Q: That sounds like good life lessons indeed! I know you are active Greenpeace Eco-warrior, which projects are you involved in? Which other projects do you currently personally support or engage in?

A: Over the years I have come to conclusion that I no longer want to pay money for large organizations, such as WWF, who claim to protect nature or animals, as I sadly realized how much of the money they collect goes into organizational costs and other overhead.

Instead, I got active withing the local Greenpeace organization and take part of their actions when ever I can and also support their campaigns on the social media by sharing and commenting on posts making people aware on those issues.

Recent years I have concentrated in the fight against the wildfires of the peat-land and rain-forest in Indonesia and Malaysia. These wildfires at instigated by the palm oil industry, in order to get more farming land.

Wildfires destroying pristine rain forest in Borneo, Indonesia

This creates huge amount of pollution that both people and animals suffer from. The fires kills endangered animals either by burning them alive or making them seek refuge in areas inhabited by people, who then kill them out of fear or for food.

Therefore it’s important to boycott product that combine palm oil. Greenpeace has action where they use drone technology to hunt down the people who set the wildfires. I have been personally involved in practical field work to support this important project.

Secondly I have been actively protesting against the oil industry, who in it’s reckless manner destroys our water sources with fracking, pipelines and oil leaks. I have been collecting signatures for appeals and drafting newsletters.

One of the most recent actions by Greenpeace is the Dakota Access Pipeline Protest. Indian tribes have gathered from all over to peacefully protest against the building of the pipeline in order to protect their drinking water and surrounding nature from oil leak!

Dakota Access Pipeline
Native Americans protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline

About 10 years ago I started supporting smaller conservation projects and personally helping out with projects such as reforestations of industrial areas and deserts.

I was blessed to meet a man who single handedly stopped the spreading of the Sahara desert. His name is Yacouba Sawadogo. His passion influenced me greatly!


Last 7 years I have also been involved in fight against food waste, which is  a really big issue nowadays. To be honest I wasn’t even aware of this before I met a wonderful person called Talley Hoban, who is one of most respected Eco-warriors in Germany.

She and her Back To The Roots organization arrange “Schnippelparties” where people meet to cook and eat food make from discarded ingredients. My friendship with her though me how supermarkets as well as individuals can reduce the food waste. There really is enough food for us all, we just need to learn to share it!

Q: You are also supporting many activities to clean up our seas, why do you feel this is so important? How about your passion to the turtles, how did it all start?

Mosaic Turtles
Mosaic turtles from Barcelona, Spain

A: I have always felt an unexplainable draw to the sea, maybe it’s my name Mira, which means Ocean in Sanskrit.

What comes to the turtles, I have always been fascinated by them, for me they really represent the sea! I have a collection of miniature ones, made from all sorts of materials, brought to me by my friends from around the world!

Sea turtles have been here for 10 Million years and the oceans are where they belong. Unfortunately they mistake floating plastic bags, that we throw into the sea, for jellyfish, eat them and choke in them. They get stuck into fishing nets and hooks.

I have been involved in several activities to clean up plastic waste from the oceans and beaches. I have also helped with the fund-raising of the Seavax project.

Turtle nests are also in danger as their eggs are still poached for delicacy. I have been sitting on beaches at midnight to catch the people who sell the eggs to the restaurants.

When people think of sea turtle protection projects, they automatically think of Asia. However I have also volunteered several times with Archelon project in Greece, which is the only sea turtle action in the Mediterranean.

Besides this, I have also been helping out turtles babies, which are in great danger when they hatch as the lights from the resorts and housing confuse them and instead of heading to the sea towards the moonlight, they head away from it.

Q: Have you made any changes in your life to reduce your CO2 footprint here on Earth?

A: I have made some small but important chances in my own lifestyle. I built my own house in a forest without cutting down the trees surrounding my house. I built a rainwater well to collect water and use it later.

Grapevines I planted along my driveway 10 years ago

I have used energy-efficient and clean methods for heating my house and water. I established a compost and planted plenty of fruit trees and berry bushes so we would have fresh produce without the need to transport it.

I mostly eat vegetarian food with some fish and seafood for extra protein as I know that meat production is number one CO2 producer on this planet, besides I love animals and don’t want to eat my friends.

I recycle everything carefully. I use skin and hygiene product that are not tested with animals and only contain natural, biologically grown ingredients.

I have taught my children to do the same! I cannot claim I am perfect but I aim to be very conscious about the products and methods I choose for me and my family.

Windmills from an airplane

My biggest concern are my frequent air-miles and driving around the Europe in my car, both for business and pleasure.

I try to take train when ever possible and I am looking into buying a Tesla!

Q: What changes would you recommend for people to make in their lives to become more eco-conscious?

A: Chancing your lifestyle can be difficult and therefore I recommend a step-by-step approach. Start with something that you feel strong about, something you would really like to change.

For instance if you feel bad about the toxins in your environment, look for more natural alternatives for skin care products and start introducing biologically grown food into your diet.

Teach your children to respect the nature. Don’t let them throw their trash on the streets and destroy any vegetation. Teach them not to waste food. Lead by example!

Q: The problem of climate changes, global warming and protecting the planet is very complex. What are the  priorities for companies when it comes to preserving natural environment?

A: First thing that comes into my mind are massive building projects which destroy nature on a long radius around them, in order to create free time facilities such as, sometimes even temporary, sporting arenas for large international events, offices or residential buildings, roads, commercial centers or even plantations.
I think all companies should act more responsibly when it comes to the nature and after the building projects finish engage in activities such as cleaning up the soil and reforestation in these areas.
We should also stop building in protected areas or places in which the deforestation or the building activities put endangered species in jeopardy! If we build tourist facilities to these places, they should be eco-friendly and we should make sure to disturb the nature as little as possible.

Ruhn industrial area in Germany
Smoke stacks in Ruhn industrial area in Germany

I also believe all companies have to think long and hard about their internal policies and see where they can make changes when it comes to pollution, direct CO2 emission, waste disposal, waste production, energy efficiency of their buildings, transport and storing of their goods.
Though should be given as well as small things such as excessive use of paper in the office, building lighting and garbage recycling. We all share the responsibility of taking care of our home!

That sounds like really solid piece of advice that everyone can learn from. Thank you very much for sharing your green vision with us! Keep us updated on your future activities to save our oceans and protect our earth.

As always with love,


Ayurvedic Haircare

Looking for a way to improve your connection with Earth? Why not try out one of my favorite meditations: Loving Kindness Meditation to Open the Heart

16 thoughts on “How to Protect Earth”

  1. Hello Hanna!

    I have all my life beeing girl scout. There I have learned to be ecological. I live in the middle of the forest in my own old wooden house. We do have electricity and water inside. We have your own well which we take good care off. We have thought to build a geothermal heating system to keep our house and water warm. Additionally we have planed to have our own wind turbine to make own electricity. These are now plannings but I hope we could some day carry out our plannigs.

    I grow our own food as much as possible in our garden. We have a waste system and compost, which makes very good soil to the flowers and garden. We recycle everything paper, gals, food,metal, plastic, board, clouthes and even furniture. I make my own glouthes by looming, knittnig and sewing.

    I do need my car to drive to town because there is no buss and the distance is 50km. It is too much to walk or cycle. But when I drive to town I have always at least three or more things to transact.

    I am worried about the pollution of the seas and the air and hope that the industry try to do something to get the CO2 lower.

    It was interesting to read your article about pretectin the earth. Thank you Hanna.

    loving Inka

    1. Hi Inka,

      Thank you for telling me about your experiences in protecting the earth! Scouts teach you so many important things, especially about how important it is protect the nature.
      Wind turbines and geo-wells are really effective ways of heating the house, much more so than solar energy. Recycling is incredible important, many people feel they can’t make a difference alone, but I always tell them this is the easiest step to get started!

      I am simply terrified with what’s happening with our oceans and forests. I hope the world leaders realize before it’s too late, that this is not the way to go!

  2. I love this interview Hanna!
    As you know I am a Greenpeace activist myself, but you certainly do even more for the environment than I do! Thank you very much for opening my eyes about some big issues, such as food waste and some great projects out there 🙂

    1. Hi Diana, thank you for taking the time to read my interview! I am happy you find my article useful, I am involved in so many programs, but I wanted to highlight the ones that I really love!

  3. What a great way to start an article. As soon as I read your first quote, I was hooked, wanting to devour every word and it suits the remarkable person that ArtbyHeart is.

    I have to say that I appreciate interviews like this as it makes me recognise that I need to do more for our environment and I can do this by educating the future generations. You see, I am a teacher, and I believe that this article is an ideal resource for me to use in the classroom as it demonstrates how one person can make a huge difference.

    1. Hi Amberlee, thank you for dropping by and reading my story.

      Indeed, teachers have a very important role in teaching the future generation to respect our environment. I am happy my interview has inspired you. I always say: If one person can make a difference, imagine what we can do together!

  4. Hi Mira,

    I enjoyed reading your post. What disturbs me the most is the constant building projects which mean endangering living species within the area and increase roads, traffic, noise, crime and other problems that come with it.

    I appreciate that you mentioned that companies need to act on engaging to cleaning up the soil and reforest areas affected by their projects. But will they? In my opinion, it’s all about money!

    But overall it really disturbs me how man has misused this earth, their home, and the wildlife. Thank you for sharing this in depth review. People everywhere should take notice and remain updated on the climate change and earth’s environment.

    1. Hi Rosa! More and more companies are actually improving in this sense, believe it or not! I am not sure if it’s do to the fact that more and more people are demanding eco-conscious ways of building and by complying they are actually gaining public approval, which in return help with their image and marketing, or if they genuinely are developing a conscience. Either way I am happy things are improving.

  5. Love this as well Hanna, you seem to be very eco concious. World needs more people like you! You are promoting Ayurvedic products, do you have good experience with them? I assume they are not tested with animals or contain chemicals.

    1. Thank you very much Helena! Yes, I am very eco-concious. Pure Ayurveda products, like the ones I promote, are never tested on animals and neither do they contain any chemicals. It’s truly wonderful experience to use them, I have done so for 20 years.

  6. Hi,
    It is nice to see an environmentalist here! I actually specialized in green energy engineering where I actually learn solar and wind energy systems. As much we would love to protect our world, do you think it is feasible for countries to convert to renewable sources of energy?
    I think conserving the environment needs everyone to cooperate, not just a few thousand people so I think we definitely should help spread this message across!
    A question for you: the world’s population is set to increase. If there aren’t enough places to live, more buildings were need to be built. If it is built at the expenses of disturbing the natural resources, do you think its okay? It can also apply to other resources like our food etc.

    1. Hi Jacob, you highlight many great issues and I will gladly give you my views in all of them 🙂

      First what comes to food, there really is enough for everyone, we just need to learn to share. I think we need to concentrate on not wasting the resources available, minimizing food waste and learn sustainable farming adapted to each environment.

      Secondly to your question about the use of renewable energy sources. I am not big fan of sun panels as producing them pollutes considerably, I am however all for wind energy, ground wells. solar stoves and solar boilers. Do I believe they will completely replace the use of fossil energy sources? Yes, they have to, since we are running out of oil and gas. Will it happen before we figure out a clean way to use nuclear energy? I certainly hope so. Some European countries like Spain and Germany are leading with sun energy, Denmark with wind power, in my native Finland hydro power rules.

      Your last question is interesting one, since I have recently done a lot of research into sustainable housing. I believe there are many eco-friendly ways of building houses, for single family or larger building complexes. I would love to highlight one project I recently examined on Hawaii:

      Bamboo Housing

      Yes, using bamboo is mostly feasible in the tropical environments, but currently this is where most population growth happens. It takes 2 years for bamboo to mature versus 20 year+ for timber. My point is to find things that work. Other example is hemp, a great plant that grows really fast and has multiple uses.

      What comes to running out of space, that is not likely to happen, there is plenty of space, most of our landmass in not inhabited. I believe in close future people will stop flocking into cities and start rebuilding small communities, which is great for more sustainable lifestyle.

  7. Really interesting interview. I admire people who live to protect our resources, and try to do my bit where I can.

    It is incredibly difficult to keep it up all the time. Not throwing litter down is one thing, but when it comes to driving cars, or purchasing products, it becomes really expensive to go organic all the time.

    Even a lot of so called green products are a lot more expensive than other regular products. Hopefully this trend will change in the future.

    1. I think the problem is more highlighted in US, where a lot of people consume pre-made food in packaging instead of cooking from the fresh ingredients, which last time when I checked were actually not that expensive.

  8. Hi Mira,
    I loved your interview, such an eye opener!! This was a very in depth discussion on several topics. I really enjoyed reading this article. Keep up the good work.

    1. Thank you Mary, I think it’s important to keep people updated on important issues such as climate change and the small things everyone can do in order to make a difference!

Leave a Reply to ArtByHeart Cancel reply
