Compassion through the eyes of Ella

Meet Ella Richmond-Pearson

Ella has just started her second year at the University of Exeter, where she is studying environmental science. For her, compassion for Nature is about being aware of how her actions impact the environment, immersing herself in the natural world, and actively caring for the Nature around her. Through the Bertha Earth Changemaker programme, she started the Forests for Futures campaign to educate young people in her community about the importance of trees and supporting them to take action.

Compassion for Nature isn’t just about appreciating its beauty. It’s about taking meaningful steps to protect it.

Whether through simple daily habits or larger projects, we can all make a difference. By doing this, we can also show compassion towards ourselves by restoring the balance of Nature we have disrupted, such as by mass deforestation. Restoring Nature will create a healthier environment for humans to live in.

Local heroes for Nature are all around us—they’re the people who take action to protect the environment, inspire others, and lead by example. Whether through big initiatives or small daily habits, each of us has the potential to be a local hero for Nature. All it takes is a bit of compassion, a desire to make a difference, and the willingness to take that first step.

Enjoy Nature mindfully

If I were to encourage others to show compassion for Nature, I’d suggest starting with something simple that you enjoy, like going for a walk in Nature. Really take the time to notice your surroundings — identify a plant or simply appreciate the beauty around you. This connection is the first step.

Reflect on the compassion of others

Who do you know who has shown some compassion for Nature? A big influence in my life has been my grandad, who has always shown deep compassion for Nature. He’s always been mindful of our impact on the environment, teaching me the importance of not wasting anything and reusing what we can. My grandparents live in a sustainable house with air sourced heat pump and garden where they grow lots of their own food, which I’ve always loved helping with. Their way of life has had a big impact on me.

Remember you matter

It’s common to feel like your individual efforts won’t make much of a difference, but it’s important to remember that if everyone thought that way, our environment would be in even worse shape. On the other hand, if everyone showed compassion for Nature, the collective impact would be significant. By focusing on what we can achieve, we can overcome that feeling of helplessness and make meaningful strides in protecting the natural world. Where you can, consider the impact of each decision you make on Nature. Do this in day to-day life, such as when purchasing items or when choosing modes of transport.

Identify local issues

To take further action, think about where Nature might be struggling and how you can help. For me, that was addressing deforestation by helping young people in my community reconnect with Nature through tree planting. Then, take the practical action— I developed engaging presentations, set up sessions, delivered talks about trees and supported the young people to plant them.

You could find a local issue that needs attention and think about practical ways to contribute. Once you’ve identified an environmental issue, take practical steps to address it. You might organise a community event, volunteer for a local project, or start a similar initiative.

Find your motivation

My motivation partly came from learning some shocking facts at school about how quickly humans are destroying Nature. I remember being horrified when I learned that a football field of forest space is destroyed every five seconds. That realisation made me feel that I had to do something to help.

Overcome challenges

I’ve faced challenges along the way, like figuring out how to engage different age groups and continuing my efforts after moving to university. Stay positive, there’s always a solution to a challenge you might encounter. I’m planning to continue the campaign this winter in Cornwall.