Courtesy of Bonnie Wright
WORDS BY HANNAH ROSE MÉNDEZ
VIDEO BY EMMA BLACKMAN
The filmmaker and Greenpeace ambassador joins Atmos for a series of rapid-fire questions ahead of the launch of her new book.
Filmmaker and Greenpeace ambassador Bonnie Wright, who first rose to fame for her portrayal of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film saga, is redefining sustainability on her own terms. In her debut book Go Gently: Actionable Steps to Nurture Yourself and the Planet, Wright offers simple, tangible steps toward reducing our environmental impact by looking at what we consume, the waste we create, and how to take action for environmental change.
For our latest installment of 60 Seconds on Earth, Atmos asks Wright a series of rapid-fire questions to help you get to know her just a little bit better. From her love of the ocean to her favorite childhood memories, Wright makes it clear that, for her, our planet has always come first.
The video includes only a few of the questions, but you can read the full interview below.
HANNAH ROSE MÉNDEZ
Current world news aside, how are you?
BONNIE WRIGHT
I’m doing good. I’m remembering to breathe, and I have a busy couple of months coming up with my book out. I’d say I’m just ready for spring and the changes that brings.
MÉNDEZ
And where are you right now?
WRIGHT
I am in LA right now.
MÉNDEZ
Mountains or beaches?
WRIGHT
Definitely beaches.
MÉNDEZ
Cat person or dog person?
WRIGHT
I always thought I was only a dog person, but I now have dogs and cats. Between my boyfriend and I in our house we have four cats and one dog.
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MÉNDEZ
Countryside or city life?
WRIGHT
I definitely have always been a city girl. I grew up in the heart of London, but I have a deep pull towards the countryside. I spent a lot of time in the countryside as a child. And I think I wish for that beautiful split between city and country, but sometimes it’s a hard balance to find.
MÉNDEZ
What’s your favorite thing about LA?
WRIGHT
My favorite thing about LA is that I love to surf and I love the idea that I can have a day where I can surf and also be on a shoot or writing at my desk. In one day I can have both. That duality of nature and inward working life [is special].
MÉNDEZ
What’s one piece of sustainability advice you would give to someone just starting out?
WRIGHT
I think start small. Don’t try and take on your whole life and whole world. You’ll quickly feel a bit disheartened by your ability to shift habits. So, I would always intersect an issue that you care about with something that you find joy in. I think we’re much more likely to commit to long-term habits and changes if we love doing it as well as being concerned about the issue.
MÉNDEZ
That’s a great piece of advice. What’s a place you’d love to visit and why?
WRIGHT
I’ve recently had this desire to go to Tibet or Bhutan or the Himalayas. I’ve always been such an ocean person, but I need to push myself more into some mountain landscapes as well.
MÉNDEZ
Who is your climate inspiration?
WRIGHT
I think my grandparents, even though none of them are alive anymore. They definitely had some beautiful habits and ways of life that were so much more resourceful. And they had really great skills that they could apply to be more resilient and sustainable. I know that they did pass those on to my parents—and I feel like that skill-sharing was passed on because of my grandparents.
“We’re much more likely to commit to long-term habits and changes if we love doing it as well as being concerned about the issue.”
MÉNDEZ
Where do you feel most at home?
WRIGHT
In the ocean, definitely. I love the water—especially any time there’s a problem or an issue, or if I just need some inspiration. Even if I can’t get there, just staring at images of water helps me
MÉNDEZ
What’s your favorite sustainable product?
WRIGHT
So many things. I always have reusable bamboo utensils in my bag, but I have the kids’ size because they are really small and fit just perfectly. I’ve saved countless different utensils. Also the classic, old reusable coffee cup—or even if it’s a Mason jar, any type of reusable vessel is a great thing.
MÉNDEZ
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
WRIGHT
I’m always torn between a dolphin and a whale. I like the speed and fun-ness of a dolphin, but I also like the wisdom and slow pace of a whale. I think they encapsulate my two, different personalities.
MÉNDEZ
What’s the best place you’ve visited?
WRIGHT
Last year I went to Iceland and I was absolutely blown away by just how alive it felt. It was this reminder that the world is a moving, breathing, changing place, after feeling quite still and sedentary. After the time we’ve lived through, going to Iceland just made me realize that things can still change—for the better.
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MÉNDEZ
Any song you have on repeat at the moment?
WRIGHT
When I’m on my own, I’m blasting Adele’s latest album, even though that’s much to friends’ and my boyfriend’s dislike. But when I get time to myself, I like to blast the cheesy ballads.
MÉNDEZ
We’re with you on that one. One book you think everyone should read?
WRIGHT
It’s a classic, but Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It’s just a beautiful way to get into that science botany. I’m not very good at reading textbooks. I need a story behind it, and she really weaves that balance. You can just jump into the book; you don’t need to read it from cover to cover. Each chapter is a story upon itself.
MÉNDEZ
Are there any sayings or affirmations you live by?
WRIGHT
One I had stuck on a Post-it Note on my computer while I was writing my book to make me keep going was, “There’s no wrong way to do the right thing.” I think we can get so stuck on doing the “right” thing or the “best” thing. But there really is no right or wrong. There’s so much more grey area and all we really need to do is start—get going and try anyway.
MÉNDEZ
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
WRIGHT
The most basic thing: I love bread. I can eat toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So honestly, toast. I could survive off a loaf of bread.
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MÉNDEZ
What’s your favorite season and why?
WRIGHT
Autumn is my favorite season. I’m an introvert; I find summer exciting, but quite overwhelming. I love the transition into autumn because it’s this time to move inwards, to let things fall away. It’s often the time where I’ve managed to have the best ideas.
MÉNDEZ
What’s the best eco documentary you’ve seen?
WRIGHT
I like the film, Gather. It is about Native Americans trying to keeping alive [cultural] practices and passing [them on] intergenerationally.
MÉNDEZ
Any hobbies you’re into right now?
WRIGHT
I have been into sewing recently. My mom is a great sewer and I grew up watching her. Last year my parents bought me a sewing machine, so I’ve been trying to get better at sewing and making some of my own things.
MÉNDEZ
A favorite memory from your childhood?
WRIGHT
I guess people call this foraging now. I wouldn’t have even known that word existed then, but I remember picking wild blackberries with my brother in the bushes in areas behind the beach we used to go to. So foraging now—but, then, it was just picking berries and eating them to me. That’s definitely a [happy] memory of mine.
MÉNDEZ
And what can you tell us about your book, Go Gently?
WRIGHT
My book, Go Gently, is coming out soon in April. It’s basically about changes, habits, things we could be implementing in our day-to-day life that feel accessible, obtainable, and help turn these big, large-scale issues to a scale we can actually understand.
It also really looks at this idea of starting small, celebrating those small wins and looking at how, if we overload and overwhelm ourselves, it just isn’t sustainable. It’s a very practical guide that’s full of recipes, ideas, tips and information to help us better navigate the world.
MÉNDEZ
It sounds incredible.
Well, that’s “60 Seconds on Earth.” That’s all we have for you. Thank you so much.
WRIGHT
Amazing, thank you.
