Domitila Barros: Bridging the Gap Between Awareness and Environmental Action

One look at Domitila Barros’ engaging Instagram page and you can see why she caught EMA’s eye. Leading with hope, education, and action, Domitila is inspiring millions. Similar to our messaging, Domitila is all about bringing people into the environmental cause. That’s why it was such a pleasure to get the chance to chat with this incredible environmental leader.

Domitila Barros de O. Nascimento is an internationally recognized sustainability leader, UNESCO Millennium Dreamer (2000), and global voice at the intersection of environmental impact, culture, and systems change.She is a best-selling author, Influencer of the Year (Cannes), and Young Global Leader nominee of the World Economic Forum, recognized for translating complex sustainability challenges into scalable, real-world solutions that resonate across global audiences.

Read our interview to learn more about Domitila’s incredible work!

You are an internationally recognized and respected sustainability influencer. What does that mean to you, and how did you get here?

Well, being an internationally recognized sustainability influencer means I get to bridge the gap between awareness and action on a global scale. It’s not just about visibility! It’s about impact: shaping systems, influencing behavior, and connecting communities. How did I get here? Years of designing systems that work, not just talking about change, plus consistently translating complex sustainability science into tangible solutions that people and businesses can implement. For example, through my work in coral restoration, as a speaker, I directly support marine biodiversity and local economies.

I give up some stages to send local leaders and younger people in my place, thereby reshaping the narrative and focusing on rewriting stories rather than short videos. Imagine that in 2024, I was the only Latina on Amazon Germany's list of bestselling authors of Latino and Spanish biographies? Imagine if fake news exists online, imagine it then in history books. So, for me, translating values and reevaluating narratives while writing history is essential to this process, and as an immigrant, woman, Black Latina, and everything else, I have an obligation to think about the whole in a diverse, not just sustainable, way. Let's be honest, racism and sexism play a crucial role in these processes, and being able to bring my essence and ancestry adds value to a narrative that integrates far more people than the algorithm knows.

What topics do you find resonate the most with people? Health? Fashion?

The topics that resonate the most are those that connect daily life with planetary impact. I integrate well-being because it’s immediate; people want clean air, safe food, and well-being. Fashion resonates too, because it’s visual, aspirational, and often one of the biggest contributors to global emissions. Not many people knew that the fashion industry accounts for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, sharing information knowing that not everyone is privileged to have access to education, and this type of information is humbling, less judgmental than that no one cares, and empowering because we care for what we love! Framing sustainability in ways that show personal relevance plus global scale is something I am passionate about.

What’s your approach to convincing people who aren’t on board to start caring more for our planet?

Convincing skeptics starts with numbers, stories, and agency. I often show that small individual actions compound at scale. I also highlight business opportunities, companies that integrate sustainability grow 4.8% faster on average than those that don’t, according to Harvard Business Review. Data plus human stories equals impact. My people want to work in.The field wants to be an actor of change, but how? Where? Which school? Which education channel? What are the areas of work?

We just kicked off a new year. What projects are you working on in 2026?

For 2026, I’m focused on several high-leverage projects:

1. Scaling coral reef restoration using innovative techniques that increase survival rates by over 40%. I became a Diver last year and will be doing more, sharing more, animating more. The ocean is in focus.

2. Launching a women’s leadership network in sustainability, connecting over 5,000 professionals across Latin America, the UAE, and Europe. I am inspired by women who don't even use social media, and that's amazing. We're going offline, connected, and as I always say: Sisterhood will save the world. I believe in the power of WE, and this is one of my superpowers.

3. Partnering with major media brands to turn awareness into action, translating complex climate data into accessible, localized solutions.

What are three things people can do right now to make a difference?

Three things anyone can do right now:

1. Audit your daily consumption—food, fashion, energy—and reduce at least one carbon- intensive habit.

2. Support regenerative initiatives: plant trees, restore reefs, or donate to high-impact NGOs. 1 hectare of mangroves stores roughly 1,500 tons of CO₂ over 20 years. Yes you can sit with US, you are allowed to have fun while doing it and never forget: the grass is greener at your neighbors house because he is watering, build bridges focus on your own garden and be kind you will be surprise what happens when you do you, for you and with a smile in the face (my mum has a plants hospital, she talks to plants and she always told me: Domitila if talking to plants makes then grow healthier imagine talking kind to humans)… this isn’t about plants!

3. Use your voice: share verified insights, vote for sustainable policies, and hold institutions accountable. Collective action is literally our fastest lever for systemic change. Fell in love with nature, I prefer the ones that protect what they love, then what they are getting paid to, and both have the right to be, but let's be honest, we feel when it's purpose-driven, and when it comes to inspiration, impact, and results, this does make a difference.

How can our readers learn more and support your work?

People can follow and support my work via TikTok and Instagram (@DomitilaBarros), LinkedIn, and my newsletter, where I share insights, projects, and ways to take meaningful action. Collaboration is my favorite form of activism, so if you’re a brand, organization, or individual ready to move from talk to systems that deliver, let’s connect.

Sustainability isn’t optional! It’s the blueprint for the future we want, and it’s exciting, measurable, and fun when we do it together. I started this journey 28 years ago, I received my first award 26 years ago, and now I am ready to see Gen Z take over!

“Leaders” hang too long on their status, power, and wording. We cannot change the way we think now; thinking like back then, we need to let innovation and the new generations LEAD! And I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SITTING ON THE TABLE!

I am talking about letting them sit at the table, speak their truth, and HEAR what they have to say!

Follow along on @green4ema for more inspiring stories.