Robin Greenfield at UNICEF – Living Simply for a Sustainable Future

The New York Staff Association Green Team is pleased to invite all UNICEF staff to a special talk with Robin Greenfield, renowned environmental activist and humanitarian, on: Thursday, October 16, 2025 9:00–10:00 AM ET About the Talk: Robin Greenfield will share his journey of radical transformation, from a conventional consumer lifestyle to one of deep simplicity and sustainability. His talk will explore how individuals can live in harmony with the Earth, reduce personal waste, and challenge exploitative systems through everyday choices. Robin’s message is both inspiring and practical, offering a hopeful perspective on how we can each contribute to a greener UNICEF and a healthier planet. About Robin Greenfield: Robin is known globally for his bold environmental campaigns, including living off-grid, growing and foraging 100% of his food, and wearing a suit made of his own trash to raise awareness about waste. He has committed to living below the poverty line, donating all media earnings to grassroots causes, and has owned as few as 50 possessions. His work has been featured by Discovery Channel, France 2, and TEDx, and he’s been called “The Robin Hood of modern times” and “A Thoreau-esque character for our digital age.” — Robin’s talk was more than a presentation, it was an invitation: to slow down, to reflect, to live in service and to act. He didn’t just recount adventures; he showed a way to reconnect with Earth, with each other, and with the purpose behind our work. Here are a few quotes from Robin that stuck with us. We hope they resonate with you too: “Living in community is at the center of living more sustainably, in harmony with Earth.” “I have decided to take responsibility for myself and my actions… because it is the only thing I have full control over.” “Everything in our lives is deeply interconnected.” “Behind every act of consumer convenience there is a burden that is placed on humanity, Earth, plants and animals elsewhere.” “Living sustainability is not about giving up. It’s not even about sacrifice. It does require a deep level of rethinking because most everything that we want, we can have in a way where it’s in more harmony with the Earth.” “When people start making small more sustainable changes in their life, they feel happier and healthier. ” “People are good!” These lines capture the heart of Robin’s message: meaningful change starts with integrity, humility, and community, not with perfection or grand gestures alone. What Robin’s Visit Challenges Us To Do: See transformation as systemic and personal. Robin’s life is a living experiment, not because he wants to show off, but because he wants to test what’s possible. His path reminds us that even in large institutions, personal responsibility and experimentation matter. Lean into community. Our work on child rights, climate, development, all of it gains strength when we build networks and trust among ourselves and those we serve. The challenges we face are too big for one team, one office, one country. Adopt small, consistent shifts. Radical change doesn’t always start with radical acts. Composting, consuming less, prioritizing local systems, these are steps that ripple outward. As Robin said: “Everything in our lives is deeply interconnected.” Hold space for hope. One message that undergirds Robin’s life is that despite the scale of the crises, we cannot leave the field to despair. “People are good”, that trust is part of the work. We encourage you to watch it (or rewatch parts) and share with your colleagues, teams, partners, and perhaps even with children or youth groups you engage with. Use it as a spark for conversation, for ideation, for next steps. Robin left us with a powerful challenge: to turn inspiration into action, one small change at a time. What if each of us chose one thing to shift every week or two? It could be as simple as bringing your own cup, taking public transport, or buying less but better. Over time, these quiet choices add up to meaningful transformation. Let’s see what this looks like across our community. We invite everyone who joined the talk, and anyone inspired by it, to reflect, experiment, and share your progress. In a few months, we’ll reach back out to hear what changes you’ve made and what impact you’ve seen. We’ll gather these stories and share them with Robin, to let him know how his visit helped spark real change across UNICEF and beyond. For ideas, you can explore Robin’s guide: 100+ Positive Changes to Live More Sustainably, Healthy and Happy, full of practical actions that make a difference. https://www.robingreenfield.org/100changes/ In closing, Robin’s visit was a reminder: that every person, every community, every action counts. That our mission, for children, for climate, for justice, is both global and intimate. We look forward to keep adopting more sustainable lifestyles and making UNICEF a greener organization. Thank you for being part of this journey!