Portuguese women who fight for the environment

Joana Guerra Tadeu

Joana Guerra Tadeu was born in Lisbon and is an activist committed to environmental and social causes. Graduated in Communication Sciences from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, her professional career is extensive, but she currently dedicates her time to climate justice, writing, producing and presenting content and climate awareness initiatives , sustainability and development. 

In 2016, she was one of the founders of the cooperative A MONTRA / THE WINDOW , a pioneer as the first Portuguese online store and network to focus on sustainable curation . In this initiative, she played the role of project and operations manager until its closure in 2017.

Self-proclaimed #Impactfluencer , she is responsible for the Imperfect Environmentalist project, which she describes as “a space for intersectional activism where all pressing issues between climate action and social justice fit in”. Through the project, she was able to create a community that acts based on scientific evidence, avoiding extremes and not demanding perfection, adapted to each person's daily life. 

Joana has been featured in Activia, Vogue and Magg and, in addition to her work in the digital world, she is also an author, host of a podcast dedicated to millennial mothers, childcare, speaker in lectures and also consults on projects for ecological entrepreneurs.

Eunice Maia

Eunice Maia is the founder of Maria Granel, the first zero waste store and 100% organic bulk grocery store in the country, which opened in 2015. Eunice was one of the first people to promote the concept of zero waste in consumption and lifestyle, contributing significantly to raise awareness in society about the negative effects of plastic. 

Through lectures, consultancies, workshops and events with national and international guests, it has shared sustainable alternatives to reduce waste, demonstrating its commitment and mission. Furthermore, Eunice is also the author of the books “Desafio Zero – Practical guide to reducing waste inside and outside the home” and “Say no to waste with Simão” (co-authored with Betweien).

Eunice is also responsible for the educational project Z(h)ero Program, aimed at schools and other institutions, which earned it the Terre de Femmes 2019 award, which annually distinguishes women for their contribution to the preservation of biodiversity.

Ana Pego

Ana Pêgo is a Portuguese marine biologist dedicated to environmental education, combining science and art to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving the oceans. Since 2012, he has dedicated himself to environmental education projects, where he uses his passion for the sea to inspire and educate people of all ages.

In 2015, Ana created the Plasticus Maritimus project, which aims to raise awareness of the problem of plastic waste in the oceans. The project includes workshops, training sessions and exhibitions in Portugal and abroad, and resulted in the publication of the book "Plasticus maritimus, an invasive species" co-authored with Isabel Minhós Martins. The book, recommended by the National Reading Plan, is in its 5th edition in Portugal and translated into 11 languages.

Her work has been widely recognized, having received several awards, including 3rd place in the Prémio Terre de Femmes 2020 from the Yves Rocher Foundation, the Prémio Quercus 2020 in the individual category and nomination for the Activa Award, Inspiring Women 2020.

Catherine Barreiros

Catarina Barreiros, architect and founder of the Do Zero store, is a leading figure in the area of sustainability in Portugal. Through her online business, which has evolved into a physical store, she meets the needs of an environmentally conscious audience focused on reuse and recycling.

With master's degrees in Architecture and Management, Catarina Barreiros followed paths in Digital Marketing, working in the fashion and pharmacy sectors. However, it was her passion for sustainability that drove her to dedicate herself to this topic in her life.

In addition to managing her business, Catarina also offers consultancy to small businesses and conducts workshops and training.

Alexandra Cunha

Alexandra Cunha is a Portuguese marine biologist, environmentalist and researcher, admired in the field of nature and environmental conservation. Since 2009, he has held the national presidency of the League for the Protection of Nature, the oldest environmental protection association in Portugal.

Born in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) in 1962, Alexandra Cunha followed an impressive academic path. His love for the sea and nature conservation began when he was still a high school student in Portimão and it was this passion that boosted his professional career and environmental activism.

As a researcher at the Algarve Sea Science Center (CCMAR), Alexandra coordinated several marine conservation projects, including Life Biomares and FindKelp . The first focused on the preservation and recovery of biodiversity in the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, in the Arrábida Natural Park. The second, carried out along the entire Portuguese coast, deepened knowledge about kelp species and associated ecosystems. Furthermore, she has presented her research at national and international congresses, published scientific articles and actively participated in environmental protection..

Helena Antonia Silva

Helena Antónia Silva, the founder of the collaborative platformVintage for a Cause , is a notable figure in the sustainable fashion scene in Portugal. Since its creation in 2013, the Vintage for a Cause brand has been a hub of innovation and environmental commitment.

Despite her law degree, Helena Antónia decided to follow a different path, dedicating herself to sustainability and upcycling clothing strong>. Your brand produces environmentally friendly clothing, using materials from textile factory waste that would otherwise be discarded. Furthermore, Vintage for a Cause has a strong social impact, investing in women's training and promoting circular fashion.