EarthGirl Isabelle, what makes you an EarthGirl?
I try to be earth-conscious all the time with everything I do and I really take concrete steps to protect and enhance the environment. Doing that, I envision a better future for me and for all.

When did you become aware and fall in love with our planet and what did you do next?
That started when I was just a kid, we used to spend our family vacations going camping around water falls in Brazil. My parents would ask all the kids, me and my cousins, to get bags and pick up the garbage around the area. For me that always felt right, and I could not understand why people would throw trash around.

What do you think is a simple change anyone can make to be more green?
Being green is good for the environment, good for society, and good for business! Simple things like buying eco-friendly products with minimal packaging when you go to the supermarket, turning off the water while brushing your teeth, recycling trash in your home, and reducing your carbon footprint, are all things that can be done by everyday people.

What eco-aware product do you use or wear regularly?
Among other products, I use a soap by Dr. Bronner’s, not only because it’s great, but I support them for being certified under the USDA National Organic Program and also certified fair trade. They spend part of their profits on social and environmental causes and charities. Ah, and what I love the most is that their products are not tested on animals!

Picture this, you’re trapped on an island, with a tree that only grows one product. What is it?
Bananas, I think it’s the smartest fruit in the world – I won’t need anything to peel them, and they are tasty, nourishing, and very healthy.

What are your daily earth-friendly actions?
I try not to waste anything…

I use very little cleaning products, and if I use supermarket plastic bags, I will reuse them or return them for recycling. When buying my groceries, I try to choose products that are biodegradable and with minimal packaging.

I almost never use AC at home or in my car. I conserve water by shutting the water off when I brush my teeth, and taking quick showers. I try to walk instead of using my car, and of course, I recycle my garbage, separating batteries, cans, glass, etc.

Are you working on anything that we should know about that’s positively impacting our planet and its people?
I feel that being a vegetarian is the best thing I can do to help our planet. According to the United Nations, raising animals for food creates more greenhouse gases than all the transportation in the world and more water pollution than any other industry. Crazy huh?!

My new “thing” as a vegetarian and animal rights activist, is that I am trying to buy only non-animal-tested products and telling my friends about them. I did research on this, and made a list to share with them. I also help animal rights activists in my city, in Brazil, who have rescued over 80 animals and really need help to keep doing this great work.

Make a wish! (Something. Anything.)
My wish is that people would start respecting! There are people in this world who don’t understand that everything is related and connected… you, every living being and the earth is one – united! If you respect all human beings, all animals, and the earth, you are respecting yourself!

Quando o homem aprender a respeitar ate a menor das criaturas ninguem precisara ensina-lo a amar o seu semelhante (albert schweitze premio nobel da paz).

Do EarthGirlz really have more fun?
Yes! And there is nothing better than knowing that you are making the world a better place.

What Kooky or interesting fun-facts should our viewers know about you?
I try not to use AC in my car, so I open the windows, to catch the fresh wind, and I sing really loud buddhist mantras, Brazilian songs and country music. So if you see me driving around, honk! LOL.

(EarthGirl Isabelle kickboxes, & has practiced Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira, so don’t go messing with her. She also plays the harmonica.)

Log on to EarthGirl Isabelle’s website: www.isabellefontes.com.br.

Please support EarthGirl Isabelle and her cause. She is dedicating much of her time to benefit animals in need, and hopes that this post will encourage all of you to get involved.

Here are some of the people and foundations whom Isabelle strongly supports:

Franklin Oliveira, animal activist who has rescued over 80 animals and has been keeping them in his home.

Click here to send him an email. Visit his page here, or visit the community page here.

Tatiana Giacoia – Animal activist and creator of a net to aid animals.

Her website is rededeprotecaoanimal.com.br, but is currently under construction.

Fundacao Ana Lara Resende – A foundation for the protection of all animal life and the environment.

“We are a private foundation, without lucrative ends for the protection of the environment, fauna and flora. We want to act, with support of all the sectors of the society of the planet, and find a way to preserve all of life’s diversity within it.”

Visit the website at www.fundacaolararesende.com.br

For donations to all or any of the above mentioned causes, please use my PayPal account (Merchant Name: Isabelle Fontes de Queiroz, Secure Merchant Account ID: V98MWQKJNA25S) and I will make the deposit and send you a receipt. (And a gigantic thank you, of course!)

On Earth Day, please take a moment to send some beautiful & positive energy to our Mother Earth.

* Isabelle asked that I add a few pictures of her with her family, who bring so much joy to her life:

EG Isabelle & Family

w/ Cindy - 14 y.o. on 4/15/09

w/Gatinha - rescued by Isabelle

Lua was also rescued by Isabelle

A holiday w/ Carminha (also rescued) & Cindy

Irresistible Cindy gets some love

Lua gets a hug!

Kisses for the birthday girl (born 4/15)

Aren’t EarthGirlz awesome?! Go ahead and leave EarthGirl Isabelle a message…