Today we’d like to introduce you to Brennan Coker.
Hi Brennan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a south Florida-based content creator with a focus on sustainability, climate justice, low-impact and plant-based living. Simply put, I communicate to the average person simple ways in which we can fight for a livable planet–– everything from climate action resources to sustainable brand features to recipes formulated to combat food waste. I create short-form video content on Tiktok (@Brennan.Kai) and on a freelance basis for forward-thinking, eco-friendly brands and organizations. I also work as a sustainability consultant for brands looking to become more environmentally friendly.
I was born on Earth Day in St. Augustine, Florida, to environmentalist parents, and grew up in a surf-centric community that was very mindful of ocean conservation. It was only natural that I would take an interest in environmentalism myself. After living in northern Germany, I was inspired by the more progressive German approach to climate issues. I started to change my daily habits and the ways in which I spent my money to better reflect my values.
I live a (very imperfect) plant-based and low-impact lifestyle and feel responsible for encouraging others to do the same in whatever way is most attainable for them while always taking our individual circumstances into account (and trying to never take myself too seriously!). At the end of the day, small changes and mindset shifts can have a huge positive impact.
Over time, I started sharing my personal journey online, and things just grew from there. It’s gone from a hobby to a full-time job, which still feels surreal to me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I sort of fell into this work unexpectedly, so it’s been a real learn-as-I-go type of scenario. Although it’s a dream job in so many ways, creating sustainability-focused content online has its fair share of challenges. Working in social media can be draining, as I think most of us would like a break from our phones from time to time. I’ve tried to set boundaries as to how much time per day can be spent scrolling, but it’s hard to enforce when the lines between work and play are blurred.
It’s also been difficult to navigate through climate anxiety, since my day-to-day life is spent focused on climate issues. Because this line of work requires that I keep up with climate news, there’s a lot of discouraging info coming my way on a consistent basis, and it makes me wonder whether it’s even worth it to keep going. But, through all that, it’s become clear to me that so many of us experience anxiety about the state of the planet, and I find that building community can be extremely helpful in combating it. This, if anything, motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing.
As a sustainability influencer (a word I have a complicated relationship with), you walk a fine line between promoting eco-friendly brands and also doing your best to discourage hyper-consumerism. For that reason, finding aligned clients can be difficult because I’m not willing to sacrifice my values in exchange for a gig. In that same vein, the professional relationships that do come my way are often ongoing, very fulfilling, and hold a much deeper significance to me because we share a common goal. It’s been such a blessing to meet with the people behind brands/organizations in this field looking to make a difference.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although my niche involves a variety of things (everything from plastic waste to plant-based recipes to shopping secondhand), it’s a lot of recipe development, and lately I’ve been very interested in encouraging people to reduce their food waste. I’ve started creating recipes–– whether for my own platform or a client’s–– rooted in reducing waste, and it’s brought me so much joy and fulfillment.
It’s estimated that up to 40% of the food supply in the US is wasted, while approximately 13 million households are food insecure. This is not only a social justice issue but also an environmental one, as there is a direct link between food waste and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. I’ve become extremely passionate about reducing food waste, in part because I believe it’s a cause we can all get behind, and almost anyone from almost any socioeconomic background can work towards doing so in some capacity. I was thrilled to work with the UN World Food Programme on a recent campaign focused on the link between world hunger and climate change, and sharing ways the average person can reduce their food waste.
I also try to be very mindful of the ways in which living a sustainable lifestyle can be a privilege. In a country where many are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, reducing plastic waste or meat consumption is simply not always a priority for everyone, and that’s beyond understandable. For this reason, I identify with intersectional environmentalism, a form of activism that advocates for both people and planet. I’m a firm believer that our individual choices have an impact, but large-scale, systemic change is still absolutely necessary.
I also want people to be aware that environmentalism and sustainability don’t have to be elitist or limited to groups of people who look a certain way or exist in a certain tax bracket. Sustainability is for everyone, and we all have a role to play. I try to reflect all of this in my online presence, and although I miss the mark at times, I’m continually learning and trying to do better.
How do you think about happiness?
Food makes me happy. Being outside in the natural world makes me happy. Hearing people’s stories makes me happy.
Sunshine, tropical climates, travel, bookstores, native plants, farmers markets, live music, sunsets, long walks, good beer –– the list goes on.
Above all else, community makes me happy.
I’m consistently blown away by the amount of people who believe that we can make a difference in the world and refuse to back down in the face of adversity. As cliche as it may sound, my perfect day would be spent eating good food with good people, having beautiful, interesting conversations filled with lots of laughter. I’m always seeking out those days you wish you could simply bottle up and hold onto. Lucky for me –– and all of us –– I’m sure there are many more of them to come.
Contact Info:
- Email: mynameisbrennan@gmail.
com - Website: www.brennankai.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/brennankai/?hl= en - Other: https://www.tiktok.com/
@brennan.kai?lang=en
Image Credits
Alejandro Goussot Andrea Cespedes
