ISSUE NO. 05: STEPHANIE SUGANAMI

‘That won’t make a difference,’ or ‘I don’t know enough to engage’—these two sentiments are uniquely dangerous to overarching mission of the climate movement. Stephanie Suganmi knows it well, part of the reason why she founded Future Earth in 2018. “Climate change is cultural, she says, “and culture changes when enough people decide to care.”

The Opus actor, entrepreneur, and all-around it-girl entered the public eye during her 2010s tenure as Kim Kardashian’s executive assistant. Today, in addition to running her “climate club,” she sits on the board of directors of the Climate Reality Project. Stephanie made a point of redirecting eyes from her socials to that of Future Earth’s—an online hub, open to the public, offering fact-checked, accessible, engaging environmental news and initiatives, at the clip of the digital age. The point is to empower newcomers who don’t know where to start when it comes to living greener, and to counter more traditional outlets, which on their own can feel dark or otherwise hard to tune into. As Stephanie expands Future Earth’s scope, she’s bolstered by the knowledge that people want to care, and that education is the most important catalyst for bigger, hands-on change.

MB: Tell me about Future Earth.

STEPHANIE SUGANAMI: I was just beginning my own climate journey—learning what I could and trying to find sources online that I could actually share with my community. Everything felt either too technical or too difficult to understand. And I kept thinking, in this moment where social media really shapes how we consume information, how do we talk about what’s happening to the planet in a way that resonates? How do we translate it into content that feels relatable, aesthetically digestible, and accessible without losing the truth?

MB: When did the sustainability movement first become personal for you?

SS: It wasn’t one dramatic moment. I started noticing things I’d never really questioned before: how much we throw away without thinking, how disconnected our daily lives are from the consequences of what we consume. And then there were the bigger moments—the wildfires, floods—that stopped feeling rare [and more like] the new normal. I couldn’t unsee it. Future Earth came from that place: not from perfection or expertise, but from curiosity and a quiet sense of responsibility. I didn’t want to feel helpless or overwhelmed. I wanted to understand what was actually happening, and share that understanding in a way that felt human.

MB: Across your career, you’ve worn so many hats. Did your move into activism feel like a big departure from, say, acting?

SS: Honestly, it felt very aligned. Acting is about empathy and storytelling. Entrepreneurship is about building better systems. Culture is about influence. Future Earth lives somewhere in the middle of all three. And this feels important to say—I don’t really consider myself an activist.

MB: Why’s that?

SS: I don’t think it’s fair to put myself in the same category as people who are dedicating their lives to this work. I’m just someone who cares deeply, who’s been learning, and who’s trying to use whatever influence and access I have to share the work of the people on the front lines. And I think that’s the point, right? We all have different ways of contributing. Real change happens when it’s a combined effort.

MB: A lot of why Future Earth works is because it’s engaging and cool. What do you think about the value of cool, at this often pretty serious intersection of education and environmental work?

SS: People don’t really connect with blanket information. They connect with feeling. A lot of environmental messaging is built on guilt or fear, and while those emotions are real, they’re exhausting to live with all the time. If something feels aspirational, visually interesting, or culturally relevant, you’re more likely to lean in than tune out.

MB: How has Future Earth been received, from the early days to now? I can see people feeling really grateful—and on the other hand, maybe skeptical of getting science-backed information from quick-changing venues like social media and Substack.

SS: At the beginning, what surprised me most was how much people wanted this. There was a real hunger for information that felt honest but not judgmental. People don’t want to feel powerless—they want to participate in the solution, even in small ways. I completely understand the skepticism around learning science on social media. That’s valid. That’s why rigor and accuracy are foundational to Future Earth.

MB: Are there any issues, these days, that feel particularly urgent to push on your channels?

SS: Greenwashing feels impossible to ignore, and climate inequality. Burnout, too—people care but they feel overwhelmed. Right now clarity is just as urgent as information.

MB: Any voices you were particularly proud to platform on Future Earth?

SS: I’m incredibly grateful for the Climate Talks we’ve made possible—speaking with leaders like Deb Haaland, Al Gore, Leah Thomas, Leah Stokes, Gina McCarthy, and LaTricea Adams, whose work around the Flint water crisis has brought the issue down to a deeply human level.

MB: Speaking of Al Gore, you’re involved with his Climate Reality Project. Could you tell us a bit about what that organization does and why it resonates with you?

SS: The Climate Reality Project is focused on education and activation—helping people understand the reality of the climate crisis, while giving them tools, both globally and locally, to actually do something about it. What resonated with me is how grounded it is, in both science and community. It’s not just about information; it’s about empowering people to participate in change, wherever they are. I truly believe education is a catalyst. The more we understand, the better choices we’re able to make.

MB: What do you envision for your climate club going forward?

SS: I see it evolving beyond content, into real collaborations and tangible impact. That’s really thanks to the team who’s carried Future Earth forward so thoughtfully. They just did an amazing panel at Sundance. They’ve brought so much care and intelligence to the project while keeping the heart the same: grounded in facts and emotional honesty.