Artist Profile Page

Alyssa Castelluccio

@wildandwaves

Inner Animal: Stingray

Alyssa is currently a Senior studying Art at Columbia College in South Carolina. She's a conservation artist and graphic designer at Riverbanks Zoo. Alyssa combines her love for animals with her passion for art to promote an appreciation for all creatures!

What inspired you to take part in our Artist Collaboration Program?

Pela’s goal to work towards a waste free future is in line with my personal mission to be more sustainable! Who knew a phone case could be compostable?! Makes you think about what else can be more green!

Tell us about your level of environmental practices in your home, community etc?

I try to remember that being more sustainable doesn’t have to be an exhaustive transformation; it just requires some minor changes. Carpooling, refusing single-use plastic, and using reusable products are where I started, now I continue to change other habits and think about what else I can do to be more green.

Why do you think it's important to be environmentally friendly today?

“The next 10 years will be the most important in the next 10,000 years for doing what it takes to ensure an enduring place for humankind in the future.” ~Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle: It’s only going to get harder. The sooner we act to protect what we still have, the easier it will be to to help restore. Today we can help by largely by just taking the pressure off.

Where did the inspiration come for the case you designed?

Obviously my inspiration was the polar bear! I bet you know that Polar bears need our help… but do you know what YOU can do to help? Try setting your thermostat up or down (depending on the season) by at least two degrees to reduce your energy consumption. This small action reduces energy waste and greenhouse gas pollution. In order to save the polar bear, we must make positive changes to mitigate climate change. How does climate change affect polar bears so dramatically? Polar bears rely on sea ice (like the ice on the case). With less sea ice every year, polar bears and many other ice-dependent creatures are at risk.

What is one thing you do in your life, that makes a positive impact on the environment?

I challenge the people around me to try to be more green. We ALL must be working towards a more sustainable future!

What suggestion would you give to someone who wanted to live more 'green' but overwhelmed on how?

Every day we make choices in our lives that affect the environment. So start small! Living a more sustainable lifestyle can be as simple as swapping your plastic water bottle for a reusable variety or promising to only buy your eggs and produce from the farmers market. Adopting just one of these habits is an incredibly positive thing—and chances are that once it becomes a ritual, you'll start to think about what else you can do.

What is your favourite quote?

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot nothing is going to get better. It's not" ~the Lorax

See the Polar Bear case here!

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