Guest Editor: Sarah Michler

IRL

Guest Editor: Sarah Michler

January 14th, 2020

A Tuckernuck Girl inspires us with her zest for life, intelligence, unique sense of style, kindness, and talent. She embodies what we believe to be the Tuckernuck spirit out and about in the real world. Meet Sarah, an environmentalist who raises awareness about pressing issues through film and youth educational programs. We sat down with her to get her top tips for how we could all be more environmentally friendly in the new year.

Sarah, shown here on Nantucket, recently coproduced the feature film "Semper Fi" which came out in the fall of 2019. In the future she hopes to use film as a platform for raising awareness about environmental issues.

1. Save energy

Unplug chargers when they’re not in use, reduce the temperature on your heating system’s thermostat by a few degrees, use low energy lightbulbs (compact fluorescent lamps typically use one-third electricity compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs and can last fifteen times longer.)

Sarah at her summer camp in Nantucket, where she teaches children about their impact on the oceans.

2. Save water

Take shorter showers, turn off the water tap when you’re brushing your teeth, only boil as much water as you need to cook.

3. Reduce waste

Try bringing your own coffee cup to your local shop, bring a reusable water bottle to work, use reusable cloths instead of paper towel rolls (I like Mioeco’s “unpaper washable towels” and keep them in a jar by my sink.)

4. Eat wisely

Try giving up meat for one day a week, eat locally sourced food and embrace the farmers market, try to avoid food with unnecessary packaging (I like to bring my own mesh bags to the grocery store to avoid using plastic bags for produce. I like Naturally Sensible’s mesh produce bags.)

The Questionnaire

What inspired you to become involved in film production?

I think film is the most powerful medium to tell stories. I hope to make an impact through film.

When did you know you wanted to be an environmentalist?

I grew up sailing and swimming in the ocean and I have always felt happiest near the ocean. When I recently realized the fragile state of the ocean, it made me want to teach children about how we can care for and protect our ocean. I believe that if we can inspire young children to care about our environment, it will help to instill long-lasting environmentally responsible behaviors. My ocean camp on Nantucket this summer was based around art projects, film, and interactive beach walks in order to make learning creative and fun.

Three words to describe your personal style?

Natural, relaxed, classic.

Favorite morning routine?

I love starting the morning with yoga. Moving my body is often a more effective wake-up than coffee!

Who is the filmmaker or icon you'd love to have a drink with?

David Attenborough

Currently reading?

Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have by Tatiana Schlossberg.

Favorite travel Destination?

Anywhere near the ocean!

Favorite recent adventure?

Last summer I sailed with a crew of all women through the North Pacific Ocean in order to study and raise awareness about the plastic problem in our seas. It was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences that I have ever had. The organization is called eXXpedition and they are about to kick-off an around-the-world trip to continue the data collection. I hope to join one of the legs!

Nantucket go-to's?

Bike rides through Sconset, a tennis match at the Casino, dinner at Chanticleer, and always a quick stop for ice cream at the Sconset market.