To fight poverty, support small farmers

LAST YEAR THE WORLD BANK REPORTED THAT AT LEAST 1 in 5 Africans goes to bed hungry and an estimated 140 million people in Africa face acute food insecurity.

- IDRIS ELBA

That is 20% of the African population who require urgent and critical interventions to transform their livelihoods. These numbers are staggering, and are a motivating force for my activism.

I'm often asked why I am so interested in the causes I work on. "You're an actor, why the focus on farming and climate?"

It raises the question, What makes a climate activist? To me, activism means showing up for the causes you believe in and working to effect positive change. That could be by signing a petition, making a donation, or joining a protest. It could also be picking up litter to improve your environment or planting seeds in neglected public spaces. In my view, anyone who cares about the planet and the people on it is a climate activist. Whatever you care about, activism is the simple act of showing up and letting your voice be heard.

I'm not a farmer, but I love my vegetables. And I'm thankful for the food I eat because I know where it's grown. I also know that the people who are growing it are often hungry and unheard.