Meet Kal Glanznig, Australian Young Filmmaker and Environmental Activist
From a young age, Kal Glanznig of Cronulla, New South Wales, was captivated by the environment. Maybe it was his mother’s stories about the disappearing sand dunes of Cronulla, or perhaps it was hearing about his father’s expeditions with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) that sparked his passion for protecting nature. Whatever it was, that early spark has become a powerful flame.
Take 3 for the Sea Co-Founder Tim Silverwood (left), and Kal Glanznig (right)
Like many in his generation, Kal had his environmental awakening during a science class when he watched Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. The documentary ignited a multi-year campaign to reduce his high school’s carbon emissions by installing solar panels on the roof. Not only did he help secure funding for the panels, but he also created a framework that inspired nearly 20 schools across Sydney to do the same—drastically reducing their emissions and kickstarting a movement.
James Griffin (left) and Kal (right) pictured at Take 3’s CEO Clean Up Manly
Shocked by the plastic pollution choking the waters off Cronulla, Kal went on to co-found Plastic Free Cronulla. Working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, he tackled the plastic problem head-on—using gamification, positivity and community spirit to encourage behaviour change. One business at a time, one school at a time, he built a movement that turned the tide on single-use plastics in the region.
His guiding mantra?
“If you want to change the world, start by changing your world.”
Kal and Michael Elias, CEO and Founder of Upparel (left)
Kal’s grassroots impact soon gained national and global attention. He was invited as a delegate to COP27—the United Nations’ 27th annual climate change conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. There, Kal saw first-hand that the environmental challenges faced in his own backyard were shared across the globe, often on a much larger scale. This realisation made him even more determined to take action—and to inspire others to do the same.
That drive led to his latest creative venture: Rising Up—a powerful short film co-produced with Take 3 for the Sea. The film spotlights emerging young environmental leaders whose voices speak directly to Gen Z. Kal’s aim? To take viewers on a journey that uncovers untold stories of hope, and to offer real solutions to the intertwined crises of climate change and ocean plastic. At the heart of his filmmaking is the belief that while the problems we face are big, hope lies in action—and change always starts with the first step.
Rising Up has been touring across Australia with screenings in cinemas, at festivals, and even in Federal Parliament as part of the Parliament Friends of Waste. In February, it crossed the Pacific for its U.S. debut.
Snapshot from the Rising Up series
And in even more exciting news, Kal was recently elected as a Councillor for Sutherland Shire—a testament to his commitment to serving his community and creating lasting impact both on the ground and in policy.
🎬 Want to see Rising Up for yourself?
Head to Rising Up TV to watch the trailer and find out when you can catch it at a local screening near you.
📲 Follow Kal on Instagram @kalglanznig to stay up to date on upcoming screenings of Rising Up.
Teachers, this is for you! Through our FREE online education program, the Ocean Classroom Initiative (OCI), teachers can now access extended episodes of Rising Up along with curriculum-aligned lesson plans—designed to spark meaningful conversations and inspire environmental action in classrooms across the globe. With over 500 teachers already signed up, we’re thrilled to be sharing these resources far and wide!
Thanks to SCJohnson for supporting the development of these educational resources.
