Arto Sivonen Interview
Q. To begin, could you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to work at the intersection of human rights and climate action?
I started out as a designer and spent over 20 years working as a creative leader in design and advertising agencies globally. Eventually, I realized I was in the wrong place. The industry was willing to sell almost anything for profit, and I didn't want to use my creativity to drive growth without questioning its impact.
Feeling professionally stalled and wanting to tackle real societal challenges, I left agency life to work independently. Today, I focus on using strategy, creativity, and business to advance human rights, climate action, and equity, concentrating on the questions that truly matter and finding common ground.
Q. How are human rights and the climate crisis more deeply connected than people realise?
We cannot solve the climate crisis without addressing inequality. If we build a sustainable future that only serves the wealthiest few, what are we actually saving? Today, the richest 10% own roughly 76% of global wealth, while the poorest 50% own just 2%.
Climate action cannot be done to people; it must be built with people by respecting their realities and rights. Human rights and environmental action are part of the same fight. Cultural responsibility means recognizing that solutions must be shaped by local cultures, values, and realities across the globe.
Q. What is one common misconception about climate change that you wish more people would question?
We spend too much time on minor details like plastic straws or recyclable plates, which distracts from the core issue: why are we producing and buying so much unnecessary stuff?
Greenwashing begins when we make minor tweaks to an unsustainable system and pretend we're changing the world. Sustainability isn't about making overconsumption a little greener; it's about asking uncomfortable questions about business models dependent on endless growth and rethinking what a good life looks like, fewer, higher-quality things that last longer, paired with deeper human connection.
Q. As a strategist and creative lead, how can creativity turn complex social issues into meaningful public action?
The creative industry needs to examine itself. It frustrates me to see designers and marketers selling things people don't need while treating creativity as an automatic force for good.
Creativity is simply a tool. We can use it to sell more products and mask unsustainable practices, or we can use it to challenge power, change behavior, and imagine better ways of living. To do the latter, creative professionals must understand society, politics, and structural impact. Design education must evolve to teach creative thinking as a tool for systemic questioning, not just visual aesthetics.
Q. What role should storytelling and digital media play in driving awareness about human rights and environmental challenges?
The world is drowning in content produced simply because we have the platforms to do so. Storytelling must do more than attract temporary attention; it must serve a clear purpose, reach the right audience, and inspire action.
While digital media allows us to build global networks, amplify marginalized voices without institutional gatekeepers, and collaborate easily, these platforms are not neutral and can also spread harm. Technology and storytelling alone won't save us, what matters is how we use them, whose voices we elevate, and taking responsibility for the outcomes.
Q. You work across Bengaluru, Nairobi and Helsinki. How has experiencing different cultures shaped your understanding of global challenges?
Originally from Helsinki, I now spend significant time in Bengaluru and Nairobi. Living as an outsider forces you to question your assumptions and realize your worldview isn't the only one. It fosters curiosity, creativity, and an awareness of human complexity.
However, being an outsider requires active engagement, deep listening, and understanding local contexts rather than imposing foreign ideas. Addressing global challenges requires humility and learning from one another, accepting that no single culture holds the complete answer.
Q. As a lecturer and mentor, what is the most important mindset you try to instil in the next generation of changemakers?
I aim to help people unlock their potential, share my international network, and open doors for others. Mentorship is a two-way street; I learn immensely from younger generations when they challenge established norms I've stopped questioning.
We need cross-generational collaboration to solve complex issues. I encourage changemakers to remain curious, question established thinking, and have the courage to try new approaches, even without all the answers upfront.
Q. When working on difficult social issues, how do you stay hopeful without overlooking the seriousness of the challenges?
I focus on moving forward and finding actionable steps rather than dwelling exclusively on problems, which leads to burnout and paralysis.
While we aren't doing enough, our collective understanding of inequality and climate change has advanced significantly compared to a decade ago. That knowledge creates both responsibility and opportunity. I remain optimistic not because problems solve themselves, but because we have a responsibility to keep trying, recognize progress, and build on what works.
Bio
Arto Sivonen is a human rights advocate, climate activist, impact strategist, creative leader, lecturer, and mentor working at the intersection of social impact, design thinking, and sustainability.
Interviewed by Vanshika Gupta
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