Rebecca Tarbotton

Rebecca Tarbotton1

Rebecca Tarbotton (1973 – December 26, 2012) was a prominent environmental activist and the executive director of the Rainforest Action Network (RAN). She was known for her work in environmental advocacy, particularly in the areas of climate change, deforestation, and human rights.

Early Life and Education

Rebecca Tarbotton was born in 1973 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up with a strong connection to nature, which influenced her future career in environmental activism. Tarbotton attended the University of British Columbia, where she earned a degree in geography.

Career

Early Career

Before joining the Rainforest Action Network, Tarbotton worked with various environmental organizations. She was involved in projects that focused on sustainable agriculture, water rights, and community development.

Rainforest Action Network

Rebecca Tarbotton joined the Rainforest Action Network in 2007 and became its executive director in 2010. Under her leadership, RAN launched several high-profile campaigns targeting major corporations and financial institutions to adopt more sustainable and ethical practices.

One of her notable achievements was the campaign against Cargill, one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States, which led to significant changes in the company's palm oil sourcing policies. She also played a crucial role in the campaign to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that posed significant environmental risks.

Personal Life

Rebecca Tarbotton was married to Jesse Kalisher, a photographer. The couple shared a deep commitment to environmental and social justice causes.

Death

Rebecca Tarbotton tragically passed away on December 26, 2012, while vacationing in Mexico. She drowned in a swimming accident at the age of 39. Her death was a significant loss to the environmental community, and she is remembered for her passionate advocacy and leadership.

Legacy

Rebecca Tarbotton's work continues to inspire environmental activists around the world. The Rainforest Action Network established the Rebecca Tarbotton Memorial Fund to honor her legacy and support ongoing environmental campaigns.

See Also

• Environmentalism
• Climate change activism
• Deforestation
• Human rights