2026-03-25
Inspiring Empathy, Action, and Environmental Awareness Through Play
Voice actor and streamer Briana White – known to many as TheStrangeRebel – has built a career at the intersection of storytelling and community, using her platform to spark connection, kindness, and meaningful change. Best known as the voice of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII Remake, Briana brings that same sense of purpose to her streaming, where conversations around sustainability are grounded in empathy, shared responsibility, and hope. Speaking with PlanetPlay, she explores how games can inspire action, why community-led change matters, and how even small steps – taken together – can help protect the planet for future generations…
You’re known both as a performer and a streamer with a strong connection to gaming communities. When did environmental sustainability first become important to you personally?
I remember Water Wise messaging from when I was in elementary school. As I've grown, I've paid attention at museums and national parks when they've displayed information about caring for our world. For me, it became clear that we should all do what we can to keep our planet healthy.
Games reach millions of people worldwide – what do you think makes gamers uniquely positioned to drive positive change for the planet?
I think great stories inspire empathy, and games inspire action. We watch TV & films, but we play games. It's an active engagement with the story, which intensifies it. That passion mixed with action is what makes gamers such a force for good.
As a streamer, how do you approach conversations about climate action or green initiatives without making them feel preachy or overwhelming to your audience?
Luckily my audience is very friendly to the idea of green earth initiatives as it is. When we discuss climate action, we never shame or blame. We all take responsibility for our part, and also acknowledge that some of those responsibilities fall outside our control. I feel that hard conversations become easier when respect and kindness are prioritized.
Have you noticed a shift in how gamers respond to environmental topics compared to a few years ago? What gives you the most hope right now?
I think many gamers, by nature, are forward thinking. Because games are often shaped by sci-fi and dystopian lore, we've had a chance to immersively experience future worlds where environmental issues were not respected. What gives me hope is how many gamers are community-oriented. This is an issue we all have to tackle together, one step at a time – a sentiment that many games echo.
PlanetPlay focuses on turning gameplay into real-world environmental impact. What excites you most about initiatives that connect gaming directly to climate action?
What excites me most about PlanetPlay’s strategy is how easy it is to participate. We get to buy the games we want, and the planet benefits. It's a win-win. That’s something that's quite rare these days.
Many fans look up to creators they trust. How do you see your role and responsibility when it comes to influencing sustainable behaviours within the games space?
It's not lost on me that advanced technology has energy costs. These days, it seems like everything costs more and more energy, and that's a cost the planet ends up paying. When the planet pays, so do we. It's all interconnected. I see it as my responsibility as a user of advanced technology to give back to green earth initiatives, and to encourage the same in others.
What advice would you give to other streamers or creators who want to support green initiatives but aren’t sure where to start?
It's easier than ever to connect with your audience for good. Communities want a great cause to rally behind – it gives us a sense of pride to work together to make the world a better place. Streamers can lead the way with platforms like PlanetPlay, or raising money on Tiltify, or educating their audiences. There are also many games streamers can play that highlight the importance of environmental care.
Games often tell powerful stories about survival, worlds at risk, and collective action. Are there any games or narratives that have shaped how you think about environmental responsibility?
As the voice of Aerith in Final Fantasy VII Remake, of course I'm deeply affected by the story of a world at risk due to corrupt companies overmining the planet’s ‘mako’, or life force. In the original Final Fantasy VII, this is a cause that Aerith ultimately gives her life for – a sacrifice that made her one of the most iconic characters in gaming. Given that it’s a 30-year-old franchise, we've been grappling with these environmental issues for far too long, with far too little to show for it.
What are some small, realistic actions gamers can take today that you believe truly make a difference when scaled across a global community?
There are countless small actions we can take as individuals to make a difference in the battle for our planet’s life force! My personal favourite is planting native, water-wise, pollinator-friendly landscaping. I also buy compostable products when possible, and filter water for drinking at home instead of buying it bottled. Even while on the road, buying an aluminium can of water (as a much more recyclable substance) rather than plastic can make a difference when we all make the choice together! Try volunteering with local organisations for things like tree planting, beach clean-ups, and water station set-ups. It's a great way to spend a few hours ‘touching grass’ so the rest of the day can be spent gaming guilt-free.
Looking ahead, how would you like to see the games industry evolve in its approach to sustainability and environmental accountability?
I love that I'm seeing more and more B corps with environmental missions at their core. Individuals can do a lot, but companies are natural communities where large groups of individuals can rally around a shared cause. Companies that organise as B corps can benefit their shareholders while also benefiting the planet. This is a built-in structure I would love to see more gaming companies embrace, no matter their size.