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Teen Activist Turns the Tide

Gradient Ocean

Brian Otieno

Jul 18, 2024

Indonesia

Categories:

Environmental Activism, Oceans, Pollution, Plastic Waste, Sustainability

Melati Wijsen, a 19-year-old environmental activist from Bali, Indonesia, has led a global movement since she was 12. She co-founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags with her sister Isabel to eliminate single-use plastic bags in Bali. Inspired by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, they rallied their community, organizing Bali’s Biggest Clean Up, which mobilized 57,500 people and removed 155 tons of plastic.


By 2018, they convinced the Balinese government to ban single-use plastic bags, a regulation enacted in July 2019. Today, Bye Bye Plastic Bags is a global movement with teams in 29 countries. Despite this success, Wijsen believes change isn’t happening quickly enough.


To accelerate progress, she launched Youthtopia, a hub for young activists. Youthtopia provides resources and training for aspiring leaders, covering public speaking and government interaction skills. Melati emphasizes the urgency of youth action, advocating for practical solutions and collaboration with businesses and political leaders. Her advice includes leveraging consumer power, partnering with supportive groups, and engaging with organizations for broader impact.


Melati Wijsen's journey shows how determined young people can drive significant environmental change, inspiring global youth to take action.


Here are 10 practical ways inspired by Melati Wijsen that individuals can adopt in their own communities to combat plastic pollution:

1. Organize Regular Clean-Up Events: Gather friends and neighbors for community clean-ups to remove plastic waste from parks, beaches, and streets.

2. Advocate for Plastic Bans: Petition local businesses and governments to implement bans on single-use plastics like bags and straws.

3. Start a Recycling Initiative: Set up neighborhood recycling stations and educate residents on what materials can be recycled locally.

4. Promote Reusable Alternatives: Encourage friends and family to switch to reusable bags, bottles, and containers instead of single-use plastics.

5. Educate Youth: Host workshops in schools or community centers to educate children and teens about the impacts of plastic pollution and how they can make a difference.

6. Support Eco-Friendly Businesses: Patronize and promote businesses prioritizing sustainable packaging and products.

7. Reduce Plastic Packaging: When shopping, choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging and advocate for businesses to do the same.

8. Join or Start a Green Team: Form a group within your workplace or neighborhood to brainstorm and implement eco-friendly initiatives.

9. Raise Awareness: Use social media, local newsletters, or posters to raise awareness about plastic pollution and share tips for reducing plastic consumption.

10. Engage Politically: Attend town hall meetings or write letters to local officials advocating for stronger environmental policies and funding for waste management.


These practical actions can empower individuals to contribute effectively to reducing plastic pollution in their communities, inspired by Melati Wijsen's impactful initiatives in Bali.


Photo by Cristian Palmer on Unsplash.

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Catalog #:

0724.113.06.071824

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