Tanith: It has never been more important for people to take responsibility for plastic pollution, what are your top tips for people wanting to reduce waste?
Amy: It’s something that everyone needs to get involved in, young people are taking the initiative because we can't afford not to. We don't see action being taken by those in power. We've decided to step up and do our bit and I think that, with sustainability especially, there seems to be this outlook that you need to be Greta Thunberg to be involved, you need to dedicate your life to it or be really extreme in your actions. It doesn't have to be like that, sustainability is something for everyone. That's why we came up with the idea of Plastic Clever. My main tips would be starting small and finding ways to fit sustainability into your everyday life. Whether it’s plastic bottle you can avoid by using a reusable bottle and save money at the same time. Small things like that are easy to implement, but make a big difference because in the UK an average person uses over 100 plastic bottles a year. Imagine the impact that cutting a plastic bottle from your life would have. It’s super powerful and super positive.
Tanith: Aside from Kids Against Plastic you are on the verge of launching Yes! A youth empowerment scheme, what is your ambition for this and do you have anything else in the pipeline?
Amy: Through Kids Against Plastic we learned the importance of youth involvement in issues, whether it's plastic pollution or the other massive issues facing our planet, like climate crisis, gender equality or racial justice. Youth involvement is so powerful and important. From my personal experience being involved in activism, the skills that I've developed through campaigning, I'd never have done in a classroom. Public speaking and writing for a purpose are hugely important skills for later life, that seem to be forgotten in the education system. If we put together YES!, a youth empowerment scheme, it would help young people to develop these important skills themselves. It could be really powerful and help more young people get involved in activism. It can seem quite daunting getting involved and making a difference, but actually if we can help give young people with the skills and confidence to do so, then it can make a positive difference. I’m going to launch it in the near future with three or more levels which develop different skills in activism including public speaking, writing and video making. They will get progressively more advanced throughout the levels so that by the end of it a young person could leave feeling really confident in themselves and hopefully running their own campaign or cause as well. ∎
Learn more about Kids Against Plastic
www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk
@kidsagainstplastic TANITH HARDING
Director of International Development, The Legacy Project, RoundTable Global www.awarenessties.us/tanith-harding Tanith is leading change management through commitment to the RoundTable Global Three Global Goals of: Educational Reform, Environmental Rejuvenation & Empowerment for All. She delivers innovative and transformational leadership and development programmes in over 30 different countries and is also lead on the international development of philanthropic programmes and projects. This includes working with a growing team of extraordinary Global Change Ambassadors and putting together the Global Youth Awards which celebrate the amazing things our young people are doing to change the world.
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www.IamAwareNow.com