In today’s episode I’m chatting with Melati Wijsen, a 22 year old change maker and movement builder. When she was 12 she started a campaign called Bye Bye Plastic Bags with her sister Isabel to tackle the plastic pollution problem in Bali, where they are from. She went on to become a global spokesperson for not only plastic pollution but also the role young people can play in tackling the climate crisis. She spoke on international stages including TED and the UN headquarters in New York and was listed on Forbes 30 under 30.

10 years later she is now spearheading a new initiative called Youthtopia, which is all about youth empowerment through short and meaningful peer to peer programs. I really enjoyed speaking with Melati about the early days of Bye Bye Plastic Bags and how she managed to channel her youthful energy into creating a global movement for change. Her joy and determination are contagious and I definitely felt inspired and ready to make change happen around me after our conversation!

Want to dive deeper?

Youthtopia - https://www.youthtopia.world/
Bye Bye Plastic Bags - https://byebyeplasticbags.org/
Mountain Mamas - https://byebyeplasticbags.org/mountain-mamas/

Come say hi!

Melati on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melatiwijsen/
Why We Care on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whywecarepodcast/
Tiphaine on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tiphainemarie_/
Discover Earth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/discoverearth/

If you enjoyed the episode and want to help the podcast, I would be super grateful if you could leave a little review or share it with a friend who might like it. A big thank you as well to Discover Earth for partnering with Why We Care and helping raise awareness of the importance of ocean conservation.

Thank you for caring and sending you lots of love!

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How to become a changemaker: where to begin and how to grow a movement with Melati Wijsen, founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags + Youthtopia