Bali sisters say 'Bye Bye Plastic Bags'

Summary

Malati and Isabel, two young sisters from Bali, are the founders of Bye-Bye Plastic Bags, an initiative tackling plastic pollution. Inspired by the beauty of their island, they have fought for change since a young age, highlighting the global plastic crisis. They have spoken at the United Nations and led campaigns to ban single-use plastics in Bali. Advocating for urgent action and ambitious goals, they believe that youth hold the power to drive environmental change, with a message that no one is too young to make a difference.

Takeaways

• 😀 Malati and Isabel are sisters and founders of 'Bye-Bye Plastic Bags,' an initiative focused on combating plastic pollution.
• 😀 They have spoken at major international platforms like the United Nations and are widely recognized in Bali for their climate advocacy.
• 😀 Growing up in Bali, they were inspired to fight plastic pollution due to its widespread presence in the environment, even in nature.
• 😀 Indonesia is the world's second-largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with only 10% of plastic waste being recycled.
• 😀 Single-use plastic bags were banned in Bali in 2019, but the sisters believe more urgent actions are needed to tackle plastic waste.
• 😀 Malati and Isabel advocate for faster and more ambitious action from policymakers to tackle plastic pollution on a global scale.
• 😀 The sisters are inspired by figures like Nelson Mandela and Lady Diana and use their platforms to push for significant environmental policy changes.
• 😀 Indonesia has committed to reducing marine plastic debris by 70% within five years, aiming for a plastic-free ocean by 2040.
• 😀 Young people are a driving force for change, and Malati and Isabel emphasize that youth can make a significant impact in solving global issues.
• 😀 The sisters urge that no one should be told they are 'too young' to make a difference, highlighting the power of youth in shaping the future.
• 😀 Malati and Isabel believe that youth represent 25% of the global population but 100% of the future, emphasizing the importance of youth activism.

Q & A

What inspired Malati and Isabel to start Bye-Bye Plastic Bags?

Malati and Isabel were inspired by their upbringing in Bali, where they noticed the widespread presence of plastic pollution despite the island being called a 'paradise.' The constant exposure to plastic in nature motivated them to take action and fight against plastic pollution.

What is the significance of Bali in the sisters' activism?

Bali plays a key role in Malati and Isabel's activism because it is where they grew up and witnessed firsthand the harmful effects of plastic pollution in nature. It was the island's beauty that spurred them to protect the environment, ultimately leading to the creation of Bye-Bye Plastic Bags.

Why is Indonesia a major focus in the fight against plastic pollution?

Indonesia is one of the world's largest contributors to ocean plastic pollution, producing at least 37 pounds of plastic waste per person annually. The country's recycling rate is very low, with the majority of waste ending up in landfills or along coastlines.

What change happened in Bali in 2019 regarding plastic use?

In June 2019, Bali implemented a ban on single-use plastic. This was a significant step in reducing plastic waste in the region, but Malati and Isabel continue to push for more urgent and comprehensive actions.

What is the role of young people in combating climate change according to Malati and Isabel?

Malati and Isabel believe that young people have a crucial role in pushing for more ambitious environmental policies and actions. They stress that youth can make a significant difference and should not wait until they are older to create change.

What actions do Malati and Isabel want from global leaders to address plastic pollution?

They urge leaders to set higher and more ambitious goals for tackling plastic pollution. They emphasize the importance of implementing renewable energy solutions and empowering communities to act, stressing that change needs to happen on a larger scale and much faster.

How does Malati and Isabel's activism challenge the pace of global environmental change?

They argue that the pace of change is far too slow, especially given the urgency of the climate crisis. Their activism calls for stronger leadership and quicker implementation of policies to address environmental issues like plastic pollution.

What is the goal that Indonesia set at the World Economic Forum regarding plastic pollution?

At the World Economic Forum, Indonesia committed to reducing marine plastic debris by 70% within the next five years and to achieving a plastic pollution-free status by 2040.

What message do Malati and Isabel want to convey to young people about their ability to make a difference?

Malati and Isabel want young people to understand that they have the power to make a difference right now. They believe that age should not be a barrier to activism and that youth can lead significant change in the world.

How do Malati and Isabel define the power of young people in the future?

They view young people as 100% of the future, despite being only 25% of the current global population. They believe the youth hold the power to shape the world and should take action now to address pressing environmental issues.