Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
When Molly was 9 years old, she went to see a movie called ‘A Plastic Ocean.’ She learnt that plastic never breaks down and that our oceans all over the world are filling up with plastic. And worse still, animals are confusing the plastic for food, eating it and getting sick.
Molly started thinking about ways she could help the sea animals. She thought of all the different types of plastics and decided to start by picking one. Inspired by a video of a turtle with a straw stuck up its nose, Molly decided to focus on plastic straws. This is when StrawNoMore was born. For the initial launch of her campaign, Molly decided to start by focussing just on her school.
Her first step was to email her school principal to organise a meeting. He replied and they set up a meeting in which Molly asked him if they could stop using plastic straws at school. Molly explained there was no need to use straws at school and that they harmed the environment. Her principal was convinced and the school stopped using straws! Next, schools in the area found out about Molly’s plan and they wanted to join. Before Molly knew it, schools on the other side of the world had contacted her too!
In 2018, Molly was named Cairns Young Woman of the Year. In her thank you speech, Molly encouraged the Mayor of Cairns to strive for Cairns to become the first plastic straw free council in Australia. The Mayor accepted the young girl’s challenge and agreed to phase out plastic straws. Molly’s determination is inspiring. She is committed to completely getting rid of plastic straws and will not stop until she has succeeded. Despite having achieved great success so far, Molly says, ‘My job isn’t done yet. I am going to keep going until plastic straws are out of every school in Cairns, in Queensland, in Australia, and maybe one day in the world.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Inspiring girls to learn about and aspire to work in science and technology subjects since she was 16 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
