Freshman launches campaign to reduce plastic waste and save our oceans 

Chloe-Mei Espinosa launches Skip the Plastic Straw which aims to stop the use of single-use plastics and instill sustainable mindsets

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Photo courtesy of Chloe-Mei Espinosa

READY SET GO: Chloe-Mei Espinosa sees the effects of plastic in our oceans firsthand through her many scuba diving adventures. The harmful impact that single-use plastics have on the environment are what caused Espinosa to launch her campaign, Skip the Plastic Straw.

By Lilly Ashworth, Mater Dei High School

The issue of plastic straws and their impact on the environment has become a topic of debate within the past few years. Many people have switched to metal, rubber, and other reusable alternatives in order to reverse the effects of plastic in our oceans. As part of an effort to reduce plastic use amongst individuals, freshman Chloe Mei Espinosa has started her own campaign, Skip the Plastic Straw.

“My main goal is targeting individuals and trying to create a behavior change among them,” Espinosa said. “By doing that it will [have a] domino effect and it’s easier because you can show them these cool alternative straws and they will be intrigued to start their sustainable journey.”

 

“The Ocean Heroes bootcamp really instilled that passion into me and I just wanted to help the environment,” Espinosa said. “It motivated me to go further, especially in my school district. So seeing that I could convince this place that I’ve been to, really motivated me to start going to bigger organizations.”

 

“It meant so much to me that they listened to me and heard my idea and what I was saying, even though I was just a kid,” Espinosa said.

 

“When they [TIME magazine] told me, it was amazing because it feels so nice to be recognized for your work when you’re always working so hard and trying to push that message,” Espinosa said. “I think what TIME for Kids and Nickelodeon are doing is so cool and when I heard that I was in the top 20, I was so humbled and honored.”

SPREAD THE WORD: Chloe-Mei Espinosa stands at her booth during the EarthFest that takes place in Irvine, CA. Espinosa reached out to other vendors spreading similar messages and received many more pledges from people to stop using plastic straws. “Through my campaign, I’ve learned that it’s possible for one person, adult or kid, to make a difference for our environment,” Espinosa said. (Photo courtesy of Chloe-Mei Espinosa)

Espinosa did not receive the award, but the nomination was enough to motivate her to continue her campaign efforts. Espinosa plans to keep working for this campaign in order to make a big impact on the ocean.

“I was so inspired and that passion just came back into me and it makes me feel stronger and motivated to just keep going and push harder,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa’s nominations for Kid of the Year and many other awards are not the only things that motivate her to keep growing her campaign. Her family is a big source of inspiration that helps with every aspect of her campaign. Espinosa’s grandmother is a main source of her motivation.

“[My grandmother] would always motivate me because she was the only one who knew about my campaign at the very start,” Espinosa said. “She would be so supportive about it and she would just love to hear about all the news I had with my campaign.”

Another big supporter of Espinosa is her sister, Ella Lin Espinosa. Over quarantine, the two sisters started a YouTube channel, The Sustainable Sisters. Through this channel, they have been able to spread the word for alternatives to plastic straws and other single-use plastics. The goal of her channel is to create a sustainable mindset for individuals.

INSPIRING YOUTH: Chloe-Mei Espinosa presents to over 80 kids at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, CA in February 2020. Campers ages 3-12 listened to Espinosa explain the importance of alternative plastics. “It makes me feel very proud to know that I’ve inspired kids to make a difference,” Espinosa said. “One of the main reasons for my campaign is to educate others and to inspire them to take steps toward leading a sustainable lifestyle.” (Photo courtesy of Chloe-Mei Espinosa)

“They [viewers] don’t have to go completely zero waste. They can take that small step to use a sustainable alternative instead of a plastic bag,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa’s nominations, awards, and support from her family and institutions has created a big support system for Skip the Plastic Straw. Through public speaking and reaching out to others about her campaign, Espinosa has been able to grow in her own public speaking skills and see how her actions have inspired others. After speaking to thousands of people, Espinosa has witnessed other kids wanting to use alternative straws and maybe even start their own campaign.

“I think those moments right there help motivate me to do more public speaking and talk in front of more people,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa has been able to inspire so many young people throughout her campaign and its success. She has been able to share her advice and stories so young people know they are capable of making a change. Although her campaign’s main goal is to reduce plastic waste, inspiring children to make a difference is an important aspect of Skip the Plastic Straw.

“Through my campaign, I’ve learned that it’s possible for one person, adult or kid, to make a difference for our environment,” Espinosa said. “All it takes is for someone to care passionately enough to start their journey…”

This story was originally published on The Scarlet Scroll on March 15, 2021.