My name is Mary-Louves Joubert and I’m 16 years old. I live in Cape Town South Africa and go to Malkbosstrand Private school school. I am in grade 10 and I run an eco club called ECOM which stands for eco friendly community. My hobbies include volunteering singing rhythmic gymnastics archery and dancing and art. I have 5 siblings and two amazing loving parents and I have a ton of pets. I have 4 cats one dog and too many fish to count. I am very passionate about the environment and it has been a dream of mine to help heal the planet since I could remember. I speak 3 languages such an English Afrikaans and french and I am currently learning Korean and Mandarin. I also enjoy running and exercising but that’s just a little more about me.
INTRODUCTION
Name: Mary-Louves Joubert
Age: 16 years old
School: Melkbosstrand Private school
Grade: 10
Gender: Female
Location: Table view, Bloubergstrand
- Personal Connection to Environmental Issues
– How do you feel about the current problem of plastic pollution and its impact on our oceans and natural ecosystems? Can you share any personal experiences that have shaped your views on this issue?
Personally I think that plastic not just in the oceans and the environment but also in the cities is a major problem that we need to combat. I think the fact that numerous individuals can just walk past a piece of plastic and it won’t hit a nerve or the fact that that piece of plastic will eventually end up in the oceans or any other water sources and that thought doesn’t even cross there mind it astounds me. It is crazy because I wish that it would just be general knowledge that yes plastic goes into the oceans but it kills the ecosystem system in the ocean and fish is a food source to not only other animals but to us as humans so the fact that we cause the problem of plastic waste and we don’t realise that the “ no not my problem “ statement that gets thrown around will eventually become our problem because we’ll lose one of the biggest food sources we have which I think needs to be addressed starting with the younger generation because it’s much easier to ignite passion within them than to grownups who are carrying all the stress of their jobs and financial troubles. Kids are really excitable which could only benefit what we are trying to achieve here. I don’t think we realise that kids want to make a difference they just don’t see opportunities to do so. A year and a half ago I started a Eco group within my school with the expectation that it will only be one or two kids who would be interested but I was flabbergasted by the fact that over 30 individuals wanted to join mostly because they saw an opportunity and they all came with amazing ideas on how we can improve multiple different problems were facing in the Eco battle we are all fighting in. It left me feeling so hopeful and inspired. It makes me really happy when I get to feel like I’m contributing to the change and to be apart of the ripple effect. But it makes me sad to see how much waste there is everywhere like we were doing a beach cleanup and in less than two hours we probably picked up more than 10kg of plastic in less than a km it was devastating and heartbreaking. So I want to inspire as many people as possible to help me and the change makers around the world cause imagine if everyone just helped a little it would go a long way but it would take time. There is a lot more but I only highlighted a few important things.
- Nomination Experience
– How does it feel to be nominated by Michelle to be appointed as an EcoChangemakers Youth Advocate? What does this nomination mean to you personally and professionally?
To be asked to be a youth advocate made me so happy I remember when she asked me I got so excited I could barely contain my excitement but I wanted to look professional so I was having a party in my mind. Being a junior advocate for a group of people who loves the environment just as much as I do has been a dream of mine since a very young age since I could remember I loved helping the environment. Filling in this nomination form means committing to change and making a difference it means enabling my passion for the environment to be contagious so it could spread to other people to I can help contribute to the ripple effect. It means being a vessel to change.
- Importance of the Charity’s Mission
– Why do you believe the mission of ChangeMakersHub is so important for the environment? How do you think it contributes to creating lasting change?
Because the environment is like a gift given to us and it kills me to watch people destroy it like they are it makes every hair on my body stand up in the worst way possible. I think what they are trying to do is truly impactful and if the right people stand belong side them we could truly build our way to a brighter future. I do agree that Plastic is such a major issue that we just can’t stress enough. The importance of a clean environment is so important but cleaning it starts with teaching them. And that is exactly what these wonderful people do and I 100% stand by them and support them all the way.
- Role Modelling and Leadership
– As an advocate, how do you see the role of leading by example? Can you give an example of how you strive to embody the values of sustainability in your own life?
I don’t see my role as leading but rather inspiring and touching people with the hand that strives to make a difference and impact the environment cause people are like sheep they follow so if you lead by example well enough people will follow if you inspire them , touch their heart and somehow get through to them we can be unstoppable and the chain reaction will keep going till we reach the nations and once people feel the difference in how it feels when they make a difference and start becoming reliant on that feeling and their passion ignites we are more than just people we become family of eco warriors. I am currently inspiring kids in my school to make a difference by making a clean environment inspire them I do the work I leave the rest up to nature.
- Using Your Voice
– Being an advocate also means using your voice to influence others. What message do you feel is most crucial to share with the world regarding environmental conservation and sustainability?
I feel like there are two answers to this question which through the years have influenced and changed my perspective so drastically. Which are “Create the change you’d like to see” and “ Be apart of the solution not the pollution “ and I feel like this hits a nerve in most people this is where the passion for the environment starts to stir.
- Engaging the Community
– How do you plan to engage your community/school/team and inspire others to support the EcoChangemakers initiative? What strategies do you think might be effective in raising awareness about environmental issues?
I plan on engaging the community by letting actions speak louder that words and show them and then art speaks louder than actions since it is interpretive I feel like people only feel the need to help when it designates with them and influences them so if you make them feel that they will start inspiring other people but how would you get this to happen. Well I’ve figured out through experimentation that people are drawn and influenced by stories they are most impacted by testimonies. So I’ve created a club at my school called ECOM that allows their voices to be heard and they can speak freely they can share stories to inspire they form friendships with likeminded individuals and that starts the fire in their hearts.
- Future Aspirations
– What are your hopes for the future regarding environmental sustainability? How do you envision the role of young advocates like yourself in achieving those goals?
I see it as inspiring and caring for the environment which can’t care for itself due to the pain we as society have inflicted upon it and I see it as apologising for the agony and pain and I see it as a way to bring the world together bring people together so we can all stop what could potentially become a mess!
- Support
What do you want to tell the world about supporting this initiative and why
I want to tell them that by supporting not only this cause but also other cause you inspire people you motivate people. You just by supporting are contributing to the ripple effect that change makers hub are working towards. So take a leap of faith and let’s join hands in the fight to heal nature and the natural art of God.
- Call to Action
– What would you like to say to those who are hesitant to take action on environmental issues? How can individuals contribute to the cause, no matter how small their efforts may seem?
I feel like if any brand in the world could inspire the world it would be Nike with there just do it phrase and it’s true it doesn’t take courage people don’t even have to know what you are doing by separating compost and recyclable items you are already making a huge difference or by choosing a reusable packaged item you are helping by having a vegetable garden you are already helping to relieve the air that we breath instead of the pesticides from farming. Always remember you can do anything you put your heart to and if you need help to jumpstart it reach out a community start an eco community if you’d like make friends form a family. Make helping fun make it enjoyable let’s create the change we want to see and let’s do it together.