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Shelby O’Neil: A 17-year-old Girl Scout persuading giant companies to eliminate or slash their use of environment damaging plastics
The global environment is suffering from massive pollution, and many people hope governments will do something about it.
But Shelby decided she could do something about it and incredibly, she is.
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It began with Shelby starting a nonprofit, Jr Ocean Guardians, which educates school children about plastics and recycling, and hosts beach cleanups with the children.
But she is also focused on adults.
Last Fall, then 16-year-old Shelby sent letters to a group of giant companies explaining to them why it is necessary for them to act.
For example:
The letter to San Francisco based Dignity Health, which has 39-hospitals, was triggered by their commercial depicting a disposable plastic straw blowing out a birthday candle.
“Did you know that straws are one of the top ocean polluters?” Shelby wrote to the CEO.
Some of O'Neil's young participants in her Jr. Ocean Guardians program.
Photo: benitolink.com
In response, to her letters, the CEO of Dignity, and then the CEO of Farmer Brothers coffee and a senior manager of Alaska replied.
Each company will now eliminate or sharply reduce its use of disposable plastics.
When the Washington Post asked her why companies would listen to her, she laughed and replied, “I guess confidence?”
“I was never really scared of reaching out to companies, because someone needed to do it.” And she added, “If no one else is doing it, then I’ll do it.”
Editor's Note:
To learn more, click here. The Washington Post is our source for this story.
In the next KazanToday:
The remarkable story of a woman who rescues endangered elephants.
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