Is 13 Too Young to Make a Difference? NO. An Interview with Activist Abby

March 16, 2015

For a school project back in 2012, thirteen-year old Abby Goldberg (who the Internet knows as Activist Abby) was campaigning with her friends to help pass a local ban on single-use plastic bags in her hometown of Grayslake, Illinois when Big Plastic struck back.

“My friends and I were making great progress,” she says, “until the oil and chemical industry pulled a dirty trick to kill my campaign; these lobbyists used the politicians that they bought to pass a bill that would make it illegal for towns across Illinois to create plastic bag bans! Even worse, they’re trying to make it look like a green environmental bill, by putting in a few ridiculously-low requirements for so-called ‘recycling’ of plastic bags, and are bragging they’re going to make it ‘a model bill for all states!’”

In response, she campaigned – successfully – to stop that ban from going through.  She and the  174,000 people who signed her Change.org petition asked Governor Quinn to veto the bill, and it worked!  The Governor even gave her a personal call to let her know that she had won her fight against Big Plastic.

Now 15 years old, Activist Abby shares with FTBS some of her biggest challenges and why she fervently believes that you’re never too young to make a difference.  We think she is a role model for all young ocean (and planet!) caretakers of any age!

Abby at a Green Fair displaying the number of plastic bags given out in a single checkout lane in just 2 hours.

 

Give us a picture of who you are.

My name is Abby Goldberg. I live in Grayslake, IL which is about 50 miles north of Chicago. I attend Grayslake Central High School as a sophomore and I am 15 yrs. old.

 

Outside of your work fighting big plastic, what things do you love?  What do you like to do for fun?

I really enjoy horse-back riding (I compete locally), watching movies and spending time with my friends.

 

You’ve been featured in a lot of media.  Tell  us the story of your project!

It all started in 7th grade when my environmentally focused school asked all the students to come up with a project that helped out the community and the environment. This two -year project was a graduation requirement. One day I was flipping through a magazine and there was a picture of a bird entangled in a plastic bag. Seeing that picture is when I realized that’s what I wanted my project to be. I am an animal lover and this made me sad and angry. I also live less than a mile from a landfill and on windy days temporary fencing is put up to catch thousands of plastic bags. I decided I was going to try and convince Grayslake to ban plastic bags!

After months of research and frustration as to what to do, I got in touch with a film maker from California. Together we decided that I was going to try and make a film with kids to try and convince the village of Grayslake to ban bags. Just as we were getting started, Senate Bill SB3442 was introduced and found its way to the Governor’s desk. This bill, in basic terms, was a BAN on plastic bag bans and instead promoted the recycling as a solution to plastic bag litter.

As I learned through all my research, plastic bags are difficult to recycle into new bags and most often downcycled, it’s not a closed loop system. This was a band aid solution. I was just about to give up until the film maker I had previously been in contact with, suggested I start a petition on Change.org to ask the Governor to veto this bill. With the help of social media, I was able to 174,000 signatures on my petition. I got to hand deliver my petition to the Governor himself.  And a few weeks later, he personally called my house to tell me he was going to veto the bill.

Since then, I have learned that my town cannot ban bags because of an Illinois law regarding home rule so, I ‘ve been concentrating on educating the public about reusable bags and the dangers of plastic bags. I do this through my Facebook page, public speaking and green fairs. I love talking to other kids!

 

 

What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced?

The biggest challenge for me was my age. A lot of people didn’t respect me at first because I was only 12 when I first started. A lot of adults, including village officials wanted me to concentrate on recycling and clean up efforts. But, with hard work, dedication and passion I am able to keep going.

 

What about your biggest success?

In my opinion, my biggest success was stopping the bill because it was going to be an example for other states. Unfortunately a few states have bills like this, Florida and now possibly Georgia and Missouri. My other success is earning the respect of other adult activists. I have had speaking engagements to a few adult environmental groups and I have testified twice at Chicago City Hall for their plastic bag legislation.

 

Who or what were some helpful resources for you?

Ben Zolno, the film maker (Plastic State of Mind) from California, was my mentor throughout the whole project and still is!. He helped me navigate social media, create the petition, get me in touch with other people and help me prepare for interviews. Organizations that are a huge help with plastic bag information are 5Gyres, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Plasticbaglaws.org and Bag It The Movie. I was able to sail with 5Gyres on an Atlantic Ocean plastic pollution expedition.

 

 

Are you still campaigning?

Yes. I am mainly focusing on education at this point. I do this by keeping up with Facebook and Twitter as well as public speaking at events and at town meetings that are discussing legislation. I write letters to representatives and newspapers. I love to give advice to others who ask about starting their own campaigns! I still concentrate on plastic bags, but I’ve also realized how bad plastic pollution is in general!

 

What advice would you give to other young people who want to protect and clean up the planet?

I would tell young kids to follow their dreams no matter your age. If you see something you want to change, don’t let anything stop you. Be the change! There are people out there who are willing to help and listen. If you are passionate about it, people will respect you. The neat thing about activists is that they help other activists. It is a great community! Kids need to realize we are future custodians of the planet. We may not have money, the vote or lobbyists, but we have our voices! Shout it out!

 

And just for fun…zombies, robots, or pirates?

Robots 😉

 

 

 

Follow Activist Abby on Facebook and Twitter to see what’s next in the fight against Big Plastic.

Got a story of your own fight?  Know someone who’s doing amazing work?  Let us know and we’ll feature them on our blog!