When she was just 12, Melati Wijsen saw the plastic pollution that was choking Bali’s beaches. Instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, she took action. Now 24, she is a recognized climate activist and the founder of Youthtopia, a platform designed for young changemakers. During her recent talk at the India Today Conclave 2026, she shared insights on how we can tackle environmental issues head-on.
Melati stressed that we can’t use the same methods that caused pollution to solve it. She called for an end to “siloed thinking,” which often hampers progress. Her journey began with a belief—sometimes naïve—that true change is possible, supported by her parents encouraging her curiosity and passion.
Today, Melati is also an author with five books to her name. Her mission is to connect climate anxiety to real solutions, showing that a sustainable future is achievable with the right approach.
In 2019, Bali achieved a groundbreaking ban on single-use plastics, thanks to persistent efforts from Melati and her sister. They wrote letters, cleaned beaches, and even went on a hunger strike to get a meeting with the local government. This campaign highlighted a crucial fact: plastic bags are one of the largest global pollutants. Bali’s ban shows that change is possible when youth take the lead.
To support young activists, Melati created Youthtopia, an online learning platform that offers over 300 programs. It’s designed for those who feel lost in traditional education, focusing on how to initiate movements. She believes that while technology like AI can enhance efforts, it’s essential to keep the creativity that drives impactful change.
Melati addressed eco-anxiety, a growing concern among young people. Her advice? Focus on one specific issue instead of trying to tackle everything at once. She cited the Earthshot Prize as a beacon of hope and applauded young leaders like Aishwarya Sridhar from India for their contributions.
Her main takeaway? Hope is something we must actively pursue. Creating environments where failure is acceptable is vital for growing future leaders. Melati reminded everyone to narrow their focus, set deadlines, and most importantly, remember to enjoy the journey of making a difference.
To dive deeper into her inspiring insights, check out her speech here.
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Melati Wijsen, Bali plastic ban, climate activist, Youthtopia, climate change solutions, stop plastic pollution, eco anxiety, young changemakers, Bali environment, plastic bags ban, Earthshot Prize India, Aishwarya Sridhar
