This blog post was written by Sam Paul, a 2025 Marine Plastics Ambassador.

Before EarthEcho, I advocated against marine plastic pollution by participating in and organizing beach clean ups in Wilmington, NC. Those small actions at beach clean ups, though quiet, sparked something bigger in me. I began to wonder how I could amplify my voice, how I could go beyond beach cleanups and join a larger movement. I had always played with the idea of using my voice to create a ripple in this world, but I didn’t know how until EarthEcho. In April, I was selected to be a 2025 Marine Plastic Ambassador, which has allowed me to realize that your voice is your greatest asset. If used intentionally, it will shift the tides.

Through our 6-week virtual program session with 2 meetings a week, we ambassadors have been introduced and met a variety of people. Each session introduced us to inspiring individuals, from leaders, change-makers, and former ambassadors who once stood where we stand now, young, hopeful, and ready to work together towards change. Each session left a great impression, excitement, and anticipation leading up to our travels to Washington, D.C.

In D.C. for the first time, we were no longer squares on a screen, but real people with real stories. Each of us ambassadors has a unique story to tell: how marine plastic pollution has impacted us, the people who pushed us towards our goals, and how we were led to EarthEcho. Through shared moments, stories, and experiences, I realized that we weren’t just a part of a program, but we are a movement towards change.

In our congressional meetings with Senators, House Representatives, or their respective staffers, we were able to share our stories, passions, and priorities. The ability to sit down and utilize the opportunity to not only advocate for ourselves and our priorities, but for every other young person who shares the same priorities as we do. Sitting face-to-face with our representatives reminded us of the power of youth advocacy and the importance of using our stories as a platform to drive change on behalf of our generation and the generations to come.

Thanks to this program, I have been able to take on an entrepreneurship venture called TideDrifts. Inspired by the waste I collected during cleanups, I have taken glass bottles and turned them into plant propagation hangers.  Each piece is made using driftwood found along our waterways from Lake Superior to the tides of North Carolina’s coastline.

To me, TideDrifts is taking the waste we already create and turning it into something new! With this project, I strive to introduce the idea of “waste to wonder,” the reawakening of creativity and environmental mindfulness to our future.

This journey with EarthEcho has taught me that change starts with one step, one voice, one idea. And sometimes, the most powerful movement and idea begins quietly on a beach, with a bucket in hand.

As I continue this journey, I hope to inspire others to find their voice, their drift, and their ripple. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned with EarthEcho, it’s this: The ocean may be vast, but even a single drop creates a wave.