Youth Leader Fights Against Florida's Plastic Pollution
This blog post was written by Cassandra Jordan, a 2026 Marine Plastics Ambassador.
As a native Floridian, I have grown up witnessing the plastic pollution crisis unfold like water behind a dam. But instead of feeling doomed, I turned climate anxiety into real action by leading a local policy campaign aimed towards reducing single-use plastics at my university. Single-use plastics and microplastics are a detrimental problem in Florida, because of our one-of-a-kind environment, our tourism industry, and the growing population size of elderly, families, and youth. My campaign goal aligns with one of EarthEcho’s plastic priorities, which is to reduce the harmful impacts of single-use plastics and microplastics.
Break FGCU Free From Plastic
My campaign began with a dream. I noticed how my school, Florida Gulf Coast University, is experiencing a plastic litter crisis that does not match with our sustainability goals and surrounding environment. I knew that plastic needed to be regulated at the source. Campus clean ups only temporarily solved the issue; it was like applying a band-aid. Then, I was inspired upon hearing about Eckerd College’s passing of a Break Free From Plastics Pledge due to advocacy from undergraduate student Alexandria Gordon.
While attending EarthEcho’s virtual advocacy workshops, I began to ponder how I would bring my policy issue to life in a school whose population size is over 16,500. I started off with a petition and sent it to a few friends and professors. I was passionate, but my peers wanted to know the next step. So, I began reaching out to faculty and non-profit organizations. Through the mentorship of Post-Landfill Action Network, I researched plastic-free campus case studies and met with campaign directors. I was also connected with Alexandria Gordon herself through Break Free From Plastic, who gave me useful leadership skills. I gained a collaboration with FutureSwell, showcasing my campaign to a new audience.
I took a huge leap of faith when I accepted my invitation from EarthEcho to attend a fully funded Hill Day in Washington, D.C. My most transformational moment that shaped me into a stronger leader was when I first stepped into Senator Rick Scott’s office for our first Hill Day meeting. I took the lead role in organizing our meeting, which prepared me to carry this momentum on to new Florida youth. Upon returning to Florida, I was awarded a $2,500 Marine Plastics Advocacy Mini Grant from EarthEcho to lead a virtual State Hill Day advocating for the repeal of Florida’s plastic preemption laws.
I spent time conducting outreach and creating educational materials. I harnessed social media to spread awareness like wildfire: my targeted videos reached over 25,600 views, 1,467 likes, and 300+ new followers. My petition gained 11 signatures, but I expect this number to massively increase when I conduct campus outreach.
During my State Advocacy workshops, I appointed meetings with two state offices, as well as multiple school faculty offices. I sent well over 30 emails and letters to these offices. I developed multiple partnerships, including FutureSwell, Post-Landfill Action Network, Break Free From Plastic, and FGCU Faculty.
Looking Ahead
As of October 1, 2026, I am a much stronger environmental advocate than when I began this program in March 2026. I never would have thought my campaign would reach over 26,500 people and encourage many of them to take direct action. My biggest success was organizing a State-led Hill Day which connected participants across Florida from ages 16 to 32.
My biggest obstacle was one that most people face: I did not believe in myself. There were many moments when I was scared. I feared I was behind; unprepared. But the support from EarthEcho, my peers, viewers, and other organizations gave me proof that anything is possible.
What was once just a vision morphed into hundreds of miles travelled, thousands of dollars rewarded, and tens of thousands of views and interactions with my work. I knew that I could be a policy leader when I witnessed other people follow in my footsteps to create change: attending hill day meetings; networking; engaging with officials.
I learned that anyone could interact with policy: scientists, businesspeople, health workers, and any constituent. I could not fight this battle alone, but I never had to. I gained lifelong connections with people in ages spanning across decades who are just as passionate as me. Together, we have created a coalition of change makers.
Although my initial participation in the Marine Plastics Ambassador program has ended, my work has not. My focus has now shifted to two priorities: Break FGCU Free From Plastic, and repeal Florida’s plastic preemption laws. My next partnership will be with student voices, including Student Government, and campus Registered Student Organizations (ECOFGCU, FGCU Living Lab, FGCU Student/Farmworker Alliance, FGCU Ornithology Club, and more).
Moreover, my partnership with other Florida Ambassadors will aid my work on Florida’s preemption laws. I have created connections with state congressional staffers, whom I can easily reach out to again before the upcoming legislation. I have received feedback to create more support for a revised version of the current legislation.
I can be found on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @earthlycassandra. I can also be reached via email at casdlj07@icloud.com or @earthequityfl@gmail.com. I will use social media to continue outreach about upcoming involvements and events.
Learn more about the EarthEcho Marine Plastics Ambassadors at https://www.earthecho.org/plastics-ambassadors.