SPAIN: Olivia Mandle, a 16-year-old from Barcelona, has taken up the mantle of environmental activism, focusing on ocean cleanup and the protection of dolphins. Her journey began at the tender age of 12, sparked by a realization of the devastating impact of plastics on the oceans during a visit to New York in 2019.
During the recently concluded Fitur 2024, where sustainability took center stage, Mandle’s efforts gained prominence. She advocates for tangible actions to combat the environmental crisis, emphasizing the role of the younger generation in making a difference.
Inspired by her coastal summer retreat in Calella de Palafrugell, Mandle developed a practical tool named “Jelly Cleaners” made from plastic bottles and filters. This DIY tool efficiently removes plastics from the sea surface. Annually, Mandle organizes waste collection events, where she and a dedicated group of individuals removed over 700 kilograms of garbage in just one hour during the latest cleanup.
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Mandle’s commitment extends beyond beach cleanups. She is a staunch advocate for the protection of marine life, with a particular focus on dolphins. On her website, she highlights the plight of dolphins in Spanish dolphinariums, referring to them as the “largest prison for dolphins and cetaceans in Europe.” In her campaign to close these facilities, she gathered over 150 thousand signatures and presented her case at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid.
The impact of Mandle’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, she was honored with the “Heroine” distinction from the Jane Goodall Institute. She also serves as an ambassador for the European Commission’s European Climate Pact and was recognized as one of the 37 young leaders of 2023 by the Womans of the World Festival.
At just 16 years old, Olivia Mandle serves as an inspiring example, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to generating significant changes in environmental awareness and action. Her dedication to ocean conservation and the protection of dolphins showcases the potential of youth-led initiatives in combating the global environmental crisis.
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