Earth Day 2026: Changing our World interview environmental activist and scientist Laura Anderson
With environmental issues among their current ‘Hot Topics’, members of Changing our World, asked activist and scientist Laura Anderson some quickfire questions about her journey into campaigning and how the voices of young people can be heard on environmental matters
In celebration of Earth Day 2026, we are releasing this excerpt from a longer piece published in the latest edition of Children in Scotland Magazine, our biannual publication for members.
Changing our World: How did you start building your platform/name?
Laura Anderson: It all began as a new year resolution in 2018 when I wanted to try and be more sustainable, and I started by looking at how to reduce my plastic use and waste. The name Less Waste Laura came to me when thinking about this goal and I used it to make my social media platforms.
CoW: What advice would you give to young people who want to make a change but don’t know where to start?
LA: Find other people who might be able to help you, try and think about groups like school Eco Groups, or Girlguiding, Scouts, local litter picking groups or wildlife groups which you could join (or start) to find other people who might be able to journey with you. When you have other people doing things with you, it gives you inspiration for what you can do, and talking about issues (like at a Climate Café) can be a great start.
When you ask probing questions you can initiate the best change as you help reveal the unsustainable things happening all around you
CoW: Do you have any advice on what we, as a young people, can do to make adults listen to us and take us seriously on matters of climate change?
LA: Always ask questions, and make adults explain to you why things are the way they are. Often when you ask probing questions you can initiate the best change as you help reveal the unsustainable things happening all around you. You can share that you’re worried about climate change, and ask adults to help ease this by supporting projects you might want to do. You can also contact your local representatives like councillors and MSPs to tell them about what you care about.
For more information about Laura’s work as an ethical influencer and campaigner, go to lesswastelaura.com
Changing our World
Changing our World sits at the core of all of our work. Consisting of children and young people aged between 8 and 22, members are able to share their experiences and make a real difference on issues impacting their lives.
Annual Conference 2026
Laura Anderson will be joining us in Glasgow in May to give her impassioned keynote, ‘What Comes Next? Creating Change with Confidence’.
You can also join us for two inspiring days as we once again bring together the best of Scotland’s children’s sector.
