- Created on
- 22 April 2026
- Theme
- EU4Algae
Published on 22 April 2026
Zara Hawkins is a young ocean advocate and co-founder of Hidden Plastic, a youth-led initiative raising awareness about microplastics and nanoplastics in the oceans, air, and human health. From an early age, she has held a deep connection to the sea and its inhabitants, shaping her commitment to marine conservation and environmental protection. Her work combines education, creativity, and activism, with a strong focus on communicating the scale of plastic pollution and the importance of solutions-driven action.
Alongside her brother Ashton Hawkins, Zara has engaged thousands of people through educational videos, policy advocacy, and innovative outreach activities. In 2020, they founded Hidden Plastic, through which they have produced almost 50 videos, spoken to global audiences, and participated in UN environmental negotiations, including discussions around the Global Plastics Treaty. She is also the creator of SuperSeaweed and a Seaweed Ambassador for the Global Seaweed Coalition, where she promotes algae-based solutions for tackling plastic pollution and broader environmental challenges.
In this interview, Zara discusses her journey in ocean advocacy, the development of her initiatives, and how her passion for the sea, creativity, and science intersect in her work. She also shares her vision for a more sustainable future driven by collaboration, innovation, and a deeper connection to the ocean.
1. You and your brother Ashton have been passionate about the ocean and marine life from an early age, and your Hidden Plastic campaign has grown into a globally recognised initiative. Could you tell us more about your journey so far, and how your early experiences shaped your interest in marine conservation, algae-based solutions, and sustainable materials?
For as long as I can remember, I have always held a deep love for the ocean. I’ve been fortunate to have had incredible experiences in the sea from an early age, which gave me an enduring admiration for the ocean, and marine life. However, growing up watching documentaries such as the BBC’s War on Plastics and Blue Planet, and being surrounded by the growing environmental movement, I also became aware that our species was slowly destroying the ocean I admired so much. This realisation, like for so many others my age, led to climate anxiety and a strong desire to see more action taken to protect the oceans.
I found a way to cope with that anxiety when I was eleven, as my brother Ashton (nine at the time) and I founded Hidden Plastic in 2020. The goal of Hidden Plastic has been to educate and encourage action against the dangers of lesser-known or “hidden” plastics. We initially started by creating videos about plastic pollution. Since then, we have released almost 50 videos, spoken to thousands of people, pitched seaweed-based solutions to companies such as Delta Airlines, and engaged in the policymaking space. We have attended five UN environmental negotiations, including those related to the Global Plastics Treaty, as some of the youngest delegates present. At the age of thirteen, I also became a Seaweed Ambassador for the Global Seaweed Coalition, which was a particularly exciting opportunity.
2. Hidden Plastic focuses on raising awareness about microplastics and nanoplastics in our seas, air, and even in human blood. How has working on this campaign influenced the way you think about human impact on marine ecosystems, including the role algae play in ocean health, and what lessons have you learned about engaging communities on environmental issues?
Working on Hidden Plastic has significantly deepened our understanding of the scale of the plastic problem. When we first started, we were aware of visible pollution, such as plastic bags harming turtles, but we soon discovered that this was only the tip of the iceberg. Plastics affect the entire marine food chain and can be found virtually everywhere on the planet. Because they contain thousands of harmful chemicals, they can also have serious impacts on human health.
We have adopted what we call a “solutions-based approach”, focusing on practical ways to address the issue as a means of educating others. People are far more likely to take action when they understand that solutions exist and that meaningful change is possible. One of the most prominent solutions in our work is seaweed.
3. You’ve been exploring creative ways to use natural fibres and sustainable materials like seaweed in your projects and recipes. What inspired you to integrate algae into your artistic and culinary activities, and why do you see algae as a valuable resource for sustainability, environmental innovation, and educating others about the oceans?
Through Hidden Plastic’s solutions-based approach, I came across seaweed and was instantly fascinated by its potential. At the age of thirteen, I attended a talk titled The Seaweed Revolution by Vincent Doumeizel, who later invited me to join the Global Seaweed Coalition as a Seaweed Ambassador. I discovered that many of the challenges I was passionate about addressing – plastic pollution, climate change, fast fashion, agriculture, and malnutrition – could be mitigated by this remarkable group of organisms.
I find it astonishing that seaweed, despite its vast potential to create a better world, is still often perceived as “slimy” or unappealing. To help change this perception, I created SuperSeaweed, where I share recipes and video interviews aimed at showcasing seaweed’s versatility and benefits. Recipes, in particular, provide an accessible entry point, allowing people to experience seaweed in their daily lives and become more open to its applications in other industries, such as sustainable fashion. Through Hidden Plastic, my brother and I have also presented seaweed-based materials at Global Plastics Treaty negotiations to advocate for supportive policies. Seaweed truly is a wonderful organism, and I am excited to see this sector continue to grow.
4. Becoming a Junior PADI Open Water diver and running initiatives like Eco-wrap. org demonstrate remarkable ambition at a young age. How do you balance your creative, environmental, and scientific interests – including your work with algae – and what motivates you to keep driving change for the oceans?
We were motivated to create Hidden Plastic as a way to cope with our climate anxiety; taking action felt far more empowering than simply worrying about the problem. I have always wanted to do as much as possible to help the environment, and this remains my guiding goal. As young people, we often find that others are surprisingly willing to listen to us because of our age. After all, it is our generation and those to come who will be most affected by the climate crisis.
This perspective led us into the policy space and environmental events, where we aim to amplify the knowledge and expertise of others as youth environmentalists. My brother and I also enjoy video-making, and while attending these events, we record interviews with individuals providing solutions to the triple planetary crisis, such as in our Heroes of Algae series. Each aspect of our work opens doors to new opportunities, and together they reinforce our overarching mission.
5. Your initiatives often combine creativity, science, and activism – from artistic creations to educational campaigns. How do you think integrating algae-based projects or sustainable algae products helps make issues like hidden plastic more accessible, relatable, and inspiring to others, especially young people?
As mentioned earlier, Hidden Plastic follows a solutions-based approach. Media coverage often focuses heavily on environmental problems, which can intensify climate anxiety – particularly among young people – while failing to highlight positive developments or meaningful ways to take action. Many individuals my age feel discouraged and may give up if they see no signs of hope.
However, regardless of whether we confront the issue or ignore it, my generation will inherit the climate crisis. If we are inspired to tackle it head-on, we can be far more effective. This is why solutions are so important. Seaweed represents both a positive narrative and an accessible opportunity for people to make a difference. Raising awareness of its potential is therefore essential.
6. Through Hidden Plastic and SuperSeaweed.org, you engage with various communities and stakeholders. In your experience, how can collaborations between young activists, scientists, artists, and algae-focused initiatives like EU4Algae strengthen the impact of environmental campaigns?
In my view, a challenge as significant as the climate crisis cannot be addressed in isolation. It affects everyone, regardless of location, expertise, or interests. To create meaningful impact, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and solutions are essential.
I have witnessed this first-hand at events such as the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and Algae Awareness Summits, where individuals from diverse sectors come together. These interactions foster incredibly valuable connections and demonstrate the power of collective action.
7. Your creativity and love for the ocean are closely intertwined with your personal identity and values. How have your family, cultural experiences, or early inspirations shaped your commitment to environmental protection, algae-based solutions, and sustainable innovation?
I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t absolutely obsessed with the ocean. My parents always cultivated a deep appreciation of the sea in my brother and me, while also ensuring that I was aware of the realities of the climate crisis. One of my earliest memories is a family trip to Florida when I was about three years old, during a red tide event. I vividly recall seeing countless dead fish washed up on the beach, with the ocean stained red by an invasive algal bloom.
That memory resurfaced when I was seven while researching algae for a school report, where I encountered references to red tides in Florida. The personal connection to this event – later understood to be exacerbated by human activities – made the climate crisis feel even more tangible. As soon as I was old enough, my parents encouraged me to dive so that I could observe marine life in its natural habitat. At around eight years old, I decided that I wanted to become a marine biologist to help protect the fish I loved so much. That passion has never faded; the more I learn about the wonders of the ocean and the threats it faces, the stronger my determination becomes to protect it.
8. Looking ahead, what role do you hope to play in marine conservation, algae innovation, and sustainability? Are there future projects, collaborations, or personal goals – whether in diving, science, creative pursuits, or algae-related initiatives – that you’re especially excited to explore?
I’m currently seventeen, and while completing my final years of high school, I plan to continue the work of Hidden Plastic and SuperSeaweed. We are especially focused on the Global Plastics Treaty, which is expected to undergo its final negotiations within the next few years, while I also strive to maintain a balance with my schoolwork.
Looking ahead, I intend to dedicate my career to environmental conservation, particularly the protection of our oceans. I believe that policy is one of the most effective ways for achieving meaningful change. I hope to contribute to ensuring that the right policies are in place to support solutions – such as those offered by seaweed – that can help bring an end to plastic pollution. Although the environmental crisis will become increasingly pressing for my generation, it also presents opportunities for innovation. Many solutions already exist; they simply need the support and tools to succeed – especially seaweed!
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