Galvanized by her hands-on action and powerful speeches, even the youngest students at Casuarina Street Primary School are getting on board.

"I don't want to end up in a world where plastic is everywhere and two metres high," she said.

It started with a book she can't remember the name of, but it was enough to propel her into action.

The fact young people across the world, most notably Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, were making waves on the climate crisis front may have helped.

"I did a speech at assembly about plastic and how we have to stop it," Ms Cowan said.

"Three-hundred million tonnes of plastic is produced every year around the world, that is a concern for me."

With the help of her science teacher Anthony Bartlett she started the school club, Plastic is Not Fantastic.

Twice per week Ms Cowan leads a dedicated and growing team of students who give up their lunch breaks to engage other students in what they call a "kid friendly way".

"We make posters and collect 10c cans and bottles for recycling, we are still working on recycling soft plastics and getting the whole school to reduce single-use plastic," she said.

"Instead of chucking things on the floor without thinking about it everyone chucks things in the bin, they have realised that it could go into the ocean."

Blue bins specifically for recyclable waste are dotted around the school, and as the climate crisis rapidly becomes the biggest issue on young people's minds, students have adapted to the changes quickly.

"Before the club I was just learning about it and thinking 'what can I do' and that has grown to 'what can we do as a school and a community'," Ms Cowan said.

Ms Cowan has a remarkable list of achievements for an 11-year-old including writing letters to the government demanding plastics be banned in parks and visitor centres - she is yet to hear back.

She is also leading the way at home, changing the thinking of her parents and brother, a feat in a remote town void of a council recycling facility (the Katherine Girl Guides have recently opened their own depot, which is still taking recyclable waste over the school holidays).

"I am always telling my parents to pick up rubbish," she said.

When asked if she is worried about the future she replies, "only half worried."

Spurred on by the student-led-action tackling waste and climate change globally she is confident the crisis will be addressed before it is too late.

"I am going to stop plastic pollution town by town, year by year by teaching kids who will take it to the adults," she said.

"This school is aware but I would like to make them more aware, we have to teach the new generation that we have to do something now."

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