Youth-led beach clean-up highlights urgent need for coastal protection
UNICEF youth advocate presents findings from the Blue, Green and Everything in Between initiative
Bridgetown - July 20, 2024 - A group of passionate young people is making waves in Barbados as they fight against plastic pollution and raise awareness about the urgent need for environmental protection.
The "Blue Green and Everything in Between" clean-up, led by HEY Ambassador Maria Marshall, mobilized volunteers to scour a section of the Oistins shoreline. Supported by a coalition of organizations including the Canadian High Commission, Clara Lionel Foundation, UNICEF, PAHO/WHO, the EU, and the Ashley Lashley Foundation, the initiative collected and categorized a significant amount of garbage, shedding light on the worsening pollution crisis.
A stark increase in food wrappers, plastic bottles, and bottle caps was observed compared to the previous year, with a concerning rise in smaller plastic fragments, glass, and fishing debris. Marshall emphasized the need for greater youth involvement, improved waste management infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of anti-littering laws.
UNICEF Communications Officer Kareem Smith commended the young activists, underscoring the critical importance of their work in safeguarding the planet for future generations. PAHO/WHO's Dean Chambliss praised the initiative, highlighting the young leaders' role in driving global climate action. The EU's Quentin Peignaux emphasized the project's alignment with the bloc's focus on youth engagement and climate change mitigation.
Miriam Van Nie of the Canadian High Commission connected the clean-up to the increasing intensity of hurricanes, urging for amplified climate action at all levels.
Young climate activists Shakeem Howell, Jasmine Sealy, and Kyla Nurse issued a powerful call to action, demanding stricter regulations and adequate funding for effective waste management systems.
The clean-up is part of the broader "Strengthening Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean" project, which adopts a One Health approach to address the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
