On June 8, come to Zurriola!
From Surfrider Spain, and together with Donostia Tourism, we are very happy to announce that we will organize three citizen science activities in 2022, aiming to raise awareness about marine litter issues and promote responsible tourism in Donostia.
First of all, let me introduce myself. I have been living in Donostia for six months, and I quickly realized that having the ocean so close transforms our way of life. It seems to me that the city was built as a lookout, so its inhabitants always have a view of the sea. I especially enjoy walking on Mount Ulia and watching the seagulls through binoculars. I felt sad reading that 90% of seabirds are found with plastic in their stomachs.
First of all, let me introduce myself. I have been living in Donostia for six months, and I quickly realized that having the ocean so close transforms our way of life. It seems to me that the city was built as a lookout, so its inhabitants always have a view of the sea. I especially enjoy walking on Mount Ulia and watching the seagulls through binoculars. I felt sad reading that 90% of seabirds are found with plastic in their stomachs.
My name is Hugo Juillard and I am currently on a fellowship at the national office of Surfrider Foundation Europe. The national office is based in Donostia, and here I am working to develop volunteer programs. The activity we have organized most with volunteers is marine litter cleanups, which, for me, represent one of the best ways to empower citizens, that is, to give them the knowledge to act and make an impact.
As I mentioned before, we are organizing several actions with the Donostia-San Sebastián City Council. The first cleanup took place on March 26 at La Concha Beach, taking advantage of the annual international launch of the Ocean Initiatives volunteer program. A total of 1,740 waste items were collected.
The second cleanup will take place on World Oceans Day, June 8, this time at Zurriola Beach. The event will start at 5:00 PM and will last approximately two and a half hours, including an introduction, the cleanup itself, waste sorting, and a final reflection.
This initiative covers several objectives, such as launching a campaign to reduce environmental impact, raising awareness about responsible tourism, coordinating the tourism sector to promote solidarity campaigns and actions, and encouraging corporate social responsibility.
As I mentioned before, we are organizing several actions with the Donostia-San Sebastián City Council. The first cleanup took place on March 26 at La Concha Beach, taking advantage of the annual international launch of the Ocean Initiatives volunteer program. A total of 1,740 waste items were collected.
The second cleanup will take place on World Oceans Day, June 8, this time at Zurriola Beach. The event will start at 5:00 PM and will last approximately two and a half hours, including an introduction, the cleanup itself, waste sorting, and a final reflection.
This initiative covers several objectives, such as launching a campaign to reduce environmental impact, raising awareness about responsible tourism, coordinating the tourism sector to promote solidarity campaigns and actions, and encouraging corporate social responsibility.
To give you an idea, last year the international volunteer program Ocean Initiatives brought together over 63,300 participants in marine litter cleanups across Europe!
This activity represents an opportunity you cannot miss if you want, like me, to understand the issue of marine litter and contribute to the knowledge of this phenomenon. The idea, with the pollution data we collect on beaches and rivers, is to monitor it at the European level through the European Environment Agency, identify the source of the problem on a large scale, and be able to influence policies related to ocean protection.
This activity represents an opportunity you cannot miss if you want, like me, to understand the issue of marine litter and contribute to the knowledge of this phenomenon. The idea, with the pollution data we collect on beaches and rivers, is to monitor it at the European level through the European Environment Agency, identify the source of the problem on a large scale, and be able to influence policies related to ocean protection.
Just by knowing that, in 2021, 47% of the waste found was cigarette butts and 22% was food-related packaging, we can identify two major problems. My motivation for participating in an Ocean Initiatives cleanup comes from knowing that the data collected serves a purpose, as Surfrider can use it to influence legislation and seek solutions at both national and European levels.
Every year, it is estimated that 8 million pieces of plastic waste end up in the ocean, and most of them cannot be seen on the beaches or floating on the surface of the sea. The majority sink to the seafloor (70%), accumulating where no one can see them, damaging these habitats and also affecting our health. But just because you cannot see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Many times we may feel discouraged and think that this problem is too big for one person. As mentioned before, one cannot clean the entire ocean, but one can help identify the source of the problem. This is how we have been able to influence European legislation to seek alternatives to several single-use plastic products, such as plastic straws, picnic cutlery, or cotton swabs. In fact, 75% of the waste collected by Ocean Initiatives volunteers in 2021 was single-use items.
Participating in a beach cleanup is also an excuse to meet new people, walk along the beach, learn together, and have a good time. Citizens have more power than we think. Because yes, we are part of the problem, let’s also be part of the solution. The time to act is now. Don’t waste time and join this activity!
For more information, you can write to me at voluntariado@surfrider.eu or send me a WhatsApp: +34 688 684 618
For more information, you can write to me at voluntariado@surfrider.eu or send me a WhatsApp: +34 688 684 618
