During a recent beach cleaning operation from rubbisha team of volunteers from 4ocean made a surprising discovery: a nest of baby sea turtles survived under a pile of plastic and debris. The little ones were immediately taken into care and then released into the oceanwhere they can swim safe and sound.
This scene documented with a video on social media posted by United Nations Biodiversity in collaboration with 4ocean, as extraordinary as it is moving, is a symbol of nature’s resiliencebut also an urgent reminder of the need to protect marine habitats.
In fact, sea turtles depend on beaches to lay their eggs and ensure the survival of their species. However plastic pollution represents a serious threat to this ancient process.
When waste and debris cover the coasts, they compromise the ability of turtles to nest safely. Furthermore, plastic not only alters the natural habitat, but can trap or suffocate newborn pups, making their journey to the ocean a near-impossible feat.
Cleaning the oceans means protecting critical habitats
Organizations like 4oceanfounded in 2017 by Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper, are working to change this reality. What started as a small local project in Bali is now a global network dedicated to removing waste from seas, rivers and beaches.
With a team of over 200 professionals, it operates daily to clean up to 9,000 kilograms of debris every dayreaching over 18 million kilograms of plastic removed to date. But their mission doesn’t stop at cleaning. Through the sale of bracelets made from recycled materials, collaborations with companies and awareness campaigns, the organization funds further interventions and inspires communities to actively contribute to the cause.
This model demonstrates how every small gesture, from reducing single-use plastic to supporting clean-up initiatives, can have a concrete impact on the well-being of marine ecosystems. Cleaning the oceans doesn’t just mean improving the aesthetics of the beaches, but protect critical habitats for species such as sea turtles, which represent a crucial piece of biodiversity. Every effort to remove waste from the marine environment is a step towards a more sustainable future, where the oceans can once again be a thriving home for the life that inhabits them.
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