Clean riverbanks and coastlines may sound like an idealistic vision, yet our world celebrates International Coastal Cleanup Day — a global initiative that brings together millions of people committed to protecting rivers, seas, lakes, and oceans.
A global movement for clean water
This day is far more than a symbolic gesture. It is a worldwide call to action: to stop leaving waste behind, to safeguard water resources, to rethink consumption habits, and to become part of the environmental solution.
How it all began
International Coastal Cleanup Day was launched in 2008 by the United Nations in cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Its goal is to draw attention to water pollution, encourage community involvement in coastal cleanups, and promote environmental education.
The initiative quickly gained global support. With every passing year it grows in reach and impact. In 2024, more than 100 countries took part, making it one of the world’s largest volunteer environmental campaigns.
Beyond cleanup: a shift in mindset
Participants do much more than tidy up shorelines. Instead, they
- raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution;
- teach proper sorting and recycling practices;
- show how collective effort can transform ecosystems;
- inspire people to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
Water knows no borders. Litter left on a riverbank today can reach the ocean tomorrow.
Pollution of water bodies is not just a local or aesthetic issue – it is a global ecological crisis affecting
- human health,
- biodiversity,
- food security,
- and the stability of climate systems.
Among the root causes: industrial waste discharges, agricultural chemicals, household debris – and especially plastic, which takes centuries to break down.
That is why protecting and cleaning coastlines is not a one-time initiative, but an essential responsibility for today’s and future generations.
Bukovel joins the movement: education comes first
To mark International Coastal Cleanup Day, the Bukovel Sustainable Development Office hosted a themed film screening for resort staff. Employees watched the documentary In the Name of the Tysa, directed by Ukrainian-Hungarian filmmaker Dmytro Liashchuk – a powerful and emotional exploration of plastic pollution and its consequences for the Carpathian region’s waterways.
The film highlights not only the challenges but also the dedicated people who work to change the situation – activists, communities, and youth. It serves as a reminder that even one person can spark meaningful change across an entire region.
“Education is the foundation of lasting change. The more knowledge we share, the greater the chance for progress. We work actively both with tourists and within our own team so that sustainable development unites everyone around a greener future for Ukraine and the world,” notes Bohdan Krasavtsev, Head of the Bukovel Sustainable Development Office.