More than 200 people will clean up Buena Vista Beach in Cuyamel

More than 200 people will clean up Buena Vista Beach in Cuyamel

On September 20, more than 200 volunteers will gather at Buena Vista Beach, Cuyamel, to collect waste that pollutes the environment and threatens the area's natural wealth.

On September 20, more than 200 young people will gather at Playa Buena Vista, Cuyamel, to collect waste that pollutes the environment and threatens the area's natural wealth.

The event is organized by the youth organization Cipotes, which in the last three years has led six beach cleanups in Puerto Cortés, Tela, and Omoa. Collecting nearly 10 tons of waste, including plastics, metals, glass, and other materials.

"Cuyamel has a natural wealth that we must protect. Buena Vista Beach is one of the Honduran beaches most affected by pollution. With this event, we want to inspire more people to take care of the oceans, because cleanliness and sustainability start at home. We know that cleaning up does not solve the problem, but by setting an example, we can inspire changes that benefit our environment and, above all, highlight the importance of the oceans in our lives," said Enoc Panduru, representative of Cipotes, who also pointed out that every year more young people are joining this initiative.

The clean-ups have received the ongoing support of the Cortes Port Operator, the European Union, and the Center for Marine Studies. The European Union's support is part of the global #EUBeachCleanUp campaign, an initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the impact of litter on beaches and rivers, a problem that affects biodiversity, local tourism, health, and the economy of coastal communities.

"We believe in the power of the youth and communities to raise awareness and take action on the issue of litter on beaches and in rivers. We are joining forces as part of our global EU Beach Clean-Up campaign, which seeks to encourage actions that promote positive change and highlight the importance of caring for our oceans. Caring for the oceans means not only protecting marine life, but also ensuring food, employment, oxygen, climate stability, and the future of human communities. Every action counts. We hope that more young people will join this activity," said Gonzalo Fournier, European Union Ambassador to Honduras.

The next event will also have the support of Waste Free Oceans and The Ocean Clean Up. The latter educates volunteers about pollution from the Motagua River in the Gulf of Honduras.

Did you know that...

• The oceans are home to between 50% and 80% of all life on Earth.
• The oceans produce more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
• They also capture more than 90% of the excess heat that causes global warming.
• Every year, more than 11 million tons of plastic enter the oceans; if no action is taken, that figure could triple by 2040.
• It is estimated that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the sea if consumption and waste management habits do not change.