The Amigos del Mar initiative in Colombia leverages surfing to educate young people about environmental issues, particularly ocean pollution.
Objectives
- Raise awareness about plastic pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems among the youth of Tierra Bomba.
- Empower young individuals to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts.
Description and Implementation
Amigos del Mar employs a multifaceted approach to achieve its objectives:
- Educational Surfing Programs: The organisation offers surfing lessons to local children, integrating teachings on the importance of ocean conservation. Participation in these lessons is contingent upon school attendance, thereby promoting education alongside environmental awareness.
- Recycling Initiatives: Through the “Olas Paz” (Clean Wave) project, participants collect plastic waste from beaches, particularly bottle caps, and repurpose them into usable items such as surfboard fins. This initiative not only cleans the beaches but also demonstrates the value of recycling.
Impact and Results
- Improved Beach Cleanliness: Regular cleanup activities have led to noticeably cleaner local beaches, reducing pollution and its harmful effects on marine life.
- Youth Empowerment: Participating youth have developed a strong sense of environmental stewardship, understanding the importance of preserving their natural surroundings and actively engaging in conservation efforts.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Amigos del Mar initiative exemplifies the potential of combining sports with environmental education to foster community engagement and promote sustainability. By linking surfing with practical conservation activities, the program not only addresses environmental issues but also instills valuable life skills in young participants. It is recommended that similar models be adopted in other coastal communities to harness the power of sports in driving environmental and social change.
Links
https://plasticodyssey.org/en/surf-and-solidarity-tierra-bomba/
https://www.facebook.com/FundacionAmigosdelMar/
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