In August 2019, the Korea Association for UN Environment initiated the two-day 2019 Beat Plastic Pollution: Save the Sea—Clean-up Marine Litter Camp. The intention of the camp was to give 30 university students the opportunity to participate in marine litter cleanup activities and learn about marine litter. The students came from 17 different Korean universities: Pusan National University, Pukyuong National University, the Catholic University of Korea, Korea Maritime & Ocean University and Yonsei University.
Ning Liu, Programme Officer at the Northwest Pacific Action Plan, was invited to speak to the participants. He introduced the current situation, the sources and adverse effects of marine litter in the Northwest Pacific region. He focused on the three key elements to tackle marine litter issue, namely the prevention of marine litter input, the monitoring of marine litter quantity and distribution, and the removal of existing marine litter.
During the presentation, Ning Liu highlighted that the marine litter issue is fundamentally an environmental governance issue that involves policymakers, researchers, manufacturers, consumers, media and civil society. Improving policies, legislation as well as waste management are key elements in the fight against marine litter. He encouraged the student to explore better technology solutions and better policy options to address this issue. The Korea Association for UN Environment regularly organizes events for university student and works closely with the Northwest Pacific Action Plan to raise awareness on marine litter.
