Kankyo-no-mori Kochi: Leading the Fight Against Beach Pollution

By Sota Matsukura 

When you visit the beach, you might encounter a distressing sight: the once pristine sea has become increasingly polluted in recent years. Trash is now a common sight on many beaches. A closer look reveals people littering the shore, contributing to a significant increase in ocean garbage. This pollution has a range of negative effects, one of the most critical being the destruction of habitats for marine life. Beaches, which host a diverse array of creatures, are losing their natural environments due to littering. 

There are organizations dedicated to addressing this issue, such as “KANKYO NO MORI KOCHI.” Established in 2006, this organization aims to foster a recycling-oriented society by building networks among environmental groups, governments, schools, companies, and communities. They support environmental activities, promote environmental education, and work to prevent global warming, while also disseminating environmental information and proposing policies to residents. 

This spring, KANKYO NO MORI KOCHI organized a significant event in Kochi City called “Spring Beach Cleanup & Marine Trash Survey 2024.” During this event, participants examined the garbage in Kochi’s oceans, focusing on Tanezaki, one of the region’s most beautiful coastal areas. The survey revealed 974 pieces of plastic trash and 117 pieces of other types of trash, with plastics comprising about 90% of the total. Understanding the types of trash washing up on the shore can shed light on the reasons behind the pollution of these once-pristine beaches. 

The survey raises several important questions. Why is there so much trash on Kochi’s beaches? While some litter is directly deposited by people, the sheer volume suggests that other factors are at play. According to researchers, ocean currents likely transport garbage from various locations to Kochi’s shores. This results in an accumulation of debris on the beaches. 

The predominance of plastic trash is particularly concerning. Researchers attribute this to the persistence of plastic in the environment. Unlike other materials, plastic does not decompose in the ocean, leading to its accumulation on beaches. While non-plastic items do end up in the ocean, they often disintegrate before reaching shore. 

In response to the pollution, KANKYO NO MORI KOCHI is taking proactive measures, including educational programs in elementary and junior high schools. When asked about the most crucial age group for addressing beach pollution, the organization emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation. By instilling environmental awareness in students, they hope to inspire future solutions to the problem. 

Despite these efforts, it will take time for younger generations to fully address the issue. In the meantime, an innovative approach is being proposed: focusing on the producers of plastic products rather than just the consumers. By reducing the production of environmentally harmful products, this strategy aims to minimize waste and mitigate environmental problems.