Protect Our Beaches: A Shared Responsibility

MEXICO — September 20, and generally every third Saturday of this month, the world commemorates World Beach Day. This date was created in 1991 on the initiative of the organization The Ocean Conservancy, inspired by the international coastal cleanup campaign known as International Coastal CleanUp. With over 150 participating countries, the anniversary has endured as an annual reminder of the urgency to care for one of the most valuable ecosystems: beaches.

Since then, millions of volunteers have joined cleanup efforts that not only collect tons of trash but also highlight the close relationship between people, the seas, and the health of the planet. Today, more than three decades later, the call remains relevant.

The Importance of Caring for Beaches

Beaches are much more than recreational spaces. They function as natural barriers against storms, help regulate the climate, and are habitats for key species such as sea turtles, coastal birds, and fish. Furthermore, they are engines of local economies: according to the World Tourism Organization, in countries like Mexico, Spain, or Thailand, they represent a large part of tourist activity and national income.

However, their relevance is not limited to tourism or the economy. They also fulfill essential ecological functions, such as water filtration, nutrient exchange, and the sheltering of biodiversity. Every grain of sand and every fragment of mangrove plays a role in the natural balance.

Principal Threats Today

Over the years, threats to beaches have evolved. In the nineties, the most visible problem was solid waste—primarily plastics—dumped into the sea. Three decades later, the risks have multiplied:

• Pollution from plastics and microplastics: The UN estimates that 11 million tons of plastics enter the sea each year, which end up fragmenting into particles impossible to collect.
• Climate change and coastal erosion: Rising sea levels, along with more intense storms, cause the loss of sand and the disappearance of entire coastal areas.
• Excessive urbanization: The growth of hotels, real estate developments, and roads near the coast alters ecosystems and destroys mangroves.
• Irresponsible tourism: The excessive use of non-biodegradable sunscreens, bonfires in the sand, or the presence of vehicles on pristine beaches leave visible marks on the environment.
• Fishing and extractive activities: In many countries, illegal or unregulated practices put both marine fauna and the local fishing economy at risk.

“Caring for beaches is not a fad or a one-day activity; it is a permanent commitment that starts with what we do at home. Every bottle we stop throwing away, every bag we reuse, counts for the health of the ocean,” says marine biologist Alejandra Martínez, a specialist in coastal conservation.

The Role of New Generations

A hopeful aspect is youth participation. Students, environmental groups, and volunteers have taken up the banner of coastal conservation. Movements like Fridays for Future and local groups in Quintana Roo, Colombia, or the Philippines demonstrate that new generations understand that the future of beaches is linked to their own future.

“When a young person joins a cleanup day and sees everything that is collected in a few hours, they understand the size of the problem. That transforms their way of consuming and living,” explains biologist Alejandra Martínez.

However, World Beach Day is not just about cleaning the sand once a year. It is a reminder that seas and coasts are fragile, but also resilient, as long as society and governments work together.

“Every grain of protected sand is an investment in the future. The beach is not a dump; it is a shared treasure,” adds the specialist.

Balance Since 1991: Advances and Setbacks

In more than 30 years of this anniversary, the achievements are visible, though still insufficient:

• Citizen awareness: Millions of people around the world participate each September in beach cleanups, managing to remove tons of waste.
• Public policies: Several countries have implemented laws against single-use plastics, such as bans on supermarket bags or regulations on straws.
• Sustainable tourism: The concept has gained strength, with hotels and resorts seeking environmental certifications and promoting responsible practices.
• Persistent challenges: Global plastic production continues to grow, coastal urbanization is accelerating in tourist regions, and climate change threatens to irreversibly alter the coastline in island and coastal nations like Mexico.

Challenges for the Future

World Beach Day also invites reflection on the challenges ahead:

• Combat climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to curb erosion and rising sea levels.
• Conserve mangroves and reefs: Without them, beaches are left unprotected against storms and hurricanes.
• Regulate mass tourism: Establish capacity limits on heavily visited beaches to avoid saturation.
• Incentivize the circular economy: Promote the reuse of materials and waste reduction from businesses.

What We Can Do as Citizens

Although major changes require public policies, citizens also have a crucial role. Small actions generate a real impact when added together:

• Reduce the use of single-use plastics like bags, straws, or cutlery.
• Participate in beach cleanup days, which are often organized by both citizen groups and environmental authorities.
• Respect protected natural areas, avoiding entering sea turtle nesting zones or uprooting coastal plants.
• Choose biodegradable products, from sunscreens to detergents, to reduce water pollution.
• Report illegal dumping or irregular constructions, using the channels available in each municipality or state.