Healthy Oceans, Healthy Minds Campaign

It’s been proven that blue spaces are incredibly good for us. A 2021 report published by the Mental Health Foundation found that 65% of adults in the UK felt a positive impact on their mental health from spending time near public waters. However, the health of our coastal and inland waterways is in jeopardy, with the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful 2021 Marine Litter Report showing that, on average, 762 items of litter were found per 100 metres of beach surveyed, and that 81% of this contained plastic. Globally, it’s estimated that 170 trillion pieces of plastic – around 2 million tonnes – are floating in the world’s oceans.

This is why Eco Rangers NI concentrate so much on beach and waterway cleans, and why we will be took part in the Live Here Love Here Healthy Oceans, Healthy Minds campaign again this year, with a public litter pick on Sunday 20th August. The volunteers cleaned two beaches in Carrickfergus before moving inland to litter pick around the nearby streets and public green areas. 14 bags collected before a well-earned group lunch of burgers and fries!