Protecting Our Shores

Switzerland

30 July 2025

From Local Action to Global Advocacy

Beach Cleanup & Marine Awareness

Each year, nearly 100 tons of plastic waste flow into Lake Geneva. Mostly invisible, this pollution poses a lasting threat to the lake’s biodiversity, water quality, and ultimately, our own health. To respond to this, GEAF organized “Protecting our Shores” a Clean-up and Awareness initative.

GEAF organized its inaugural beach clean-up, Protecting Our Shores, along the shores of Lake Geneva. The initiative brought together volunteers, participants, and passers-by to raise awareness of plastic pollution, promote stewardship of marine ecosystems, and encourage practical action to reduce waste at the source.

Protecting Our Shores doubled as an educational campaign. Participants learned about the global plastic crisis and explored practical, local solutions to reduce plastic usage in everyday life. The collected waste was displayed in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva for the next three years, serving as a striking reminder to world delegates and the public ahead of the INC-5 global negotiations. This symbolic gesture connecting Geneva’s local action directly to international environmental policy discussions.

Impact

GEAF’s Lake Geneva beach clean-up translated awareness into tangible environmental action. With 15 volunteers and 45 on-site participants, the initiative removed 37.5 kg of waste while fostering dialogue on plastic pollution, sustainable living and collective responsibility for protecting aquatic ecosystems.