Pollution from oil spills is a threat to coastal communities. Local governments want to see more international action to protect healthy seas. Recent events around the globe have highlighted the devastating impact of oil spills. While rules, regulations and increased safety measures have reduced the number of major oil spills in recent years, industry data … [continue reading]
KIMO marks 30 years of cooperation for healthy seas
It is 30 years since KIMO International was founded in Esbjerg, Denmark on 22nd August 1990. KIMO is an international network of local authorities working together for healthy seas, cleaner beaches and thriving coastal communities. With more than 80 members in eight countries, KIMO represents more than five million European citizens from around the … [continue reading]
Visiting the coast is good for your health and wellbeing – UK government report
Spending time in coastal areas has a ‘therapeutic effect’ and can improve your health and wellbeing. That’s the conclusion of a new study published by the UK government together with Plymouth Marine Laboratory and Exeter University. The study compared visits to the coast with visits to other types of environment. It showed that British people … [continue reading]
Coastal communities host pollution art festival
Four local authorities on the Dutch coast have united to host an unusual celebration this summer. The ‘Pollution Art Festival’ includes pieces made from plastic waste, as well as other items discarded in the North Sea. The municipalities of Zandvoort, Velsen, Beverwijk and Heemskerk hope to shine a light on the problem of marine pollution. … [continue reading]
Bergen tests flat pack plastic trawler
The City of Bergen in Norway is testing a new concept in an effort to remove plastic pollution from its harbour. Local authorities are cooperating with Clear Ocean a not-for-profit company that aims to develop and produce low tech, easy to use, scalable and affordable tools for ”trawling for plastic”. For five days a week … [continue reading]
Swedish student wins KIMO scholarship to study microplastics
KIMO Sweden has announced the winner of a SEK 10,000 scholarship for work on the impact of microplastic pollution on our seas. Against tough competition, the judges awarded the prize to Evelina Norlin, a third-year Marine Science student from Gothenburg University. Norlin applied for the scholarship while working on her bachelor thesis about the impact … [continue reading]
Still on course for a sustainable Baltic sea?
In 2007 the coastal states of the Baltic sea and the European Union agreed a plan to restore the region’s marine environment by 2021. The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), included actions and measures to assess the ecological health of the Baltic, with a vision of achieving “a healthy Baltic Sea environment, with diverse biological … [continue reading]
Plastic pellets spill pollutes Danish, Norwegian, Swedish coastlines
KIMO International reacts to the loss of plastic pellets from MV Trans Carrier in the German Bight Beaches and coastlines of KIMO International member municipalities in Norway, Sweden and Denmark have been polluted by the recent MV Trans Carrier plastic pellet spill in the German Bight. KIMO here highlights the failing of the current regulatory … [continue reading]
New report on Dutch Green Deals shows that marine litter is decreasing
The Green Deal approach in the Netherlands is an accessible way for companies, other stakeholder organizations, local and regional government and interest groups to work with Central Government on green growth and social issues. The aim is to remove barriers to help sustainable initiatives get off the ground and to accelerate this process where possible. … [continue reading]
Confetti: we know what it is but what is it made of?
KIMO Sweden and the City of Malmö on the case… We spoke to Karin Meyer, coordinator of KIMO Sweden to find out what they discovered: The use of confetti at celebrations is common in Sweden. But what is common over-the-counter confetti actually made of? To find out, the City of Malmö bought three different confetti … [continue reading]