I love exploring the shoreline. I stroll along my local beach in Devon at least once a week, and I’m naturally drawn to the high tide line. I take pleasure in finding beautiful shells, but also the trash that the sea has swept ashore. The colors, shapes, and sizes of this human-made debris stand out against the sand and seaweed. Discovering an old candy wrapper from the 1990s is not only nostalgic but also a stark reminder that this litter persists and is a growing issue that needs attention. Once I examine what catches my eye, I add it to my small bag of trash to take to the bin. It feels rewarding and enjoyable.
Cleaning up this litter benefits the ocean and is good for me and everyone else who participates in beach cleanups. My research shows that engaging in beach cleanups is beneficial for our mental health and encourages more environmentally conscious behavior. To understand the benefits of participating in a beach cleanup, I conducted a study with a team of social and natural scientists. We asked 90 participants to engage in one of three activities: a coastal walk (the most popular activity at the coast), a beach cleanup (recording and removing found trash), or rockpooling (exploring species in the tidal pools) at low tide. The beach cleanup and rockpooling activities involved a citizen science aspect where participants collected scientific data. Trash items were documented and added to the Marine Conservation Society’s database of marine litter. Wildlife observed in rockpools was recorded as part of the Marine Biological Association’s Shore Thing programme, which tracks the nationwide impact of rising sea temperatures on coastal species.
Swimming, sailing, even just building a sandcastle – the ocean enhances our physical and mental well-being. Curious about how a strong connection to the coast aids marine conservation, scientists are delving into the concept of blue health. This article is part of a series, Vitamin Sea, exploring how our interaction with the ocean can improve it. I asked participants how they felt, assessed their knowledge of marine issues, and inquired about their daily behaviors impacting the environment both before and after each activity, and again a week later. By using quantitative rating scales, I could measure changes over time and compare across the three activities. Participants shared that they enjoyed being on the coast, regardless of the activity. Among the three activities, beach cleaning was the most meaningful and enriching experience. Being in the environment motivated people to do more to protect it. Participants involved in the beach cleanup were much more likely to engage in future cleanups compared to the other two groups. Many studies show that spending time in nature, especially by the coast, makes us feel better. It elevates our mood, calms anxiety, improves breathing and physical health, boosts concentration, and helps us recharge. However, the cleanliness of the marine environment is crucial. My research indicates that the health and well-being benefits are diminished on littered or polluted beaches.
As a team of social and natural scientists, we aimed to explore how a littered beach affects people’s psychological experiences. Does it impact their mood or reduce the usual benefits provided by the coast? By having 99 people rate photos of clean versus littered coastlines, we found that people indeed preferred clean beaches. Many noted that litter detracted from the mental and physical health benefits they typically gain from being by the sea, especially if they saw everyday items like food packaging, which had more negative connotations. One participant remarked that such trash “seems much more intrusive” and indicated that people were being “careless and disrespectful.” Knowing that marine litter is detrimental to the environment, wildlife, and us, there are actions we can take to address this. Beach cleanups offer a triple advantage. Volunteering at events organized by groups such as the Marine Conservation Society and Keep Britain Tidy helps tidy our seas, protects marine life, and benefits us. This has a positive impact on other visitors who enjoy the coast, and the act of cleaning provides immediate health and well-being benefits for volunteers.