#2minutebeachclean

921. Martin Dorey

His ‘#2minutebeachclean’ campaign was inspired after storms in 2013 left UK beaches littered with plastic rubbish, revealing the extent to which this waste blights our seas. Former BBC presenter Martin launched his project on social media with a message to locals that giving as little as two minutes of their time to pick up a few bits of discarded plastic could transform their beaches if enough people got involved. The movement has now grown and, thanks to support from BBC programmes Blue Planet 2 and Springwatch, is now nationwide and has even attracted attention across the globe.

Martin is one of five volunteers receiving a Points of Light award to mark World Oceans Day on Friday 8 June, recognising their work to support ocean conservation:

For #WorldOceansWeek PM @Theresa_May recognised five outstanding volunteers who are saving our oceans with #PointsofLight Awards. Hear from some of them here. pic.twitter.com/PcEau5zpiD

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) June 10, 2018

 

In a personal letter to Martin, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“Your #2minutebeachclean campaign demonstrates how small individual contribution can grow into an incredible force for good when so many people are inspired to act. This important work is bringing people together to help tackle the global issue of plastic pollution in our seas.”

Martin said: 

“I am thrilled to be recognised, and grateful that the PM also recognises the work of the #2minutebeachclean and the army of followers around the world who go out of their way to pick up litter and inspire others to do the same. But there is still much to do, so we can’t rest on our laurels just yet. Our litter data collecting app, 400 beach clean stations and growing network are already doing so much to inspire change and help clear up, but our ambition is to change the way we all visit an and every open space by leaving it better than it was before we arrived. If each of us can do that, and can help to stop the flow to the ocean by boycotting single use plastics and changing our plastic habits, then we’re getting somewhere. Thank you.”

Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall said:

“I want to congratulate Martin on receiving this award from the Prime Minister which recognises his hard work to protect the environment and keep our beaches clean and safe. There is a much heightened awareness of plastic pollution at the moment with various national and local campaigns, and we need to continue this to make sure that we genuinely tackle the amount of plastic entering our oceans and embrace friendlier alternatives.”

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