The Imus River originates from the upland streams of Silang and flows down to the ocean via Manila Bay. Combined, all segments of the river span 186.5 kilometers and pass through major towns and cities like Silang, Imus, Dasmariñas, Kawit and Bacoor, shown here. (Gregg Yan / PEMSEA)

 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – To celebrate Earth Day 2022, PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia) released a set of studies to help manage plastic waste entering the world’s rivers.

 

 

Photos allow the translation of life into perspective. This year, we again asked youth in communities around the rivers and seas of East Asia to share their perspectives and stories. This year’s theme was Coastal communities, life with the ocean. The submitted photos showcase the range of ways in which the ocean can affect lives, as a source of income, as recreation, and part of daily life. We hope you enjoy these photos.

 

High School Entries

 

First Place

 

 

 

PEMSEA is one of the partner organizations of the EU-GIZ regional program called “Rethinking Plastics: Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter”.

 

 

As one of PEMSEA’s country partners, China has been implementing integrated coastal management (ICM) since the early 1990s, including the promotion of marine ecological restoration.

 

Currently, China is pilot-testing the Technical Guidelines for Marine Ecological Restoration in Dongying ang Qingdao.

 

 

DPR Korea is one of PEMSEA’s country partners since the 1990s, working to implement the shared regional blueprint called the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.

 

In 2021, DPR Korea adopted regulations on coastal protection and management, implemented the national plan on marine resource protection, and adopted relevant measures for the building and maintenance of coastal protection facilities nationwide.

 

With 13 other countries in East Asia, RO Korea remains committed to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia.

 

The year 2021 is a crucial year for the country given its numerous accomplishments in implementing this shared regional strategy.

 

 

Partnerships in Environmental Management for a Seas of East Asia is an international coordinating mechanism whose mission is to foster healthy and resilient coasts, people and economies in thr East Asian Seas (EAS), PEMSEA is committed to move as one with the global ocean agenda and is applying integrated coastal management as a building block to promote blue economy pathway.

 

 

Coastal communities are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change on the ocean, including depleted marine ecosystems, sea-level rise, and coastal hazards such as storm surges. These climate change-related impacts have been experienced by Guimaras, a small island province located in Western Visayas, Philippines.

 

 

River Rangers from Imus haul sacks of newly-collected garbage in chest-deep waters. “Tomorrow, new trash will flow down from the uplands to again cover this riverbank with garbage,” shares ranger Junjun Brinola. Though the work is ceaseless, regular river cleanups can help prevent garbage from flowing out to sea.  (Gregg Yan / PEMSEA)