Growing numbers of volunteers tackle trash on Singapore’s beaches

Marine animals can also die after ingesting litter. Sharp plastic fragments can puncture internal organs, while plastic bags can cause intestinal blockages that prevent them from feeding, ultimately leading to starvation. 

The importance of protecting marine ecosystems extends beyond individual species, said marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle. 

“The ocean is 97 per cent of the biosphere where life exists. This is not just rocks and water. This is a living system. We need the planet alive, functioning in our favour,” she said. 

She stressed that human activities are increasingly altering the ocean’s ability to sustain life, underscoring the need for stronger conservation efforts and public action. 

Locally, organisers are calling for stronger enforcement against littering, particularly during late-night hours when offences may go unnoticed. 

They are also encouraging more Singaporeans to participate in clean-up efforts, not only along the nation’s coastlines but within neighbourhoods and heartland communities, in the hope of tackling litter before it reaches the ocean.