Babacar Thiaw's Mission to Save Senegal's Ocean from Plastic Pollution

The Plastic Problem in Dakar

• 🌊 Dakar, a peninsula surrounded by water, faces a significant challenge with plastic waste ending up in the ocean due to wind and street litter.
• 💡 Surfer Babacar Thiaw realized the extent of the problem in 2010, finding plastic debris daily during his surf sessions.
• ⚠️ He questioned his future in such a polluted environment, motivating him to seek sustainable alternatives like reusable glass bottles and bamboo straws.

Community Action and Business Initiatives

• 🎯 Thiaw's business initiative to eliminate plastic trash resulted in a 35% reduction in plastic waste.
• 🗑️ He distributed 100 trash cans to six different beaches, collaborating with the City Hall for regular emptying.
• 🗣️ He emphasizes that reducing plastic is not just a want but a necessity for public health, as plastic is a chemical material that contaminates fish with microplastics.

Educating the Next Generation

• 🌱 Early education for children about the risks of plastic use is highlighted as a life-changing endeavor.
• 🌍 Beyond business, Thiaw aims to raise national awareness in Senegal about broader environmental issues, including sewage pollution entering the ocean.

Water Quality Monitoring Program

• 🔬 In June 2023, Surfrider Foundation Senegal launched a water monitoring program to address the lack of focus on water quality, unlike beach cleanups.
• 📊 The program involves testing water quality at six different beaches every Tuesday, with plans to present findings after two years to officials.
• 🤝 The goal is to build a strong database to inform officials and drive change, advocating for participative solutions where everyone contributes their ideas.

Protecting What We Love

• 🚀 Thiaw and his team at Surfrider Foundation are committed to protecting the ocean, driven by a shared mission.
• ✨ He desires to live in a clean environment that fosters thriving and to leave a positive legacy for future generations.