In a major victory for environmental conservation, volunteers in the Arctic Cleanup project removed over 61,000 pounds of trash from fragile Arctic ecosystems in 2023. This initiative, part of the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) program, has been a three-year effort to restore Arctic shorelines through voluntary cleanups and grassroots research.
Collaborating with Keep Norway Clean, Ocean Conservancy, and local Arctic groups, volunteers tackled polluted areas across Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Alaska. A highlight of the effort was Beach Cleanup Day in Skjervøy, Norway, where 39 volunteers collected 440 pounds of debris in a single day.
By engaging local residents, businesses, and authorities, the project has raised awareness about marine pollution and inspired action. As the Arctic faces increasing environmental challenges, this initiative proves that collective effort can make a lasting impact in protecting one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.