Plastic pollution threatens Bali's waters
By Wang Sisi
["china"]
11:02
A British diver recently filmed underwater footage of plastic waste and garbage in the waters off the coast of Bali, Indonesia.
The video went viral on social media and focused attention, once again, on the environmental destruction inflicted on Bali.
Large amounts of plastic waste in the water /CGTN Photo

Large amounts of plastic waste in the water /CGTN Photo

"When I was filming it, swimming through it, it's kind of sad. You see this much plastic, and you know it's not good. And you know it's going to cause problems later on," Rich Horner, the diver, told Assignment Asia.
Bali's crystal clear waters attract millions of tourists every year.
A popular vacation spot, the island was named TripAdvisor's greatest holiday destination in 2017.  
But that popularity has pushed the island to its breaking point.
In recent years, Bali has seen its plastic waste problem growing rapidly. Popular tourist destinations are usually found covered in waste – mostly plastic – especially during the rainy season.
Trash Hero is a local organization that brings communities together to reduce waste on Bali's beaches.
In the past year, the group has mobilized up to 3,000 volunteers and collected some 15,000 kilograms of plastic waste.  
Volunteers pick up waste on the beach. /CGTN Photo

Volunteers pick up waste on the beach. /CGTN Photo

Speaking to Assignment Asia, the Trash Hero chairman Wayan Aksara said: "We are here for an hour every week. We are positive that these small changes, when done consistently, can be indispensable."
Each clean-up brings together residents, government agencies, schools, and tourists to help create a cleaner, greener and plastic-free future.