New Podcast Series: Aquatic Plastic Podcast
The Carpathian Convention is pleased to highlight the launch of the Aquatic Plastic Podcast, a new series dedicated to addressing one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges: plastic pollution in rivers and seas.
Through engaging conversations with experts, innovators, and community leaders, the podcast explores how local initiatives, creative solutions, and cross-border cooperation can contribute to restoring the health of our waterways. Listeners are invited to join these inspiring journeys that connect personal stories, grassroots mobilization, and international policy efforts.
Featured episodes include:
- Episode 1: Nick Thorpe
A journalist and documentary filmmaker, Nick reflects on his journey along the Danube—from the Black Forest to the Black Sea—and the deep connections between rivers, ecosystems, and the human stories along their banks. - Episode 2: Ian Davies & Adam Kovacs
Ian, a former firefighter, and his wife Edina founded the Tisza Tidy Up Initiative, mobilizing communities, schools, and even traditional boat-building to revive the Tisza River. Joined by ICPDR expert Adam, they share cross-border strategies for addressing plastic and emerging pollution threats in the Danube Basin. - Episode 3: Sydney Steenland
Raised on boats, Sydney’s deep bond with the sea led her to establish the Sea Monkey Project, which provides accessible recycling solutions to remote communities—a compelling blend of personal history and environmental innovation. - Episode 4: Bernard Merkx
As co-founder of the Waste Free Ocean Initiative, Bernard works with fishermen and local communities to retrieve plastic from waterways and repurpose it into useful products—while advocating for EU policy change and promoting a sustainable “water paradigm”. - Episode 5: Ramon Knoester
Dutch architect and environmental pioneer Ramon Knoester, founder of Clear Rivers, combines activism and design by intercepting plastic pollution with innovative litter traps and transforming it into beautiful and functional recycled floating parks—green islands that foster wildlife and reconnect people with water.
Hosted by Gergely Hankó and Attila Dávid Molnár, the podcast brings together diverse voices, including NGO representatives, students, cleanup organizers, riverside communities, and environmental innovators.
🔗 Listen here: Aquatic Plastic Podcast
This podcast is produced within the framework of AQUATIC PLASTIC, an Interreg Danube Region Programme project, co-funded by the European Union with contributions from partner states and institutions.
📩 The project team welcomes feedback and suggestions for future guests who could contribute valuable expertise to this important dialogue.
