Dhruv Boruah became deeply concerned after hearing about fellow competitors in a yacht race across the Atlantic Ocean witnessing two sea turtles tangled up in plastic debris.
CNN reported on the sympathetic adventurer, who sacrificed his job as a businessman to devote his time in making the world's oceans a safer place for us and our fellow sea creatures.
After completing the race in Rio Rio de Janeiro, Boruah returned to his home in London and devised a plan that would help him navigate the rivers of the city to combat plastic pollution.
He achieved this by constructing a bamboo bicycle with yellow floats flanking either side at the base with a pedal-powered propeller attached at the front.
CNN caught up with the 35-year-old humanitarian who was floating around on the job. Boruah said that he enjoys interacting with curious onlookers to help spread awareness of his mission – The Thames Project.
It's a great conversation starter, and then I can tell them about my work, the plastic, and how it all starts here in the canals.
In the project's website, the environmentalist explains the harmful effects of plastic pollution and how he plans to address the problem.
The real danger are the microfibers and micoplastics that act as magnets and attract toxic pharmaceutical chemicals which they release inside marine life, possibly humans.
We need to expose these dangers to our communities and make them aware about these dangers and inspire them to take action. I have a blog about the hidden plastic in our dinner.
By interacting with the community – whether through local sports clubs, businesses, or festivals – the project aims "to educate, motivate, consult and inspire them to take ownership of their local plastic foot print."
He stressed the importance of caring for the environment to protect ourselves and future generations.
Plastic is now in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
You have to care because it's about you, your health, and the health of your children. Why are we destroying this planet for them?
Boruah began cleaning the Thames River of garbage a year ago and sets out on the waterways every three weeks. It takes him 40 minutes to assemble his waterborne bike before traversing the network of canals across the city, carrying only a single backpack for each "shift."
On one occasion, he's enlisted the help of others in Birmingham and collectively helped rid the waters of 275 kilograms (606 pounds) worth of plastic.
The former businessman was a management consultant and would spend 14 hours in front of the computer screen. One day, he had an epiphany that sparked his ambition of doing something far greater than being an office drone.
But then I asked myself, 'when was the last time I saw a star? Are my eyes made for the stars or for the screen?
Now, instead of reaching for the very stars that eluded him in the past because of work, he's taking a more proactive approach in protecting our environment.
And people are noticing.
His makeshift invention could chart the course for a cleaner future.
His dedication is inspiring others to do what they can to make a difference.
While plastic usage can be convenient, it consists of harmful pollutants and is not biodegradable. It also consists of toxic compounds that can cause illness and are harmful to the environment and pose dangers to animals, according to Conserve Energy Future.
Plastic's damaging effects are irreversible. We don't have to patent water bicycles and scoop up the trash left by others, but there are ways we can pitch in and do our part for the preservation of our planet, like shopping with paper or cloth bags.
Every little bit helps.
H/T - ConserveEnergyFuture, YouTube, Twitter, CNN