Swiss IT Guy Finds 500 Cigarette Butts
Mischa Gurov's 60km swim to work exposes Zürich's dirty secret in just 30 meters of canal
Mischa Gurov, an IT professional, has taken an unconventional approach to his daily commute in Zürich, Switzerland. He swims the last 1.35 kilometers of his journey to work through the Schanzengraben canal, collecting trash and exploring the underwater world.
Gurov has swum over 60 kilometers this year, using an underwater camera to discover the canal's ecosystem. On one occasion, he collected over 500 cigarette butts along a 30-meter stretch of the canal. This effort not only helps to clean up the city's waterways but also highlights the importance of preserving the environment.
The Schanzengraben canal is home to brown trout, which require clean, cool, oxygen-rich water to survive. Gurov's actions are a step towards protecting these fish and the overall ecosystem. His experience has also shown that nature can be found in unexpected places, even in the heart of a city.
Gurov's passion for environmental conservation is not new. In 2018, he launched an anti-littering petition in London to clean up Richmond Park and the River Thames. Now, in Zürich, he is working with the city's waste disposal and water protection organisation, Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ), to identify and protect the city's aquatic life.
## Why it matters Gurov's story showcases the impact one person can have on their environment. By combining his daily commute with environmental conservation, he is setting an example for others to follow. As cities around the world struggle with pollution and waste management, initiatives like Gurov's can inspire change and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
Gurov's journey is not just about cleaning up the canal but also about discovering the hidden world beneath the city's surface. His use of an underwater camera has revealed a surprisingly rich urban ecosystem, complete with fish, old stone walls, and other unexpected features. This highlights the importance of exploring and protecting these often-overlooked areas, which can have a significant impact on the overall health of the environment.
