Aquatic Plastic - Second episode of Aquatic Plastic Podcast is out!

Ian Davies - Tisza Tidy Up - How a firefighter started to fight plastic pollution

In the second episode of Aquatic Plastic, we dive into the world of Ian Davies, a retired firefighter turned environmentalist, who swapped the River Thames for the Tisza River in Hungary. Together with his wife, Edina, Ian co-founded the Tisza Tidyup Initiative, a grassroots mission to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution with a whole lot of community spirit. Spoiler alert: this episode is packed with heart, humor, and a surprising amount of wooden boat-building.

Ian’s firefighting skills didn’t just stay on dry land—they help him and his team navigate risks during river cleanups. Ian and Edina mobilize locals and volunteers to rescue the Tisza’s riverbanks and forests from plastic pollution. Alongside their cleanup missions, they take their knowledge and experiences to schools, inspiring kids to become the next generation of eco-defenders.

And the cherry on top? They built a traditional wooden fishing boat (ladik) to mix heritage and environmentalism, showing that sustainability can float on tradition. 

The special guest of the show is Adam Kovacs, a technical expert and someone who is dealing with pollution control on a daily basis at the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The conversation reflects the evolution of environmental priorities in the Danube River Basin, from addressing nutrient and organic pollution to tackling emerging threats like plastics and hazardous substances. Kovacs emphasizes how targeted interventions in specific areas responsible for the majority of emissions can significantly reduce pollution without restructuring the entire basin. The ICPDR’s international framework enables countries to collectively address shared challenges, fostering data sharing, policy alignment, and cooperative action. 

This episode is a reminder that fighting pollution can be serious work—but with the right people and a splash of creativity, it can also be seriously fun.

Chapters

Chapter 1:  From flames to flow: Introduction of the guest - Ian Davies (00:00:00 - 00:03:50)

The part when we know how a firefighter turned into an environmentalist and why it is good for a group of people if someone so experienced is the leader. “I find myself constantly making risk assessments as to whether what we are doing is safe.”

Chapter 2: From Fire Hoses to River Waves (00:03:50 - 00:10:45)

From childhood days on sunny Maltese beaches to exploring canals with his own kids, Ian’s life has always been full of watery adventures. Ian’s knack for problem-solving and love for water followed him right into his next adventure: cleaning rivers. Turns out, once a firefighter, always a firefighter—just with a twist.

Chapter 3: From Greenwich to the Tisza – A Tale of Two Rivers (00:10:45 - 00:17:09)

Edina tells the story of how she left Hungary to explore life in England and how she met Ian. They spent much time together and their own and shared experiences would later inspire their return to Hungary and commitment to preserving the Tisza.

Chapter 4: A River in Crisis – The Cyanide Disaster and Its Aftermath (00:17:09 - 00:20:47)

The 2000 cyanide spill on the Tisza, dubbed the second-worst environmental disaster after Chernobyl, left scars on the river’s ecosystem, fishing traditions, and tourism. In this episode we reflect a little bit on the resilience of the river and the people who worked tirelessly to mitigate the damage. 

Chapter 5: The Power of Community – Volunteers and New Beginnings (00:20:47 - 00:31:30)

Moving back to Hungary, Ian and Edina were inspired by the community spirit that blossomed around their cleanup initiatives. Volunteers from all walks of life—parents, children, local leaders, and even the deputy mayor—joined forces to care for the river. For Ian, it was a way to find his place in the town, while for Edina, it reignited her childhood love for the river. Their shared mission created a vibrant network of friendships and partnerships, laying the foundation for ongoing efforts to protect the Tisza.

Chapter 7: Shifting Currents: Tackling Pollution in the Danube Basin (00:20:47 - 00:43:53)

Adam Kovacs, a technical expert at the ICPDR, discusses the changing environmental priorities in the Danube River Basin, shifting focus from nutrient and organic pollution to emerging threats like plastics and hazardous substances. He highlights the effectiveness of targeted interventions in key pollution hotspots to reduce emissions.

Chapter 8: A River's Rhythm (00:44:05 - 00:50:14)

In this chapter, we dive into the essence of the Tisza Tidy Up initiative. The cleanup efforts are carefully timed to the river’s unpredictable flow. Ian shares how they adapt to conditions, especially after floods. Ian and Edina explain how cleanups go beyond just picking up trash – they’re about creating a sense of community, bringing people together, and having fun while making a real difference. 

Chapter 9: Education, Art, and the Environment (00:50:14 - 01:06:35)

Art and education play a central role in the initiative. From fish painting with schoolchildren to creating interactive plays, the focus is on teaching environmental responsibility in fun, engaging ways. Ian talks about the joy of inspiring kids through creativity, showing them how even small actions – like picking up a bottle – make a big difference in preserving the environment.

Timecode for youtube:

00:00:00 From flames to flow: Introduction of the guest - Ian Davies

00:03:50 From Fire Hoses to River Waves

00:10:45 From Greenwich to the Tisza – A Tale of Two Rivers

00:17:09 A River in Crisis – The Cyanide Disaster and Its Aftermath

00:20:47 The Power of Community – Volunteers and New Beginnings 

00:31:30 Shifting Currents: Tackling Pollution in the Danube Basin

00:44:05 A River's Rhythm 

00:50:14 Education, Art, and the Environment