Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest volunteer effort for ocean's health will be held on September 15, 2012. Volunteers all around the globe will remove debris from beaches, coasts, creeks, rivers, lakes and shorelines protecting wildlife from harm while taking care of the environment.
ICC Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, our Philippine ICC Coordinators set the nationwide Coastal Cleanup day to October 6, 2012 with approval of Ocean Conservancy. This is to assure health and safety of the volunteers from water and vector transmissible diseases and dangerous debris brought by floods after a strong monsoon rain or storm. Likewise, for road & bridges repair in storm affected cleanup areas.
Everyone is invited to join the cleanup. Just visit our website for details on how to participate or coordinate a cleanup and for other information and downloadable materials >>
What is International Coastal Cleanup?
Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup is the world's largest volunteer effort for ocean's health. Each year, thousands of volunteers from around the globe participate, clearing tons of trash from coastlines, rivers and lakes and recording every piece of trash collected. Last year, 598,076 volunteers from 96 countries picked up about 9.1 million pounds of trash and other debris and covered 20,776 miles during beach, waterways and underwater cleanups. Over the the past 25 years, nearly 9 million volunteers from 152 countries and locations have shown their enduring alliance for a trash free seas.
We are all connected to the ocean. And we're all responsible for the trash we leave behind, whether we mean to or not. Please join the global movement that is giving back to the ocean, by spending just one day of removing trash from our beaches and waterways. It's time for us to turn the tide. . . .
Marine Debris and Where it Comes From
Marine debris is the term for any manufactured item that ends up as trash in out ocean, lakes, or inland waterways, More than an eyesore, trash in the ocean is one of the world's pervasive problems. It sickens and kills thousands of marine animals and birds. It is also undermines economies based on tourism and fisheries. All kinds of trash, from cigarette butts and fishing line to tires and large household appliances, accumulate on beaches and beneath the water surface. All of it shares a common origin. At a critical point decision point, someone, somewhere mishandled it, either thoughtlessly or deliberately.
There's good news. We can prevent trash in the ocean.
Where does all the trash in the ocean originate? Knowing the answer to this question leads to better management plans and policies to stop it at the source. During International Coastal Cleanup day, we not only pick up trash and marine debris but also record information about it. Data collected tracks trash from two major source categories: Land-based and Water-based.
Land-based. Debris enters the water from a variety of land-based sources, many located hundreds of miles inland. All of the following can reach the sea through storm drain systems, creeks, rivers and canals. Trash and waste from recreational beach goers and fishers, processors and transporters, material manufacturers, land-based solid waste disposal and processing facilities, illegal or inappropriate dumping and littering. Sewer overflows, malfunctioning sewage treatment plants, and storm-water runoff also send debris into creeks, rivers, and eventually, the ocean. You might assume that most marine debris comes from marine activities, like boasting. But studies show that as much as 80% comes from the land.
Water-based. Municipal and commercial fishing vessels, recreational boats and cruise ships, merchant and military vessels and offshore platforms and their supply vessels are the primary water-based debris. But that's only the beginning. Tracking trash can be further refined as you can see from the standardized data card designed by the Ocean Conservancy into five debris-producing activities:
- Recreational and shoreline activities. Items like plastic and paper bags, fast food wrappers/containers, balloons, plastic cups, plates, and utensils; straws, bottle caps, soda cans, plastic and glass beverage containers from beach goers, picnics, sports events and activities of communities near coastal areas.
- Ocean and waterway activities. Debris from recreational fishing and boating, municipal and commercial fishing, cargo, military and cruise ships, and offshore industries, like oil drilling.
- Smoking-Related. Items from smoking include cigarette filters, cigar tips, lighters and tobacco packaging.
- Dumping. Illegal dumping includes things like, building materials, car and car parts, batteries, appliances, drums and tires.
- Medical/Personal Hygiene. This category includes diapers, condoms, sanitary napkins and syringes.
No comments:
Post a Comment