Over the past few decades, people around the world have been mobilized every year to participate in cleanup activities along beaches, river banks, and even, underwater. Since the first international beach cleanup organized by members of the Ocean Conservancy in the United States in the late 1980s, cleanup efforts have grown exponentially, with over 100 countries participating each year. Considered as the largest one-day volunteer event, International Coastal Cleanup Day attracts the participation of young people, students, regional and international organizations, government agencies, members of the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and the general public.
Since its inception, the International Coastal Cleanup movement has successfully drawn people together under one common environmental concern- taking care of our oceans. It seeks to inspire action among individuals- the type of action that will not only be habitual but will also positively influence friends, families, and local communities. Beach cleanups are also organized on other commemorative environmental days throughout the year such as World Wetlands Day, World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, and collectively, they help to build networks of environmentally-conscious individuals who seek to bring about positive changes in their communities, cities and countries.
In addition to stimulating action, beach cleanups increase public awareness about the accumulation and negative impacts of litter in oceans, on coastlines and on beaches. Marine litter is any “persistent, manufactured or processed solid material [that is] discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment”. Its sources can be land-based, such as landfills, rivers and inland waterways, areas where solid waste is carelessly disposed, as well as, ocean-based, for example, through fishing vessels and offshore oil platforms. One of the main objectives of beach cleanups is to document the types and quantity of trash collected, and this information can assist in the analysis of waste management practices. Marine litter affects everyone, and greater understanding of its origins and impacts will serve as the basis for the collective action needed to control, prevent and/or reduce its impacts.
What are the Secretariat’s planned activities for International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2019?
International Coastal Cleanup Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday in September. This year, it will be held on September 21.
In recognition of ICC 2019, staff members of the Secretariat will lead the participation of United Nations agencies in Jamaica in the annual beach cleanup organized by the Jamaica Environment Trust. This will take place at the Palisadoes Go Kart track in Kingston.
Volunteers will represent the United Nations Environment Programme Caribbean Sub-Regional Office (CSRO), Resident Coordinator’s Office, United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The UN Jamaica Country Team will be participating under the Delivering As One approach which focuses on the commitment of all agencies to deliver results together, in this case, to protect Life Under Water (SDG 14).
This activity is accompanied by a 12-day public awareness and education campaign that was launched on Facebook and Twitter on September 10. The campaign is coordinated by the Secretariat and includes the participation of UN agencies in Jamaica. Through this effort, the Secretariat seeks to raise awareness on the impacts of marine litter, and by extension, marine pollution, on the health of humans, marine life and the marine and coastal ecosystems. It also sensitizes target audiences on the threats of marine pollution to sustainable economic growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, social media posts will increase the visibility of the contribution of UN agencies to the achievement of SDG 14 and their various initiatives, projects and pledges that incorporate sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. The campaign will further target positive behavioural changes in the general public so as to encourage greater interest and eventual participation in beach cleanups on September 21.
The Secretariat and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), as co-hosts of the Caribbean Node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML-Caribe) in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) will also undertake a joint project with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN). This initiative focuses on enhancing the work of GPML-Caribe through the design and launch of a Regional Clean Seas Campaign that will form an integral part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2019 regional campaign.
Developing communication materials to adopt and implement the Clean Seas Campaign in the Wider Caribbean Region will also be another key objective of the project, as well as, field testing a standardized hybrid approach to monitoring marine litter on beaches. The Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) Chapters in Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago will facilitate this project.
How can you participate?
Join a beach cleanup or organize your own
Consult your local environmental agency for information on how to register for a beach cleanup in your area. The competent local authority responsible for these activities should also be able to provide guidance on how you can organize your own cleanup.
Although coastal cleanups are considered to be a reactive measure for addressing the impacts of poor solid waste management practices, they remain an effective means of raising awareness, encouraging regional and global support, and ultimately beginning a process of change in attitudes and behaviour.
On September 21, make a positive contribution to protect our marine environment- do your part for #CleanSeas!
Every effort counts.
