A SMALL eco-army of 50 volunteers in Limerick collected a huge 300 kilogrammes of litter across a series of seven clean-ups held nationally both on land and by the seaside to mark Clean Coasts month.
As part of the yearly initiative, individuals, households, community and sports groups, and more banded together to prevent litter pollution at the source to ensure it does not end up in the ocean.
The month of June marked the celebration of Irish environmental programme, Clean Coasts’ 20th anniversary, and saw some clear community spirit exhibited by volunteers taking part in clean-up events in Limerick.
Wednesday June 8 also marked the global celebration of World Ocean Day, an initiative that highlights the important role the ocean has for our life and the planet.
“The significance of community spirit in Clean Coasts volunteers across Limerick this year and years prior cannot be understated and over the past two decades, groups nationwide have tirelessly worked towards the preservation and conservation of our precious coastlines, reminding us all of the vital role we play in protecting our oceans,” a spokesperson for Clean Coasts said.
“For this reason, to mark the milestone of their 20th anniversary this June, Clean Coasts are celebrating all the achievements of community groups and volunteers.”
Statistics indicate that the leading cause of marine litter is urban littering, making World Ocean Day a valuable opportunity for residents of non-coastal areas to address this issue at its root and prevent litter from entering waterways.
The World Ocean Day organisation promotes collective conservation efforts, engaging with organisations across 140 countries.
With this years’ theme set as ‘Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing’, World Ocean Day 2023 emphasises the significance of preserving marine resources for the well-being of future generations.
