Over the last 30 to 40 years, millions of tons of plastic have entered the oceans. Global production of plastic now stands at 288 million tons per year, of which 10% ends up in the ocean in time. Most of that, around 80%, comes from land-based sources. Litter gets swept into drains, and ends up in rivers; so that plastic straw or cup lid you dropped, the cigarette butt you threw on the road… they could all end up in the sea.
One way for seaside residents to make a difference is to help clean up local beaches. An inevitable consequence of the dumping of garbage in our oceans is that it washes on our shores, this threatens the beach dwellers as well as the marine life when it gets washed back into the ocean.
On Saturday, 26th August, we will be cleaning up one local beach with a crew of volunteers to get the movement going. We are asking you to let us know on Facebook or Twitter exactly which beaches you think NEED a cleanup the most.
From there we will be hosting another on Saturday, 2 September; this time letting you know where we will be and inviting you to come join crew in the effort. The hope is that by this stage we can start creating the movement of cleaner beaches so that by the time International Coastal Cleanup Day rolls around, we are primed to make a real change along the entire coastline of South Africa. When you join us, let us know by using the hashtag #beachhousecleanup in your Instagram posts so we can monitor the impact and further spread the movement.
For International Coastal Cleanup Day we will be truly trying to Harness the Power of People to Fight Ocean trash! Nearly 12 million people and counting have been part of the world’s biggest volunteer effort to protect the ocean.
Today, plastic has been found in 62% of all sea birds and in 100% of sea turtle species.
A problem as big as plastic in the ocean requires a big response! By participating in the International Coastal Clean-up, every participant can make a difference. We’ll join millions of volunteers just like us, who love the ocean and want to protect it. This year’s International Coastal Clean-up is Saturday, September 16th, 2017, so mark your calendar and remember to do your part, knowing that we will be out there somewhere with you.
Coastal Cleanup Day is your chance to really make a difference, and help others to do the same!
