• Posted 14-Jun-2021

World Oceans Day: Together to protect marine life

On June 8th, as there was a celebration of World Oceans Day, the 2021 edition of the #EUBeachCleanup campaign was announced, aiming to raise awareness on the human impact on the ocean and build a worldwide citizens’ movement for sustainable action.

This year, the European Commission, EEAS, the United Nations and the Smurfs joined forces to protect marine life. As there is the international biodiversity conference (COP-15) in the autumn, the campaign will be devoted to biodiversity protection. This coming September, thousands of volunteers will be rallying to pick up litter on beaches across the globe, protecting the wonderful wealth of biodiversity. From fish and sea birds to the ever awe-inspiring mammals.

As an integral part of this 4th edition, it is important to collaborate with UN’s Act Now campaign. Like #EUBeachCleanup, Act Now incentivizes people to take sustainable action through everyday habits and enables users to log and track progress. An app provides impact metrics, educational journeys, sustainability hacks and quizzes. Users will also be able to share their progress on social media – turning every individual action, into a wave of change.

The 2020 edition of #EUBeachCleanup was primarily digital. Under the slogan “the ocean starts with you”, the campaign encouraged individual actions from home.  As parts of the world are gradually reopening, we are hopeful that even more physical clean-ups can be organised this year, and citizens worldwide are warmly invited to join, wherever the sanitary situation allows. More information will follow over the summer.

Source: European Commission I Oceans and fisheries (https://bit.ly/3gMG69l)