#cleancoasts – A call for volunteers to join Ireland's largest coastal cleanup was made today by Clean Coasts Ambassador Easkey Britton. Clean Coasts Week 2015 takes place from May 8th to May 17th and everybody is invited to get involved in protecting and celebrating a beach they love.
A recent United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) report estimated that 8 million individual litter items enter the marine environment every day. This is certainly evident along Ireland's coastline. In 2014 Clean Coasts groups removed a staggering 500,000 marine litter items from our beaches. Marine Litter includes a range of materials which have been deliberately discarded, or accidentally lost on shore or at sea. It includes materials that are carried out to sea from land, rivers, drainage, sewerage systems and even by the wind.
Speaking at the launch Easkey Britton, Clean Coasts Ambassador said "Clean Coasts Week is about the power of the ocean to connect. Through coming together to celebrate our coasts at Clean Coasts events around the country and by joining local groups for beach clean-ups we create a stronger sense of community, a community connected by the sea. No matter how challenging the problem of marine litter might seem, together, even a small act can lead to positive change."
Speaking at the launch Annabel FitzGerald, Clean Coasts Manager, An Taisce said: "We are expecting more than 100 beaches to be cleaned by thousands of volunteers during Clean Coasts Week. Every piece of litter removed whether as part of a large beach clean or a #2MinuteBeachClean is one less item that will pollute our oceans or be ingested by marine life."
Speaking at the launch, Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland said, "While Clean Coasts activities take place all year round, the impact during Clean Coast week is significant. Year on year more and more volunteers are joining Ireland's largest coastal cleanup. The week is a great opportunity to connect with your local Clean Coasts group and to take part in events all over Ireland."
In addition to the many beach cleans that will be taking place there are also Coastal Celebration events, including the National #2MinuteBeachClean Day, launch of Love Your Coast photography competition, film screenings, Coastal talks, Beat the Microbead Day and lots more. While all events are free, some are ticketed; people are encouraged to check out the website for more details. www.cleancoasts.org
