Photo: SEA MARVEL team member, Dr Clare Marie Mifsud delivering a presentation prior to discussion with students on impacts of plastics.
5 June was designated as World Environment Day by the United Nations in 1973, marking this year as the 50th anniversary. This day has become a significant annual event celebrated worldwide. This day serves to drive enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of responsibility towards conserving our planet and the organisms living on it.
One pressing environmental concern that demands attention is plastic pollution. This has become a global crisis impacting ecosystems, economies, and human health. According to the United Nations, around 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans each year. Such pollution is detrimental, not only to marine life but also enters our food chain resulting in a threat to human health.
The University of Malta SEA MARVEL project team, from the Conservation Biology Research Group led by Prof. Adriana Vella, together with its counter-partner’s team in Sicily, is committed to act on plastic pollution at a regional level. The aim of the project is to assess the presence and the distribution of vulnerable indicator species, alien species, and plastic waste in six Natura 2000 sites in the Mediterranean Sea. The approach involves engaging schools and young individuals through awareness initiatives that aims to cultivate responsible citizenship and promote sustainable development in the region. In schools, World Environment Day, offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness among students about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution and inspire them to take action.
Different school students were exposed not only to presentations and discussion on marine biodiversity but also on the extensive range of human impacts in the coastal environment, specifically on the impacts of plastic pollution. Marine Natura 2000 sites have been designated for many years in Maltese waters but there is still little recognition of their significant role or importance to life. The race to reduce to zero plastic and other forms of pollution is on and therefore every single action counts.
Through several initiatives raising awareness about the plastic problem, students may also be catalysts for change within their communities and advocate for a cleaner, greener future.
The SEA MARVEL team is working proactively by strengthening the Plastic Free Schools idea where several schools have already signed a protocol showing their determination to get to this important all-encompassing target of say no to any plastics in their schools. SEA MARVEL is also encouraging the effective use of well-maintained Sea Bins in key areas of the Maltese Islands to help reduce the number of plastic debris in coastal waters. Youths need to see more and more practical solutions to the numerous environmental problems.
Essential allies in these efforts within Maltese schools include the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise, both Associate Partners of the SEA MARVEL project and the voluntary assistance of the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF), an NGO well known for its conservation research, awareness, and actions.
Preparing future generations to be more responsible and ingenious citizens ready to take up challenges and converting them to opportunities to help this blue planet be a better place to live on, needs effective collaboration to join forces. Everyone no matter the age or background can learn and participate towards saving our collective home - EARTH.
Further information can be available by contacting Prof. Adriana Vella by email.