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Description
The project increase dthe application of circular economy principles through the reduction of contribution from land-based sources of marine plastic littering. The project developed a set of initiatives and tools that promote continuous participation and Continued Ocean Literacy and Protection and Preservation of the Sea integrated in educational systems, information to citizens, training of technicians at the administrative and business levels. The project''s outputs will be 0.473 Tons of recycled plastic, 307 prevention and awareness campaigns supported and 3 voluntary actions supported. The project includes activities such as sessions aimed at raising awareness of marine litter and the impact of our attitudes and choices, as well as the importance of prevention in the production of plastics, development of a board game, plogging, campaigns with advice on what citizens can apply in their daily lives to refuse products packaged in single-use plastic, clarification sessions for fishermen, tour operators, auction officials and beach concessionaires and communication campaigns to raise community awareness of protecting the marine environment, preventing and combating oil in the marine environment.
Summary of project results
Planet Earth, known as the "Blue Planet", mostly covered by water, with 71% of its ocean area, is threatened by one of today''s biggest environmental problems, Marine Litter.
The ocean is much more than salt water and fish. The ocean is a balance engine for our planet, capable of storing pollutants, trapping CO2 in our atmosphere, and supplying O2 through marine photosynthetic organisms with the ability to regulate climate. It’s also fundamental for economic activities, such as mineral resources exploration, energy production, tourism and recreational activities, and essential for our survival, because of its role in the population''s diet.
Exploitation of this ecosystem (intensive fishing, unsustainable aquaculture, greenhouse gas increases) is causing its disruption, and rising water temperatures and destruction of various habitats. In addition, waste that is abandoned, discarded or incorrectly disposed, increased marine litter, where, despite the wide variety of materials, plastic is the main threat. It is estimated to represent over 80% of marine litter. The characteristics and versatility of this material made it useful for our society, however, as the quantities increases and their production way, use and disposal make it impossible to optimize and monetize this resource in a sustainable way through a circular economy, turning it in a serious situation for the marine and terrestrial environment.
Each year, about 9 million tons of plastic waste, mostly from single-use items, are discharged to oceans around the world. According to the United Nations, from all the waste observed on beaches, only 15% are due to marine litter. Another 15% float at the surfasse of seas and ocean and the remaining 70% return to the ocean floor. Maritime activities (fishing, tourism, oil and natural gas exploration platforms, aquaculture facilities) are responsible for 20% of all marine litter, and land activities contribute with the remaining 80% of industrial, tourist activities. poor management of municipal waste, discharge of unused effluent and/or sewage treatment.
Another risk factor is the threat to the environment and human health marine litter represents. The breakdown of plastic into small fragments - the microplastics (less than 5 mm in size) - allows it to entry into the food chain through ingestion by marine animals. Some studies reveal microplastics in the air, groundwater reserves and food products. However, impacts on human health are still poorly documented.
A Strategy to Combat Marine Waste is based on the Sustainable Development Goals and a National Environmental Education Strategy. Once the human being the main causative agent of environmental problems, he should be sensitized to a change regarding a behavior change. Raising awareness of sustainability and citizen intervention is crucial, empowering children and young people, as well as the whole of civil society, reinforcing that marine litter starts with our choices at home. As so it is imperative to preserve and conserve the oceans, enjoying it in a more sustainable way.
LIPOR, in its area of operation, in partnership with IPDJ, with coverage at the national level, through this CANDIDATE OPERATION – THERE IS RIVER AND SEA, THERE IS WASTE TO TRANSFORM, intends to develop a set of initiatives and tools that promote continuous participation and Continued Ocean Literacy and Protection and Preservation of the Sea integrated in educational systems, information to citizens, training of technicians at the administrative and business levels. Therefore, it is assumed that the strengthening of education and the awareness of the population are the determining factors for success in pursuing a new direction.
AXIS 1 - AWARENESS
1. Dissemination of the project to educational establishments
2. Publicizing the project within the community
3. Dissemination of the project to a specific audience
AXIS 2 - LITERACY
4. Literacy
AXIS 3 - PROMOTION AND DISCLOSURE
5. Promotion and Publicity
The project addressed the general public, not only at local but also at national level, including specific activities for children and with schools. The main results were:
8 Participants in the national Short Film competition
1000 Best Practice Guides
399 KG Material collected in Plogging actions
100% adequate referral for waste recovery in plogging actions
307 awareness raising actions
The dissemination of good practices throughout the project implementation period has resulted in requests to boost same activities. The project plans to continue communication actions, making the materials produced profitable, and keeping the project and the theme associated with it alive.