This coming Friday, December 3, a happening will be held on the shores of Israel to raise awareness of the state of the sea and life with a clean-up operation, as part of the day's largest beach and sea cleaning day.
Tens of thousands of volunteers, environmental activists and many citizens are expected to visit about 80 points along the coasts, from Rosh Hanikra in the north to Ashkelon in the south (including on the shores of Eilat and the Sea of Galilee) in order to emphasize decision makers,
Beach cleaning, Photo: The Society for the Protection of Nature
The event will take place, among others, at the following beaches: Rosh Hanikra, Betzet, Achziv, Shavei Zion, Bustan Hagalil, Acre Beach, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Haim, the quiet beach, Bat Galim, Azure, Shikmona, Carmel, Zamir / Dado, the students, beach Carmel, Neve Yam, Nachsholim, Maayan Zvi, Sdot Yam, Olga, Mikhmoret, Beit Yanai, Neurim, Sironit, Argaman, Poleg, Hasharon, Gaash, Shefayim, Acadia, Hatzuk, Tel Baruch, Metzitzim, Slope Jaffa, Givat Aliya, Hofi Bat Yam, Palmachim Beach, Ashdod Beaches, Ashkelon Beaches, Nitzanim, Eilat Beaches, Sea of Galilee Beaches and more.
It is estimated that every year, about 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the seas and oceans.
A national monitoring report of marine waste for 2019, conducted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Institute for Marine and Lake Research, found that about 70% of waste at sea consists of bags and plastic packaging, and in the last two years many face masks have been added to waste at beaches and at sea.
Citizens will also participate in the special cleaning day, Photo: The Society for the Protection of Nature
The sea also plays an important role in maintaining a stable climate, but its ability to balance the climate is at risk in the face of global change.
The eastern Mediterranean is warming at an accelerated rate due to climate change - and global warming and its temperature has risen by about 3 degrees in recent decades.
This change affects some Mediterranean species.
Conservation of nature at sea, through nature reserves, allows marine nature to continue to thrive, be more resilient to climate change, and even help mitigate climate change through the absorption of carbon dioxide.
Michael Raphael, National Coordinator of the Mediterranean Coalition, We: "I returned from the climate conference in Glasgow with a clear message: the world is in a climatic emergency and must act immediately. The sea suffers from serious dangers such as rising temperatures, fuel and plastic pollution and more. "The important factors that affect the climate and life on our planet. We must protect the sea with extensive marine reserves, at least 30%, in order to protect the diversity of species in the sea and life on Earth. Without the sea there is no life."
Hope to raise awareness, Photo: Society for the Protection of Nature
Pazit Shavid-Shayit, director of communities and urban activities at the Society for the Protection of Nature, explains that in an era of climate crisis and rising sea temperatures it is of great importance to humanity, the sea is our air conditioner and the marine system also absorbs the harmful gases we produce. "The more we keep the sea clean and healthy the better off we will be. Scientists estimate that by 2050, the mass of plastic waste in the oceans will be equal to or greater than the mass of living things. Humanity is polluting the sea and beaches and it is our time to change attitude. "Everything we brought back to the beach, with a little less weight, and leaving a beach free of food scraps and plastic wrappers that are harmful to flora and fauna and the whole important system. Keeping the beaches clean and well maintained is for our lives."
According to Mazi Magnaji Moskowitz, Director of Public Relations at the Nature and Parks Authority: "The marine environment is a world full of rich and diverse flora and fauna that man must do his best to preserve. Beyond public mobilization, the best way to preserve these natural values is by declaring "Marine nature reserves that will make it possible to protect them. For the sake of the current and future generations."
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