In support of World Ocean Day 2022, CLSA organized a series of coastal clean-ups throughout the islands and beaches of Hong Kong and its regions, aimed at reducing marine debris and enhancing ocean conservation.
World Ocean Day 2022 is a significant global annual event and represents an opportunity to unite communities around the world in support of the sustainable management of the world’s oceans. The World Ocean Day 2022 theme this year is “Revitalisation: Collective Action for our Ocean” and draws attention to the 10 million plus tons of plastic entering the oceans every year, leaving ecosystems and marine life extremely vulnerable and at risk.
CLSA organised coastal clean-ups to support World Ocean Day on beaches near Ting Kok and Sam Mun Tsai where mangrove forests can be found. Mangroves plays a crucial role in Hong Kong’s marine ecosystem. They are home to an abundance of marine life which serve as natural sea defence absorbing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which mitigate against the worsening climate crisis.
Volunteers from CLSA Hong Kong collected numerous marine debris washed up and littering the beach. The most common objects collected were disposable plastic bottles, take away containers, rubber, and Styrofoam. We also found vehicle tyres, furniture, metals, construction materials, batteries, cigarette butts, household products, glass, and drink box straws.
The CLSA coastal clean-up campaign has run for more than 11 years and over 3,000kg of non-biodegradable waste has been collected. This year we are happy to partner with World Ocean Day 2022 and participate in the series of events coordinated around the globe. Collectively our actions will help influence world leaders to support strong protecting for our shared ocean as they make decisions leading up to the U.N. Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.
Let’s do our part to protect our ocean and living more sustainably.