[Tallinn, Estonia, 1 September 2023] – The Baltic Sea region, spanning an area 4 times the size of the sea itself, is home to 9 nations, collectively hosting a population exceeding 85 million people. With approximately 100 cities lining its shores, these countries have embarked on a joint mission under the banner of the ‘Save Our Sea’ campaign.
Initiated by the global environmental organization Let's Do It World, the driving force behind World Cleanup Day, and in collaboration with the City of Tallinn – the European Green Capital 2023 – and the City of Helsinki, this collective endeavor seeks to raise awareness about the pressing environmental issues plaguing the Baltic Sea.
It also calls upon residents of cities and towns bordering the Baltic Sea to participate in beach clean-up efforts, targeting small litter such as plastic and cigarette butts, while fostering lasting behavioral change.
The official commencement of the campaign coincided with Baltic Sea Day on 31 August 2023, and will culminate on World Cleanup Day, to be held on 16 September 2023. During this period, a multitude of awareness-raising initiatives and practical activities will unfold across numerous cities and municipalities spanning the 9 Baltic Sea countries.
Heidi Solba, President and Head of Global Network of the Let’s Do It World NGO, emphasized, "The Baltic Sea, one of the world's youngest and most fragile bodies of water, experiences notably slow water circulation, taking approximately 30 years to complete a full exchange of its waters. Consequently, it exhibits a high susceptibility to environmental shifts and pollution."
Solba explained that the Baltic Sea currently grapples with various challenges, resulting in dead zones equivalent in size to that of Ireland. Many of these issues, including cigarette butt pollution, medical waste contamination, excessive fertilizer usage, and microplastic waste can all be mitigated through alterations in daily behavior.
The call to action extends to all citizens, urging them to organize beach clean-up initiatives to prevent plastic pollution from reaching the Baltic Sea. Solba encouraged individuals by saying, "The sea starts right where you are, thus every action matters. Choose one change in your everyday life to contribute to the preservation of the Baltic Sea."
She further emphasized that, by collaborating with neighboring countries, cities, organizations, and citizens, the region can collectively raise awareness about the Baltic Sea's significance in daily life and make a sustainable impact on behavior, ensuring a cleaner environment for generations to come.
Baltic Sea campaign events will take place from Baltic Sea Day on 31 August to World Cleanup Day on 16 September, both in 2023.
Let's Do It World is a global organization guided by an unwavering vision for a waste-free world. At the heart of all LDIW’s endeavors lies a profound commitment to raising awareness regarding the monumental challenge of solving the global mismanaged waste crisis – one that jeopardizes not only the environment but also the well-being of countless individuals and ecosystems.
Among its distinguished initiatives, their flagship project, World Cleanup Day, has succeeded in mobilizing an impressive cohort of over 71 million people hailing from 197 countries and territories over the past 5 years. These dedicated individuals have united in a collective effort to rid our planet of waste, thereby fostering a cleaner, healthier world for present and future generations.
Let's Do It World operates through member organizations and representatives spanning almost every country and territory in the world, further underscoring its global reach and impact. The organization's headquarters are strategically located in Tallinn, Estonia, serving as the hub from which its worldwide mission is orchestrated.
For registration to, and further information about, both Baltic Sea and World Cleanup Days, please visit www.seacleanup.org and worldcleanupday.org.
Media Contact:
Heidi Solba
President and Head of the Global Network
Let’s Do It World
+372 513 4743
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