Under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme /Mediterranean Action Plan, the nationwide "Clean-Up the Med 2013" campaign, coordinated by the MedSOS in Greece, was launched in Athens on 24 April 2013. Among the participants to the event were representatives of the UNEP/MAP, academic institutions, the scientific community, national and local authorities, environmental NGOs, journalists and volunteers.
The launching focused on the presentation of the results derived from the special Observation Questionnaires that were completed by the volunteers between 2006 and 2012. Entitled “We take part in the solution for a litter-free environment”, the campaign will last until the 10th of June, and will include several cleaning activities.
This year marks the 18th anniversary year of the “Clean Up the Med” campaign. Over the last seven years, the campaign has mobilized more than 113.000 volunteers from 41 prefectures all over Greece to take action and vigorously claim their legal right to a healthy environment.
The participation of thousands of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, plays a significant role in raising public awareness on the issue of marine litter, fosters a sense of environmental responsibility and leads to the realization of a large-scale litter survey.
Additional Information
To participate in the campaign fill the online application form, which is available on the campaign’s website at www.medsoscleanup.gr. Activities are planned on Sunday 19 May in Agios Kosmas beach in Elliniko and Wednesday the 22 May in Palaio Faliro.
Sunday the 19th of May at 10:00 am various groups of volunteers will join in Agios Kosmas, including a team of divers that will perform an underwater clean up.
On 22 May at 9:00, the clean up in Palaio Faliro will take place as part of the celebrations for the EU Maritime Day 2013 with the participation of the project Perseus and schools of the area.
Both events are realized with the support of the local municipalities.
