Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce, as part of the international project “ML REPAIR”, set up an exhibition called Plasticamente – Plastic (night) mare in City Center One in Split! Citizens had the exciting opportunity to explore what our seas look like below the surface, what is hidden in them and what impact do people leave on the marine ecosystem? Further in the text, we bring pictures from the exhibition.
The citizens of Rijeka, Dubrovnik and Zadar will get the same opportunity. The exhibition will be set up in Zadar next week and will last 2 weeks. In the City Galleria Center from January 22nd to February 5th 2019, every work day from 8 am to 9 pm, citizens of Zadar will be able to introduce their youngest to the dangers of plastic in the sea in an interactive way through research, play and art.
The exhibition brings interactive exhibits made of plastic, and the main goal is to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive consumption of single use plastic, as well as the ever-increasing need for adequate separation and disposal of plastic waste. It is estimated that about 80% of marine litter comes from land-based sources and activities, while about 20% of marine litter ends up as a result of (irresponsible) maritime traffic and fisheries. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), only 15% of marine litter floats on the sea surface; an additional 15% remains in the water column and 70% is on the seabed. Current estimates show that there are more than 150 million tons of plastic in the ocean today. If nothing changes, by 2025 the ocean will contain 1 tonne of plastic for every 3 tonnes of fish, and by 2050 the oceans could have more plastic than fish. Not to forget the increasing threat to marine and terrestrial ecosystems, but also human health, in the form of microplastics.
The exhibition is set up as part of the ML-REPAIR project. The overall goal of the ML-REPAIR project is to prevent and reduce waste input and dispersion in the Adriatic Sea. The project leader is CA ’Foscari Faculty, University of Venice, and the partners are the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), M.A.R.E. and LIMOSA from Italy and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Public Institution RERA S.D. for Coordination and Development of the Split-Dalmatia County and the Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce, Split.
In addition to setting up the exhibition, the Sunce will also organize educational workshops for primary school children in each of the mentioned cities. The educators of Sunce have designed a dynamic and inspiring educational program that aims to sensitize children to these problems. Through play and research, our youngest learn the most. In Zadar, applications are already closed, but all interested schools in Dubrovnik and Rijeka are free to contact Sunce and arrange possible visits.
An individual alone can help reduce the problem. Every time we go to the beach or near the sea, we need to be aware of the damage that accidentally stray pieces of plastic, bottles, ice cream wrappers, plastic bags, inflatable beds, glasses and items alike can cause to the marine ecosystem, and consequently to human health. Enjoy the beach, but also leave it clean. Every time you leave the beach, pick up a piece of waste whether it is yours or someone else’s!
Look at our exhibition on-line (available in Croatian only).