Leave only your footprints
Leave only your footprints
Before you fold your parasol, pack the wicker basket, roll up the beach mat and dust the sand off your clothes, look what you are leaving behind.
Leftovers from your beach picnic, especially items like plastic bags and soft drink cans, are litter that can be a threat to birds, reptiles and marine life.
The United Nations Environment Programme (Worldwide) calculated that there are 13,000 pieces of plastic litter per square kilometre of the world's oceans.
This threat of pollution, habitat destruction and climate change has goaded environmentalists to act, and led to various clean-up campaigns to protect and preserve the environment.
A survey conducted this year by The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) revealed that significant amounts of debris including plastic, wooden pieces and discarded rope were recovered during various clean-up campaigns in the UAE.
Recently 4,500 people picked trash from desert and beach areas in the first nationwide Clean Up UAE Day, which was held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.
Here are some suggestions by the EAD:
- Discard litter in garbage bins, even if it belongs to someone else.
- Do not drive your car on the shore because you may trample on bird and turtle eggs.
- Adhere to fishing regulations; do not use illegal ways to fish. And always clean up after fishing.
- Alert authorities when you find marine debris on the shore or if you discover any oil leaks or an oil spill in the sea.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
