Number 63 Beach gets facelift
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, September 23, 2018
About thirty volunteers descended to the Number 63 Beach on the morning of Saturday to join in a cleanup exercise in observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day which was observed on September 15.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), National Coordinator for Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), Guyana who spearheaded the exercise Keifer Jackson said the team was able to remove more than 80 pounds of garbage from a section of the beach.
She urged persons using the beach to be more responsible and reduce the use of single-use plastic.
“Collect your garbage, if it is that you are going for a picnic, use re-usable items as opposed to disposable or ensure you have your garbage bags because at the end of the day this is our environment and misuse has a harmful impact on ourselves, health and our way of living”.
She added placement of garbage bins on the stretch of beach will help to minimise the effects of litter on the coastline and called on the community and other stakeholders to take up the initiative.
Meanwhile, among the volunteers was Final Year Biology Student Andre Surendre who noted that people should learn the steps they can take to eliminate the impact garbage has on the environment. “Having a background in biology, I know about the short- and long-term outcome of pollution. Everyday plastic bags that people would throw out, get into the waterways and turtles would mistake them for jellyfishes, eat them and suffocate”.
Surendre outlined ways in which everyone can help in the reduction of pollution. These include; Reduce Your Use of Single-Use Plastics. Recycle Properly, Participate In (or Organise) a Beach or River Cleanup, stay informed on issues related to plastic pollution and help make others aware of the problem.
Volunteers from the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam, University of Guyana Berbice Campus, Youth Arm of the Chamber of Commerce were part of the exercise.
Story and Images: Nafeeza Yayah-Sakur