World Cleanup Day began in Estonia in 2008 when 50,000 people came together to clean up waste in their local areas. Since then, it has grown into a global movement with millions of participants. Last year, 19 million people worldwide helped to clean up 219,000 tons of waste. For the first time, the UN has recognized World Cleanup Day on its calendar of significant days. This movement is mirrored in Australia with Cleanup Australia Day, which was started by Ian Kiernan 35 years ago. His daughter, Pip Keenan, now chairs the event. The act of cleaning up waste raises awareness about our environmental impact, especially regarding plastic pollution . Plastic waste is a significant issue , as it takes hundreds of years to degrade and often turns into harmful microplastics that damage ecosystems. Around 130,000 tons of plastic end up in Australian waters each year, with worse situations abroad. Experts argue that governments and businesses need to collaborate on better waste management practices to combat this global crisis. Pollution knows no borders , so action must be taken globally.
Vocabulary :
• rubbish (noun): waste material or things thrown away.
• waste (noun): materials not needed and thrown away.
• cleanup (noun): the act of making a place clean.
• impact (noun): a strong effect.
• harbour (noun): a sheltered area for boats.
• ecosystem (noun): a system formed by interacting organisms and their environment.
• packaging (noun): materials used to wrap or protect goods.
• microplastic (noun): very small pieces of plastic that come from larger plastic items.
• pollution (noun): harmful substances introduced into the environment.
• litter (noun): trash left in public places.
• wildlife (noun): animals living in their natural environment.