“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever”- Kofi Annan. TransJamaican Highway Limited and JIO (referred to as TransJam Group) celebrated International Coastal Clean Up Day at the Port Henderson Beach in Portmore, St Catherine on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
International Coastal Clean Up Day is a global event which aims to:
- Remove trash and debris from coastlines, waterways, and surrounding areas.
- Raise awareness about marine pollution, its impact on the environment and human health.
- Promote community involvement and inspire individuals to take action
Oceans provide 50- 85% of Earth’s oxygen and absorb 25% of CO2 emissions. Ocean pollution exacerbates climate change as plastic pollution impacts the ocean’s ability to produce oxygen and capture carbon dioxide. In addition, marine life often mistake plastic for food which disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems and spreads toxic chemicals through the food chain.
As part of our corporate responsibility, the TransJam Group strives to protect and preserve the environment through sustainable practices and engages in initiatives that support this mission. The International Beach Clean Up is one such initiative. The members of staff, subcontractors, and relatives of both were all eager to join in the movement to protect our coastlines and by extension our ecosystems, climate, and communities.
We’re excited to continue supporting and participating in similar initiatives that promote social responsibility and create a sea of change for a cleaner environment.
References
- Safeguarding Marine Ecosystems and Communities, Environmental and Social Impact (2024) The Ocean Cleanup https://theoceancleanup.com/environmental-and-social-impact/ (retrieved September 26, 2024)
- How much oxygen comes from the ocean? (n.d.) National Oceanic Service https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-oxygen.html (retrieved September 26, 2024)
- The ocean – the world’s greatest ally against climate change (n.d.) United Nations https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean#:~:text=The%20ocean%20generates%2050%20percent,the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change. (retrieved September 26, 2024)
