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Combat Sea Pollution By Running Around Malta And Become Part Of The #WaveOfChange

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There’s a new way of raising awareness about sea pollution in Malta, and it involves a whole lot of running.

The Run the #WaveOfChange initiative has been launched to help raise awareness locally about the current environmental issue of plastic pollution. The campaign seeks to encourage people to collect waste – which would eventually end up in the sea – and will culminate in three long-distance runs around the Maltese Islands between March and May 2019.

The initiative was launched by long-distance running partners Trudy Kerr and Deborah Gatt, branching off from the successful existing environmental awareness campaign #WaveOfChange.

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The campaign took social media by storm earlier this year, when founder Neil Agius swam 70 km around Malta in under 22 hours, showing how serious the issue had become

Earlier this year, three Maltese men had embarked on a record-breaking, non-stop swim around the entire island for #WaveOfChange.

Richard Zerafa, Gilbert Bartolo and Neil Agius took to the insane 70-kilometre swim, with Neil eventually managing to finish the entire, gruelling challenge.

Now, Trudy and Deborah will be running the entire 126 km coastline of Malta – equivalent to three back-to-back marathons – through on-going clean-ups organised in multiple locations along the route. They will also be running a 50km route in Gozo, and a 10km run and clean-up around Comino.

Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, has endorsed the initiative and commended Ms Kerr and Ms Gatt for their forthcoming efforts to tackle environmental issues.

“The people of the Maltese Islands have always had a close relationship with the Mediterranean Sea. We are maritime nation, and this bond is an intrinsic part of our culture and historical heritage. Goal Number 14 of the United Nations Agenda 2030 commits each and every one of us to do our best to conserve our oceans and seas. It is our duty to ensure that the seas are protected and conserved, for the benefit of both present and future generations,” said President Coleiro Preca.

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Running groups and individuals will be encouraged to join for parts of the run or the full distance

The organisers invite not only runners, but also members of the public and environmental groups to join the cause. The campaign will also welcome corporations, who will be able to sponsor clean-up destinations, where several long training runs – which will incorporate the Malta Marathon and other key races – will end.

According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, about 8 million metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually. The majority of these have amalgamated into an estimated six or garbage patches, with the smallest one measuring at 8200 times the size of Malta. The most common pollutants include plastic bags, fishing gear, and food and beverage containers, which never fully degrade in the water.

The amount of rubbish in international waters has posed serious risks for the planet, with the probability of fish becoming extinct by the year 2050. The #WaveOfChange campaign has localised the issue to raise awareness and inspire locals to take action against the global issue that has a terrible impact on every country and individual, including in Malta.

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Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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