The ASEZ Blue Carbon (ABC) campaign, a global volunteer movement to protect coastal ecosystems, has reached Staten Island, NY. On Sunday, July 21, 2024, ASEZ university students came together for a cleanup of Mount Loretto Beach. University students, including those from the College of Staten Island (CSI), participated in this event to show importance of blue carbon in fighting climate change.
During the cleanup, volunteers collected over 25 bags of trash along half a mile of Mount Loretto Beach. They removed plastic caps, bags, bottles, and wrappers. Despite the hot weather, the students worked happily, sharing stories from previous volunteer events and encouraging each other. One local resident was moved to tears by their efforts, saying, “This is so beautiful, I’m crying,” as she watched the volunteers in action.
Protecting Our Beaches
Mount Loretto Beach is part of ongoing conservation efforts to protect its natural resources and ecosystems. Local organizations and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation work to preserve the beach’s unique habitats, like wetlands and coastal forests. These efforts include restoring native plants to help prevent erosion and support local wildlife. Community involvement is also important, with events like cleanups and educational programs to raise awareness about protecting the beach.
Leonora Marks, a psychology student at CSI and an ASEZ volunteer, shared her thoughts, saying, “As natural disasters like storms and flooding become more common, it’s important for us to be together as a community to preserve our oceans and the precious resources they provide.”
The ABC Movement focuses on raising awareness about blue carbon, which refers to the carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. ASEZ volunteers set up panels explaining how blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, play a crucial role in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
To view more ASEZ events, please click here.
