The Environmental Safety Group, along with several other partners, are once again supporting one of the world’s largest environmental campaigns, Clean Up the World, to help make a difference to the environment in Gibraltar and to the health of the planet as well.

The local campaign will join an estimated 35 million volunteers from 110 countries across the globe. Gibraltar’s fourth participation will see well over 400 volunteers from 20 different organisations, schools, services and businesses.

During the Clean up the World weekend several areas around Gibraltar will be targeted with teams picking up tons of discarded rubbish. Areas will once again be transformed and will include action from underwater and abseiling teams. This widespread clean up will send a strong message to both the community and to Government that our natural spaces are of value to our community.

In this fourth local campaign it’s clear that solutions must be found to address this pattern of chronic littering and fly tipping in our culture. CUTW organisers believe that a dedicated environmental park and litter wardens are urgently needed. This, together with increased enforcement and policing measures, should be deployed without further delay.

To promote the issues highlighted in this campaign, the ESG has once again organised a parade and exhibition for the Saturday morning starting off at Casemates at 11.00am. The parade will include several schools and some CUTW teams and will end up at the John Mackintosh Square. Artwork from some of our schools, and information panels will be on display supported by stalls from other NGOs and green services. Information on the clean ups, the areas and teams will also feature bringing the issues to life and highlighting why the campaign is still as necessary today as it was in 2005 when Gibraltar first participated in this global campaign. Local musicians will also provide some sounds.

The programme at the square will include prize giving for the highly successful “Use the Bins Poster Competition” with over 480 entries from schools, as well as special Environmental Awards handed out to those making a sustained contribution towards our environment. It is hoped that the Minister for the Environment, the Ombudsman and the Mayor of Gibraltar will
be present.

The event will draw to a close between 12 to 12.30.