The effects of climate change are readily visible in the Great Lakes. Although water levels and temperatures naturally vary, the shifts we have seen recently have been extreme. We have had record-breaking flooding and heat waves, which pose a great threat to our public and environmental health. These conditions make it that much easier for debris to get washed down into the Great Lakes.
Every year more than 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes, and that number is likely to grow even higher considering that plastic production is expected to quadruple in the next ten years. This increase in plastic production, paired with the extreme weather shifts we are seeing, make this year’s September Adopt-a-Beach™ campaign more important than ever.
Volunteers who participate in September Adopt-a-Beach™ not only remove debris; they also record their findings to help further education and guide decision-making. Tackling litter and plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is no small task, but together we can make a difference. Last year, more than 14,000 volunteers picked up over 18 tons of litter as part of 900 cleanups around the region. 87% of the litter found was plastic.
Please consider joining our annual September Adopt-a-Beach™ campaign on September 21st*. September Adopt-a-Beach is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, so you’ll be joining millions of people caring for their local shorelines all over the world. You can sign-up as a team leader or join an existing beach cleanup by visiting www.greatlakesadopt.org. If you have questions or need help registering please don’t hesitate to contact us at adoptabeach@greatlakes.org. Hope to see you on the beach!
*Note: Although this event is scheduled for September 21st, dates and times are flexible.
