International Mediterranean Day

The lives of its species and the humanity that passes through it affect us

The Mare Nostrum remains one of the most threatened places on the entire planet, mainly due to the presence of thousands of rubbish that settle there every year, putting biodiversity at risk.  But for nearly a decade, the Mediterranean has also become Mare Mostrum because of the deaths of migrants trying to reach a cynical Europe that continues to reject them in inhuman ways.

For the fate of migrants, the year 2023 is the worst: it ended with 2,346 people dead in the central Mediterranean, according to IOM (International Organization for Migration) reports, 2,571 according to a note from Doctors Without Borders. A count that doesn’t stop, that of people losing their lives in the Mediterranean, some recovered, others forever missing – 28,667 in the Mediterranean since 2014, IOM reports -, others still not even registered. Because the count continues to be rough, often based on the accounts of those who managed to survive instead, (Source:www.nigrizia.it).

Photo:www.globalist.it

Photo: www.eso.it

“Italy, Egypt and Turkey dump half of the plastic polluting the Mediterranean into the sea. In the next 20 years the tonnes of waste in the water could double’.  The rubbish comes mainly from rivers. From the Nile alone comes 25% of the polluting waste. The alarm comes from the report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is based on the main scientific studies conducted in recent years on the state of health of the Mare Nostrum of the Latins. The study analyses estimates of plastic waste from 33 countries in the Mediterranean basin. The sad record of the three riparian states is due to the fact that the three countries have “large amounts of poorly managed waste”, the report points out, “in addition to a high coastal population”. (Source: https:europa.today.it).

LET’S PROTECT THE MEDITERRANEAN: 

• LET’S RECYCLE PLASTIC

The primary cause of pollution of the seas is plastic. It is estimated that there are between 3 and 11 million tonnes of this material in the sea bed. To protect the waters, it is therefore necessary to avoid using single-use plastic products and to recycle the materials. We prefer reusable bags 

• WE KEEP BEACHES CLEAN

Like plastic, cigarette butts end up in the sea and, in particular, cigarette filters contain chemical compounds that are lethal to marine life… not to mention the rubbish we leave in the sand: it inevitably ends up in the sea 

• WE PREFER LOCAL FISH

Intensive fishing is one of the main causes of the destruction of marine ecosystems.  To avoid the extinction of many species, let us consume local and sustainably caught fish.

LET’S TRANSFORM OUR LIFESTYLES 

• WE BECOME CREDIBLE

By living with respect for the rights of nature and man, according to the Founders’ Charism 

• WE PUT COURAGE INTO CIRCULATION

The future is complex and invites us to build bridges between people, groups and institutions moving through situations of uncertainty, precariousness and widespread fears. Let us not let hope be stolen from us! 

• LET US INTEGRATE

Let us listen to the pain that runs through the existential peripheries and find responsible and engaging responses to characterise our Good Shepherd style