Queen Sofia took part this Saturday in San Javier in the ‘1m2 for beaches and seas’ campaign, an initiative organised by the LIBERA Project of SEO/BirdLife, in alliance with Ecoembes. The monarch was accompanied by the Regional Minister for the Environment, Universities, Research and the Mar Menor, Juan María Vázquez.
This is the seventh time that Queen Sofia, through her Foundation, has shown her support for this project in her fight against littering, which this year has its starting point at La Caleta del Estacio beach in San Javier.
This citizen science campaign belonging to the LIBERA Project, of SEO/BirdLife in alliance with Ecoembes, aims to fight against litter in marine environments, as well as to keep the coast and seas free of waste. Its seventh edition debuts today, coinciding with World Beaches Day, and will take place until 24 September at 302 locations throughout Spain.
“The scientific community and the international community agree in their warning call about the serious impacts of littering on the environment. We would like to express our appreciation for the efforts of SEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes in carrying out the outstanding LIBERA campaign. The impact of litter on wildlife is a widely studied issue, and the evidence to support this concern is irrefutable. We cannot overlook the importance of tackling this problem in the marine environment as well,” said Councillor Juan María Vázquez, who was accompanied on this occasion by the Director General for the Natural Environment, María Cruz Ferreira.
As in previous years, Queen Sofia, through its Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against litter, especially after the summer period, when beaches and seabeds are most at risk. Last year, thanks to the collaboration of more than 6,000 volunteers, seven tonnes of waste were collected in this same initiative.
“We have data indicating that approximately 17 percent of the species affected by litter are on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Therefore, campaigns like LIBERA are of utmost importance and necessity to raise awareness and promote care for the environment,” the councillor emphasised.
