On Saturday, June 6th, as part of the "Zero Marine Debris Campaign" promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and the Nippon Foundation, a volunteer activity (mass cleanup) was conducted at Shikanoshima Beach (Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City).
This activity was carried out as a community service initiative to improve the local coastal environment before the opening of the beach season. It is also linked to Fukuoka City's marine debris reduction measures and is an effort to conserve the environment in cooperation with local communities and related organizations. On the day of the event, approximately 200 students and faculty members participated in sorting and collecting the debris that had washed ashore on the beach.
The participating students underwent pre-training to deepen their understanding of the current state of marine debris and the characteristics of washed-up waste, as well as learning about its impact on fisheries and tourism, before participating in the cleanup activity.
On the day of the event, after receiving greetings from Chief Priest Azumi of Shikaumi Shrine, the students conducted a beach cleanup in a concentrated effort for about an hour. Each student took on their own role and collected approximately 100 bags of trash.
One of the participating students, Mina Yamamoto (Nakamura Gakuen High School), a second-year student in Department of Regional Development Faculty of Collaborative Regional Development at the Faculty of Regional Co-creation, said, "During the pre-training, I began to think of marine debris as a problem that is close to home. I feel a sense of accomplishment from actually picking up trash and seeing the beach become cleaner. I would be happy if I could give back even a little to Shikanoshima, which I love, as a token of my gratitude."
Our university will continue to promote practical activities aimed at environmental conservation and solving social issues, in collaboration with local communities and municipalities.
[Student Department]
