CLEAN UP THE MED 24-25-26-May 2013

20° Edition Dear friends, We are pleased to invite you to join the Clean Up the Med 2013 Campaign to once again reinforce our common commitment to safeguard the Mediterranean environment, place of union and mean to let people circulate. Since 1995 thousands of organizations and hundreds thousands of people have been involved! This year’s edition want to analyse and underline t he urgent issue of “environmental refugees” that is growing up in front of the dramatic indifferenc e of global political scene. All around the world entire populations are forced from climate change, lack of natural resources and calamities, to move from their homelands, in search of a safe and productive place, most of times without any guarantee and support from international institutions. Lack of water, desertification, loss of biodiversity, industrial colonialism, exploitation of natural resources and the consequent pollution. People are obliged to abandon their lands to move anywhere they can find another opportunity to live with dignity. In May 2013, we will be on Med beaches and coasts to clean them up from litter of any sort which plagues both urban coasts and marine reserves alike. The rubbish that accumulates on the seabed, on beaches and on most coastlines around the Mediterranean is generated by wrong human activities and the main aim of our Campaign is to raise awareness and educate as well as physically remove waste pollution. NGOs, municipalities, schools classes and volunteer’s teams are invited to organize activities during the week-end of the Clean Up the Med: 24th – 25th -26th of May 2013 . The activity can be of different nature and aimed at involving and aware citizens. You could realize an:

• Information Point: where citizens can be informed and receive ecological awareness information from you • A Beach clean up : an activity of cleaning made of volunteering friends during which citizens of all ages

commit themselves to remove as much litter as possible from both popular seaside places and sensitive marine reserves. It would be useful to organize it in the centre of the village.

• An Excursion : guided tour can be organised to visit places on the coast with a high natural value, to show the importance of conservation and safeguard of spots crucial for the survival of Mediterranean endemic species.

To participate is simple and free: send the followi ng participation form before the 15 st of APRIL 2013:

• by e-mail ( cleanupmed@festambiente.it) • or by fax (0039 0564 487740)

We will send you a colourful brochure which can be used as poster or information material (english and french) Please write the correct address where we can send the material (NO PO BOX). You can contact us for any further information: e-mail: cleanupmed@festambiente.it

• tel.: +39 0564 48771 • fax: +39 0564 487740 • post: Clean Up the Med – LEGAMBIENTE

Mediterranean Observatory Loc. Enaoli – 58100 Rispescia – Gr – Italy Friendly yours, Michela Presta, Valentina Mazzarelli