Covid 19 – Lockdowns, air, land and sea traffic came almost to a halt, the cities went silent. The world went silent. What was the effect of this sudden change on the environment?
Students at Saint Nicholas College Secondary School Ħad-Dingli have been investigating the effect of Covid-19 on the environment. Lockdowns and teleworking may be having some positive impacts on our environment. Between 1st January and 2nd March of 2020, the European Space Agency observed a marked decline in nitrous oxide emissions from cars, powerplants and factories in the Po Valley in northern Italy. Areas in the North of India such as Jalandhar and the Himalayas became visible again for the first time in decades as air quality improved. Rivers around the world, including the Ganges in India, became cleaner during the first lockdown period in 2020.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting rid of the masks any time soon. What has this got to do with litter? The use of disposable masks has escalated since the appearance of Covid 19. Most of the 8 billion global population are wearing masks. Thinking about the problems created by the dumping of these disposable masks can be saddening to say the least. But there is an alternative. The least we can do is to wear safe, reusable masks and at the same time we would be taking care of the environment! Less trash means a safer environment for us all! Make the swap and save the planet!
Students at Saint Nicholas College Secondary School Ħad-Dingli have been investigating the effect of Covid-19 on the environment. Lockdowns and teleworking may be having some positive impacts on our environment. On the other hand, the use of disposal PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has increased, creating a waste problem. At St Nicholas College Secondary School we believe that each and every one of us is responsible for conserving the environment so each and every one of us needs to act and take an active role to protect it. No use pointing fingers at other institutions – we need to take responsibility for our actions. So we decided to take action and promote the use of safe reusable masks both at school and in our community. We decided to encourage students to trash disposable masks and use reusable masks that follow WHO safety criteria. This is how the campaign My Mask – I Care came about.
What does the campaign involve?
· Students researched the impact of Covid 19 on the environment and presented their findings during school assemblies.
· A facebook challenge was created encouraging students, parents and friends to post photos of their reusable masks. The challenge is available on the school facebook page and was shared on the facebook pages of the local councils of Ħad-Dingli and Ħ’Attard in order to spread the message among our community.
· A campaign video was created and submitted for UNESCO and FEE’s Trash Hack campaign.
· Safe reusable masks following WHO’s safety standards are being sewn and will be given to students. This was possible with the collaboration of the local councils of Ħ’Attard and Ħad-Dingli
As part of the Litterless Campaign, Yr 6 students at St.Nicholas College, Dingli Primary School, sent an email to the Minister for Education and Employment, Hon. Dr Justyne Caruana and Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, Hon. Dr Aaron Farrugia. In their email, the students talked about the survey they had carried out at school regarding the Breakfast Club. They had investigated and assessed the type of food that is not being eaten and why, and also how much food is being wasted. Their findings were discussed and recommendations were planned. Through their email, the students proposed realistic solutions to the authorities with the aim of raising awareness amongst other schools too. #litterlesscampaign.
On 31st October 2019, eight EkoSkola members from Dingli Primary School witnessed the release of Janis, the twelve-year-old loggerhead turtle that had been found entangled in marine debris during last February’s storm. The turtle was released back into the sea at Ġnejna Bay. Continue reading →