Israeli volunteers joined others worldwide on November 1st, in an international movement to “clean up” our environmental act.
The 11th annual International Cleanup Day activities in Israel, which took place on November 1st, were attended by 204 regional Israeli councils, 260,000 volunteers, environmental VIPs, and one solar powered taxi (driven by Swiss inventor Louis Palmer who is driving across the globe in his eco-friendly vehicle). The Cleanup Day was also observed by 40 million other people in 120 countries, who all set out to raise environmental awareness and, well, clean up.
KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzier, who attended the Cleanup Day ceremony in Ben Shemen Forest, said that “volunteers who participate in Cleanup Day are from all sectors and religions. Our message is clear and simple. If we are capable of cleaning up the forest, we can guarantee that the whole country will be cleaner. It depends on each and every one of us.”
Cleanup Day has been observed several times in Israel already, but this year was a little bit different. Instead of just collecting trash, this year it was also sorted for recycling purposes. Volunteers were able to recycle paper, plastic, and organic waste.
The main clean up event took place in Ben Shemen forest, with the participation of 700 schoolchildren, volunteers, and soldiers. Other clean up events took place all over the country, though, in places such as Tel Hadid, Givatayim, and Yavne.
The volunteers at Ben Shemen forest also had the unique opportunity to see Louis Palmer and his solar powered taxi, which has already traveled 60,000 kilometers without a drop of fuel. “My aim,” said Palmer, “is to show millions of people all over the world that we don’t need fuel. It is an excellent solution for the future, and I hope that in another few years we will all be driving cars like this one.”
Toby Perry of KKL-JNF said that Cleanup Day is “when you can get out of the office and get connected to the forest. It is the best way to give a personal example and demonstrate to the public that it is important to clean up.”
Read more about other Middle Eastern clean up activities::
Israeli Activists Urge Pope To Help Clean Up Jordan River
Segway “Police” Achieve Fame for UAE Corniche Cleanup
25,000 Litter-Busters To Clean Up Dubai October 26
Image via: Sascha Emi
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
