Hundreds of volunteers have gathered for three plastic pollution clean-ups in the Russian Arctic.
Norwegian and Russian youths took part in today's event in the Murmansk Sea area together with a UN Environment official.
More than eight million tonnes of plastic leaks into the oceans each year - equivalent to one rubbish truck of plastic per minute. This wrecks havoc on wildlife, marine fisheries and tourism. Currents bring much of this waste to the Arctic, which is already highly sensitive to climate change, among other environmental threats.
Mahir Aliyev, Regional Coordinator at UN Environment's Europe Office, rolled up his sleeves to take part in today's clean-up.
"Today I have seen plastic bottles that could have been thrown away from as far away as Europe. We can all take action - no matter how local - to take care of our planet and make a difference. I fully commend this initiative by the Slava Foundation, and hope it can inspire people to make their own pledge to fight pollution ahead of December's Environment Assembly," he underlined.
During the previous two such events at Monchegorsk Lake and Nikel City river, two tons of plastic were taken from what is one of the most remote and pristine parts of the world.
UN Environment's Clean Seas campaign is working with governments and businesses to eliminate microplastic by 2020 and to tackle production and use of other single-use plastics.
Meanwhile, on 4-6 December, governments and stakeholders will gather for the third Environment Assembly - the world's highest decision-making body on the environment - to agree on actions to tackle all forms of pollution. You can join the movement by organising or joining a local clean-up or by clicking here to make your pledge towards beating pollution.
Read more about the UN Environment Assembly here and for more information contact mahir.aliyev@unenvironment.org
