Running for the Oceans- Goals 14 and 17

Meet Helena, a student from Barcelona who is part of an organisation called AIESEC, helping to develop and empower young individuals offering life-changing experiences abroad through volunteering opportunities. Helena shares with us today her recent experience in an event dedicated to the promotion of sport and sustainability, #RunfortheOceans, a campaign launched by Adidas in an event celebrated all around the world to raise awareness of plastic pollution through sport. Her story is linked to Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Protecting Life On Water) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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Run for the Oceans is a global movement that uses the power of running to fight against the pollution caused by the enormous amount of plastic that ends up on the oceans.

The oceans are the biggest ecosystems we have. They contain millions of species and produce half of the oxygen we breathe. Unfortunately, we have made from it the ecosystem more endangered, polluted by plastic waste. Every year, 8 tones of plastic end up in our oceans. Scientists say that in 2050 there will be more plastic than fishes in the sea.

Pictured the Run for the Oceans event in Barcelona, Spain.

During the first weeks of June, all runners of the world will be able to register the kilometres using the apps Runtastic and Joyrun they do, and for every kilometre Adidas will give one dollar to the project Parley Ocean School, which is in charge of educating the youth and children about how to face the problem of plastic in the oceans. 

Helena and her friends at the Run for the Oceans event in Barcelona in the month of June.

I had the chance to assist to an event the 14th of June in Barcelona, where all the runners followed a route of 7 kilometers, some of them along the coast, and ended up in a concert to raise awareness of the concert. It was an amazing experience and I encourage everyone, runners and not runners, to get out from your houses and run a little bit to participate to the cause!

Helena and her friends, wearing their #RunfortheOceans t-shirts at the event in Barcelona.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE EVERY DAY

-Avoid plastic bags, use clothing bags

-Avoid balloons

-Avoid unnecessary packages, discover zero waste shops and local markets in your city

-Be responsible in your purchases, search for new shops and sustainable companies

-replace your plastic bottle

-Investigate and join local movements and communities for a change