On June 25, 2023, ASEZ teamed up with Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and the Norwalk Police Department to clean up Veteran’s Memorial Park and Marina. As a result, they collected 23 bags of trash, which contained various plastics, debris, crates and more.
This cleanup was part of the ASEZ Blue Carbon (ABC) Movement, which focuses on maintaining coastal and marine ecosystems. Throughout the month of June, ASEZ members took part in shoreline cleanups to honor the ABC movement and World Environment Day.
Blue carbon has become a major topic of discussion for world leaders. Blue carbon refers to the life under water that absorbs twice the amount of carbon compared to life on land. By maintaining these ecosystems, underwater life can absorb more carbon and help reduce the increasing rate of global warming.
A Committed Community
Mayor Harry Rilling and the Norwalk Officers were happy to support ASEZ volunteer efforts. Recognizing the fragile state of the earth, the Mayor expressed, “The damage is not irreversible, we can change that. We need to be relying on the earth more than we do. The earth provides everything that we could possibly need.” To prove his commitment to the community, Mayor Rilling also signed an Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Brandon Johnson, ASEZ volunteer and student at Housatonic Community College, attended the shoreline cleanup. He expressed, “Overall, it is a great opportunity for the youth to take part in helping our community and our planet. To participate in leaving behind a better community and earth for the next generation is something I am proud to be a part of.”
ASEZ volunteers will join Norwalk leaders, positively impacting the environment and advancing sustainability. To see more ASEZ volunteer activities in Connecticut, please click here.
4 Responses
The ASEZ Blue Carbon Cleanup along with many other cleanups ASEZ has done and still are doing are so critical to the environment, Because nothing can live with out LOVE. If we neglect the things around us nothing will live things will start to wither/die this may be harsh but its true. It is as a fish needing water to survive, the water is its OXYGEN without it will it live? All it takes is just 1 more step to help improve life, thanks to ASEZ Volunteers displaying such love and devotion we can be certain things will go as planned.
I remember this day. This was amazing to be apart of the college student clean ups in an area close to where I reside. Seeing the impact from small acts of everyday life shows how simple it is for us to change the world when we come together taking care of the little things. It makes me proud to have met such a group of individuals who consider those around them while living in this world.
I was a former resident of Norwalk for more than 10 years and frequently visited Veterans Park. It was wonderful opportunity to volunteer in the cleanup of a place where i grew up as child and made many fond memories. By removing waste, I hope many more residents will be able to enjoy and frequent the park.
ASEZ Blue Carbon movement was an amazing event. As we are able to help the ecosystem and improve life for others. Even though it was a small thing it has a great impact. I’m thankful that I was able to participate.