In the presence of Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta signed the "charta smeralda" at the Naval Academy of Livorno
The conference on the protection of the marine ecosystem "Preserving the sea: en route to the acquisition of a plastic-free mentality" was held yesterday at the Naval Academy in Livorno in the presence of the Minister of Defense, Elisabetta Trenta, and the Head of State Major of the Navy, team admiral Valter Girardelli.
Organized annually by the Naval Academy and promoted as part of the activities of the International Sailing Week Naval Academy and City of Livorno, currently underway in the Lombardy capital, the conference emphasized the issue of protecting the marine ecosystem, which sees the Navy at the forefront, committed to promoting virtuous behavior and "good practices", such as the ban on single-use plastics, ahead of the dictates of the European directive.
To open the work, Admiral Girardelli confirmed that: "For several years, thanks to the intrinsic dual connotation of the maritime instrument, the Navy has implemented concrete actions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its activities on the marine ecosystem ". After citing the collaboration with the US navy in the experimentation on the use of non-fossil bio-fuels on board of naval and submersible units, he recalled how: “It is precisely the Code of the Military Order that assigns surveillance to the Navy for the prevention of pollution of marine waters from hydrocarbons and other harmful substances in the marine environment, as well as ascertaining infringements of the relevant regulations. The biggest challenge we are called to face for the future will be the promotion of a culture that respects the sea, by every single citizen. "
The Minister of Defense, Elisabetta Trenta, underlined how with her strategic and central position “Italy represents a strategic hub for the whole of Europe with its port system that allows an effective interconnection with the countries of the southern shore and those of the south-east Europe. "
"The great timeliness of the pollution from plastic waste that is dispersed in the marine environment makes us aware of the fact that the damages produced go well beyond what can be appreciated visually. Plastics and microplastics strongly pollute the environment because they are able, among other things, to enter the food chain directly. In this context, as evidence of the renewed sensitivity towards environmental issues, the Defense wants to anticipate the legal obligations envisaged and become plastic-free in the shortest time allowed to concretely contribute to the reduction of waste containing non-biodegradable plastic and be an example for all ".
The Naval Academy of Livorno will be the first plastic-free military academy, with an official award given to Admiral Pierpaolo Ribuffo, commander of the historic training institute for Navy officers.
Subsequently the "Charta Smeralda" was presented and signed, a code of ethics promulgated for the preservation of the marine environment at the One Ocean Forum organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for its 50 anniversary.
Signatories, in addition to the Navy, the Municipality of Livorno and the Committee of Nautical Clubs of the Livorno coast.