South Korea is celebrating Earth Day with a climate change awareness campaign

SEOUL, April 22 (Korea Bizwire) – Every April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day, often referred to as the ‘planet’s birthday’.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, which was established in 1969 after a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, sparked environmental concerns in the United States.

The incident spurred the passage of major environmental legislation in the US, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and hazardous materials laws.

In South Korea, Climate Change Awareness Week has been celebrated around Earth Day since 2009.

The Ministry of the Environment announced on April 19 that the 16th edition will take place from April 22 to 28 under the theme “Our carbon-neutral lifestyle, a welcome advantage!” – making it clear that pursuing carbon neutrality not only protects the planet, but also brings benefits.

The weeklong campaign kicks off on April 22 with an opening ceremony at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district, featuring exhibitions of youth climate and environmental videos, lectures by prominent figures advocating carbon neutrality, and celebratory events organized by local governments in the entire country.

Notable speakers include art director Hwang Jaeyeon, author Lee Dong-young, professor Ahn Young-hwan of Sookmyung Women’s University and director Hwang Seongphil. Hwang, a Cannes Lions Award winner, recently turned heads with his election campaign uniforms made from discarded political party banners ahead of South Korea’s April 10 local elections.

A packed program includes policy discussions on green ODA, an international forum on climate change adaptation and expert meetings on cross-cutting technologies for carbon neutrality.

New participating institutions and companies will also sign agreements to join the government’s carbon neutral points system.

On Earth Day itself, lights will be turned off for 10 minutes from 8 p.m. at government complexes in Sejong, Seoul and Gwacheon; public facilities nationally; sights such as Sungnyemun Gate, Gwangan Bridge and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress; and commercial buildings such as those of Woori Bank.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the 2020 lights-out event reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 53 tonnes – equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed annually by 3,000 30-year-old pine trees.

It also saved 107,603 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is approximately equivalent to the daily energy consumption of four thousand people, based on South Korea’s annual per capita consumption of 9,826 kWh that year.

Image credits: Yonhap, Chungju City, Suwon City / [email protected]