On April 22nd, 2011, the Earth celebrated its 41st Earth Day. This day was founded due to a crude oil leakage in 1969, California, US, which led Senate Nelson to advocate the need for a designated day for the Earth to recall the Earth’s preciousness and its vulnerable nature. As a result, Dennis Hays, a Harvard student at the time, was chosen to declare the foundation of the Earth Day. Moreover, 20 million American citizens launched a campaign urging others to live environmental-friendly lifestyle. Since 1970, the Earth Day has officially become an internationally celebrated day for the sake of the Earth and its well being.

Picture of the first earth day, US, 1970/ picture by Google

 

Korea also celebrated the Earth day this year. One of the events was the ‘2011 Unplugged Concert’. It was held in the City Hall Oval, where hundreds of people brought their own musical instruments. However, the instruments had to be played ‘unplugged’ to electricity. The whole concert was very dimly lighted compared to typical concerts, but it was intended to save electricity. The electricity used during the entire concert was fulfilled by the power generator that citizens generated all day long. It was a very meaningful concert in many ways and gave people a refreshing jolt- that there were endeavors around to be found that anyone could contribute to save the earth.

 ‘2011 Unplugged Concert’ held in the City Hall Oval/ picture by the writer herself
 

These days, more and more students are getting interested in learning about the environment.  However, the endeavors are often short-termed or hard to reach by students. All in all, , students cannot make changes in the world only with their passion. But, some excellent programs are being organized to help students raise awareness about the environment through actions.

 

In Jungnang Youth Center, the ‘Environment Club’ was organized, consisting of high school to middle school students. It is supported by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. While many of the environment-related programs only last for several months at the most, this program is held throughout a year, emphasizing the importance of consistent care for the Earth. “Tuvalu”, it is called. The name is after a nation which is having problem with drowning underwater by the effects of the climate change.

'Tuvalu' environment club, in Jungnang Youth Center/ picture by the writer herself

The program has its unique and friendly approach towards studying current environmental problems: traveling and observing nature. It is different from any other environment related events – it is more than hard lectures, or hearings that only plea for people to think of environment because it is a moral issue. To describe its motto: ‘A good education is made with one fourth of theory and the other thirds of practice and application.’

What the world really needs is action, and mankind’s introspection towards their regrettable deeds/ picture by

Google

On April 9th, 2011, orientation for the club was held in Jungnang Youth Center by Park Cha Yong, the Team Manager for the project. He said, “Many of us do know there is an environmental problem, but we don’t know by heart why it is desperate and time sensitive.”

 Kim Mi Kyung, a mother of a male participant quoted, “It is an issue we all have to take in seriously. It may seem trivial when we act environmental-friendly out of pure love for the earth, but I believe my child should have his responsibility towards the world he would soon be in charge.”

 A female participant, Hong Ji Soo(15), “My dream is to become a veterinarian, and I have realized the number of species were decreasing because of human activities that are detrimental to ecology, consequently leading to climate change and environment destruction. I would like to realize the seriousness of current situation through experiences on the environmental front borders, because it seems it would never come to me when I am in my chairs. I want my children to know that the earth is a good place to live.”

 

It is a great scene to notice that many students believe environmental needs more than academic research and debate. What it really needs is action, and mankind’s introspection towards their regrettable deeds.


 

Thegogreenblog.com


April 22
nd, 2011 was the 41st Earth day. Earth Day is the day designated for raising the awareness of individuals and conglomerates all over the world about the importance of conservation and protection of our planet, Earth.


This day was founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and it is currently performed in 175 countries.
 
Unfortunately, despite the worldwide attention and attempts to lead nations to be more aware of environmental issues over the past decade, the Earth has always been in danger.

Effectsglobalwarming.blogspot



The U.S. Geological Survey Office affirmed that the reduction in sea ice in the Arctic can see a loss of 2/3rds of the entire word’s Polar Bear population over the next 50 years.

The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, stated that the 5 Great Lakes of the U.S and Canada are shrinking “at an alarming pace”.


Ifsw.org


24,000 people die each year from a water shortage in the Middle East according to the BBC.


Frequent natural disasters in the recent years and Japan earthquake tells the world that our mother nature is asking for our help.  


It is obvious that individuals’ participation in preserving the earth and continuous concern over the environment will have a positive impact on the Earth even tough their involvement can not resolve the environmental problems overnight.


Since 1970,  many countries have taken part in fostering people's participation by hosting a wide variety of events in every April.  South Korea has also annually held many different events to commemorate the Earth day.

From April 16th to 22nd, various Earth Day events took place, encouraging a lot of people to be informed about the importance of conserving the earth. For instance, the Presidential Committe ‘Green Growth Korea’ announced ‘Green Week’ and hosted many different events in Seoul Plaza, Seoul. ‘Green Land’ and ‘Green playground’ were set, where children could learn about current eco-friendly technologies and environmental issues by experiencing a wide variety of entertaining games and booths. Bicycle generator campaign was hosted; people together generated electricity by riding bicycles.

 
On top of this, on 22nd, ‘Unplugged Concert’ was held. No electronic devices or instruments were used in this concert. Participants brought their own instruments that are readily available in everyday life and played several songs together. A Korean male singer, Kim Jang Hoon, and a sing a song writer, Kim Hyun Chul were invited as guest-performers.

 

In addition, the 3rd The Aveda Walk for Water was held in cities all over the world during Earth Month to raise awareness about the water shortage problems around the world and fund for clean water in developing countries.

This year, the walk for water, annually held by Aveda Korea, took place in Cheonggye Plaza, Seoul  on April 23. 
Over hundreds of people came and participated in the walk for water in spite of cold weather. 

For this event, special guests came to join the walk.

 

(From the left) Choi Yeo Jin (model & actress) and Park Jin Hee (actress) came to take part in the walk. Sean, who is a member of a Korean hip-hop group, ‘Jinusean’ and well-known for his good deeds, also joined the walk for water.
 

Park Jin Hee said “Actually, we are not that aware of water shortage problems in South Korea. I think we, together need to put more efforts on saving the water in our daily life by spending less time in shower or reducing the intake of a surfactant which harms the environment.”

On this day, participants walked 6 kilometers which is the average distance that women in developing nations have to walk every day for clean water.
 

From these events, I learned that people have greater concern over the environment than I had expected.
On my way home after all the activities, it appeared to me that with people's consistent involvement and interest in environment, it is probable that our planet, which has been severely damaged by us over the past decade, will be gradually restored to its original condition and stay out of danger, posed by humans.

 


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