SEOUL, Apr. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – Every April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day, often referred to as the “birthday of the planet.”
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 raised environmental concerns in the United States.
The incident catalyzed the enactment of major environmental legislation in the U.S, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and laws governing hazardous substances.
In South Korea, Climate Change Awareness Week has been observed around Earth Day since 2009.
The Ministry of Environment announced on April 19 that the 16th edition will run from April 22 to 28 under the theme “Our Carbon Neutrality Lifestyle, A Welcome Benefit!” – conveying that pursuing carbon neutrality not only protects the planet but also brings advantages.
The weeklong campaign kicks off on April 22 with an opening ceremony at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district, featuring exhibits of climate and environmental videos by youth, lectures by prominent figures advocating carbon neutrality, and celebratory events organized by local governments nationwide.
Notable speakers include art director Hwang Jaeyeon, author Lee Dong-young, Sookmyung Women’s University professor Ahn Young-hwan, and director Hwang Seongphil. Hwang, a Cannes Lions award winner, recently garnered attention for his election campaign uniforms made from discarded political party banners ahead of South Korea’s April 10 local elections.
A packed schedule includes policy discussions on green official development assistance, an international forum on climate change adaptation, and expert meetings on cross-cutting carbon neutrality technologies.
New participating institutions and companies will also sign agreements to join the government’s carbon neutral point system.
On Earth Day itself, lights will be turned off for 10 minutes starting at 8 p.m. at government complexes in Sejong, Seoul and Gwacheon; public facilities nationwide; landmarks like Sungnyemun Gate, Gwangan Bridge and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress; and corporate buildings like those of Woori Bank.
According to the environment ministry, the 2020 lights-out event reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 53 tons – 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, roughly matching four thousand people’s daily power consumption based on South Korea’s per capita annual usage of 9,826 kWh that year.
Image credit: Yonhap, Chungju City, Suwon City / photonews@koreabizwire.com
