5th ASEZ WAO Street Campaign

According to a report by the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), last year saw the largest increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in 65 years of observations. Among the six major greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming and contribute to global boiling, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane are now over 50% and 160% higher, respectively, compared with pre-industrial levels, accelerating the Earth’s warming.

On April 14, ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, conducted the 5th ASEZ WAO Street Campaign as part of the “Mother’s Forest” project. This initiative aims to plant 8 billion trees—one for each person on Earth—to help reduce greenhouse gases. In the lead-up to Earth Day (April 22), around 60 ASEZ WAO activists held campaigns at Seoul Plaza, Wirye Central Square in Seongnam, and Busan Eurasia Platform. Their goal was to highlight the benefits of tree planting in reducing greenhouse gases, raise environmental awareness among citizens, and encourage voluntary efforts to protect the environment.

At the Seoul Plaza campaign, the area buzzed with activity as foreign tourists and families were drawn to a long row of panel displays that captured the attention of people of all ages. Similar scenes unfolded in Busan and Seongnam, where citizens gathered around the campaign booths. The activists explained the desertification caused by global warming and the international community’s response to it, while also introducing the “Mother’s Forest” project.

The “Green Workplace” project, introduced through a panel exhibition that day, also captured the attention of many citizens.

“I’ll start using a reusable tumbler from now on.” “I’ll try to limit my use of disposable items to one or two times.”

Participants filled a dedicated panel with notes detailing specific actions they planned to take as part of the “Green Workplace” initiative.

Park Jae-min, a participant from Busan, remarked, “I didn’t realize air pollution and climate issues were this serious. I believe that if everyone practices environmental protection, it will have a positive impact on Earth.” Jeong Hye-jeong from Seoul, who attended the panel explanation with her family, said, “It seems that people are paying more attention because the campaign is being held by workers on their day off. I was happy to participate with my children. I’m going to try to implement what I learned today in my daily life.” Ahmet Uarle, a tourist from Türkiye, expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for allowing me to participate in the campaign. It was impressive to see the members carrying out their mission with such dedication. ‘Mother’s Forest’ is an amazing project.”

Shin Hye-su, an ASEZ WAO member from Seoul who prepared and executed the campaign, commented with a smile, “Although it was the weekend, I was happy to engage in meaningful activities. Often, people think environmental protection is difficult, but I hope everyone realizes that it’s more accessible and that anyone can participate.”

As of May 2024, ASEZ WAO has planted over 6,800 trees across 14 countries. Their powerful call to action for a suffering planet and endangered humanity continues to resonate globally:

“Let’s plant a tree! Let’s make Mother’s Forest!”

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