On March 22, World Water Day, ASEZ WAO (Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group) carried out the 8th ASEZ WAO Street Campaign. Fifty ASEZ WAO activists conducted campaigns to promote the preservation of water resources and marine ecosystems at Kant’s Walking Trail along Yangjaecheon Stream in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and at Mud Square of Daecheon Beach in Boryeong. “Activists” refers to selected ASEZ WAO members who receive professional environmental education and carry out environmental activities.
The campaigns in both regions were held for citizens and tourists. Through panel exhibitions, the activists introduced the current state of ocean pollution, the damage it causes, and ASEZ WAO’s Blue Ocean Project, which aims to address these issues. Although the ocean is an outstanding carbon dioxide reservoir, indiscriminate development and pollution are noticeably reducing its ability to capture and store carbon. In addition, excessive carbon dioxide released by human activities causes ocean acidification, destroying marine habitats. The activists introduced various activities to protect marine ecosystems, including collecting marine waste, and called for public interest and participation. Citizens nodded as they listened to the detailed explanations and showed support for the campaign by writing the activities they will practice to protect marine ecosystems on sticky notes and attaching them to the panels.
An experience zone was also set up where people could directly take part in marine ecosystem protection activities. Activities such as collecting plastic from a sand tank and making magnets from discarded seashells drew positive responses from citizens.
In Boryeong, an opening ceremony was held before the campaign began, with 450 people in attendance, including activists, members, and local figures from political and media circles. Kim Du-seok, Director of the ASEZ WAO Boryeong Branch, said, “I hope today’s event will help inform citizens about the seriousness of marine ecosystem pollution and contribute to restoring the blue color of our seas.” Figures from various sectors expressed their support for marine environmental protection by signing in support of ASEZ WAO.
After the opening ceremony, around 370 members from the Boryeong, Hongseong, Yesan, and Buyeo branches carried out a cleanup, collecting about 140 kg (310 lbs) of trash from Daecheon Beach, nearby shopping areas, and the Nampo Embankment area.
Kim Bok-ju, a citizen of Boryeong, said, “Many tourists visit Daecheon Beach because it is clean, but it hurts my heart whenever I see trash carelessly thrown away. I am thankful that young people are holding a campaign here and raising their voices to protect marine ecosystems.” Tourist Allen Armes from Micronesia, who listened carefully to the panel explanations, said, “Even on my home island, my relatives are cultivating mangrove forests that absorb carbon dioxide. I think this campaign, which tells us about the reality we face and what we need to do, is truly important for children as well.”
Yang Seung-jo, former Governor of South Chungcheong Province, who visited the site, encouraged the participants, saying, “I express my gratitude to ASEZ WAO for giving up their holiday to hold this campaign in Boryeong. I hope this campaign will spread beyond South Chungcheong Province to the entire nation and become a starting point for creating a culture of protecting marine ecosystems.” Jo A-hyeon, an activist from Changwon who explained the panels, said, “I used various examples so that citizens would not feel that protecting marine ecosystems and water resources is difficult. I felt rewarded, seeing citizens resolve to practice environmental activities.”
