The climate of the Korean Peninsula has been changing recently. We had unseasonable snow in the spring season, and the price of vegetables and fruits doubled compared to last year's because of unseasonably cool temperatures. A lot of countries and people are in trouble. The causes of these problems are carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and exhaust fumes from cars. The earth is becoming more polluted each day.
There are lots of organizations shouting "Let's save the earth!" They set special days in which we do not use electricity and we think about the earth. This article is about two associations and three special days.
1. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Web site: http://www.wwf.org
WWF, the global environmental group which is known for wildlife preservation and nature conservation, was founded in 1961. This organization, which has its international headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, is operated by support money from private sponsors, more than five million people and governments. It operates preservation programs for certain animals which are on the verge of extinction like pandas, polar bears, orangutans, gorillas, and tigers and for forests, swamp lands, and oceanic life conservancy. The purpose of WWF is coexistence between human beings and the environment.
●Earth Hour
Date: March 27 (8:30~9:30 p.m.)
Web site: http://www.earthhourkorea.org
Earth Hour plays on important role related to climate change problems. Through this movement, WWF wants to inform people about the serious situation and our future and make a sustainable low-carbon future together.
This event was first held in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. About 2.2 million participants and many families and companies turned off the lights for an hour to protect the environment. After just a year, this event became very popular and more than 50 million people from thirty five countries have participated in this event.
Earth Hour 2010 was held at 8:30 p.m. (local time) on March 27. About a hundred million people, local communities, companies, and other organizations participated in this event all over the world. The event was like cheering by waves. The event started in Chatham Islands, New Zealand, and ended at Apia, Samoa. The lights of the Pyramid and Sphinx in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Opera House in Australia, Times Square in New York, and Niagara Falls in Canada were all turned off at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Korean people had much interest in this event. Five cities, including Seoul, Daegu, and Busan, and five provinces, including Gyeonggi and Gangwon, participated in this event. So did Cheongwadae, and the lights of Yeongbin-Gwan, Chunchu-Gwan, and other buildings in Cheongwadae were turned off for an hour on that day. It was a rare case that the presidential palace took part in this event. Many companies like Naver, Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca Cola, Samsung, and Korean Air advertised the event and encouraged citizens to participate.
The United Nations also supports this event officially. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN, gave an encouraging speech at last year's event. Many people participated in this event thanks to the support of the UN.
2. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Web site: http://www.unep.or.kr
UNEP is an international cooperation organization dealing with environmental problems founded in 1972. It promotes international cooperation, knowledge enhancement, and checking the earth's environmental state. It makes a yearly report about population growth, urbanization, the environment, and natural resources. It draws the attention of governments to internationally important environmental problems.
●World Water Day
Date: March 22
Web site: http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday
In 1992, UNEP appointed March 22 as World Water Day to increase awareness of problems like the supply of potable water and the importance of preservation of water resources. UNEP operates educational programs such as the campaign for saving water and a project to purify rivers and streams. In Korea, this event has been held since 1994.
Worldwide pollution of water quality is caused by human activities. Increasing population rates, rapid urbanization, and chemical substances are the main factors in water pollution. Climate change is another factor influencing water quality.
●World Environment Day
Date: June 5
Web site: http://unep.or.kr/wed/2010
World Environment Day is the day when people all over the world share their thoughts about the environment and decide to take action for the environment. It was started on June 5, 1972, by UNEP. On this day, people can recognize the seriousness of environmental problems and feel responsible for the destruction of the environment. World Environment Day lets people play a role in changing to sustainable natural resources. The topic of the event this year was "Many Species, One Planet, One future." When we acknowledge the biological diversity and the fact that millions of people share the same earth, we can look forward to a safer and more affluent future.
▶Good Habits to Save the Earth◀
-Turn off the faucet to save the last drop of water.
-Use a towel instead of a tissue when you wipe your face and hands. Reuse the towel after it dries.
-Buy products in a big reusable container when you have juice or yogurt.
-Use a coffee mug instead of a paper cup when you drink coffee.
-Turn off electronic devices when you are not using them.
As the ice caps are melting and the sea level is rising because of global warming, animals' habitats are decreasing. How about taking part in these events? How about taking some little action for changes that we can make to save the earth? Small changes can save the earth.
