Blue Ocean Project
The Blue Ocean Project is an initiative led by ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, with the goal of protecting marine ecosystems. ASEZ WAO members conduct cleanups and campaigns to safeguard the environment and ecosystems of streams, rivers, and beaches worldwide. By collaborating with environmental organizations and local governments, they ensure that their activities are both timely and sustainable.
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Humanitarian Campaigns
(Campaigns For Us) • Response to COVID-19 Campaign Environmental Campaigns
(Campaigns For EARTH) • Response to Climate Change Campaign • Reducing Plastic Use Campaign • Terrestrial Ecosystem Protection Campaign • Marine Ecosystem Protection Campaign | |
| ASEZ WAO is an international volunteer group consisting of young adult workers from 7,800 Church of God locations in 175 countries. |
Purpose of the Blue Ocean Project
Oceans and rivers are treasure troves of ecological resources. Covering three-quarters of the earth’s surface, the ocean supports diverse living organisms, including marine algae, mammals, and invertebrates. It also controls the balance of Earth’s climate by transporting solar heat and oxygen as it circulates throughout the planet. It also absorbs about 30% of atmospheric carbon dioxide, mitigating climate change and its impact.[1]
Streams that flow into the sea also contribute to biodiversity, as each section—upstream, midstream, and downstream—features distinct environments. In urban areas, streams help improve atmospheric circulation by lowering ambient temperatures and creating wind pathways.[2]
Despite their critical role in ecosystems, oceans and rivers are being polluted due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that human-induced ocean acidification has negatively affected the distribution and diversity of marine life.[3] According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), more than 320 million people around the world consume contaminated water, and 3.4 million die annually from waterborne diseases caused by water pollution.[4]
Recognizing the importance of cleaning up marine environments and restoring ecosystems, the international community is actively planning and implementing related projects.[5] Public institutions and local governments are also undertaking ecological river restoration initiatives.[6] ASEZ WAO conducts the Blue Ocean Project aiming to help nature restore its essential functions while empowering young adults, the leaders of future generations, to maintain clean rivers and oceans with a sense of ownership in environmental conservation.
Project Introduction
The Blue Ocean Project, alongside the No More GPGP Project—which aims to prevent plastic waste islands—is one of ASEZ WAO’s flagship initiatives for purifying oceans and rivers.
Marine and river ecosystems around the world are severely threatened by human-generated waste and fishery debris.[7] Microplastics—particles smaller than 5 mm in diameter that form as trash decomposes—pose a threat even to humans at the top of the food chain. To promote harmony between humanity and nature, ASEZ WAO conducts cleanups through the Blue Ocean Project to improve water quality and protect marine ecosystems. Additionally, ASEZ WAO raises awareness through various campaigns, encouraging global citizens to take an active role in creating cleaner oceans and rivers.
Activity Highlights
ASEZ WAO members regularly carry out cleanup activities in streams, rivers, and beaches worldwide. In 2018, they conducted large-scale volunteer efforts across various regions of Korea. On October 7, members from Andong, Gumi, Gimcheon, Yeongju, Sangju, and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province gathered to clean the banks of the Nakdong River. For one and a half hours, participants cleaned up a 2.6 km (1.6 mi) area and filled 50 trash bags (50L each) provided by the Administrative Welfare Center in Gangnam-dong, Andong.[8] That same day, approximately 300 members from the Incheon area cleaned up Angel Rock Beach on Yeongjong Island. The Jung-gu District Office and the Yongyu-dong Village Administrative Welfare Center supported the initiative by providing 250 sacks for trash collection. Volunteers removed one tonne of household and fishing waste, including nets and styrofoam.[9]
In August 2019, 230 members from Callao, Peru, cleaned Carpayo Beach. Callao Municipality provided cleaning supplies, and participants collected a total of three tonnes of trash in two and a half hours. Earlier in June, over 120 members and their acquaintances from the Gangbuk region gathered in Seoul, Korea, to clean the Uicheon Stream. They also set up informational panels on climate change and its impact to raise awareness and inspire citizens to take part in protecting the environment.[10]
In the second half of 2021, ASEZ WAO carried out Blue Ocean Projects simultaneously across the globe. In Korea, members collaborated with government offices to clean rivers and beaches, including Segokcheon Stream in Seoul, Yulhacheon Stream in Daegu, Nakdong River Estuary Bank, Asan Lake in Pyeongtaek, Baeksu Coastal Road in Yeonggwang, and Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung.[11] A participant in the Shincheon Stream cleanup, Daegu, shared, “I feel proud to see the Shincheon Stream, which was once covered with fallen leaves and trash around the trees and river, now clean after volunteering with ASEZ WAO young adult workers.”[12]
ASEZ WAO members enhance the beauty of local landmarks while promoting the importance of protecting water quality. The Ohio River, the largest tributary of the Mississippi River, flows through Cincinnati. In November 2021, members from the Columbus area cleaned a 1.6 km (1 mi) stretch of the Ohio River near the boat wharf. City of Cincinnati officials also joined the effort, and together, they collected approximately 400 kg (882 lbs) of trash.
In December, members from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia—a popular vacation destination—raised awareness of marine conservation. On the morning of December 19, they gathered at Teluk Likas Beach around 7 a.m. and carried out a cleanup for about an hour and a half. The collected trash was disposed of with the help of a collection vehicle provided by Kota Kinabalu Municipality. In Thailand, ASEZ WAO members conducted a cleanup at Bang Saen Beach, a historic tourist destination. Due to its popularity among visitors, members carried out additional cleanup efforts along the 2.5 km (1.6 mi)-long beach in December of that year and again in May 2022. Government offices also provided supplies to support their volunteer efforts.
Governments, local authorities, and environmental organizations have shown significant interest in ASEZ WAO’s Blue Ocean Project, which aims to tackle global environmental challenges. The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation in the United States supported ASEZ WAO members from Manchester, New Hampshire, in cleaning a 3-kilometer (1.86 mi) stretch of Hampton Beach. In Puerto Rico, the environmental organization Para La Naturaleza provided ASEZ WAO members with all the necessary cleaning supplies for a cleanup at Ballena Beach, also known as Whale Beach.
In Imperial Beach, the southernmost point of California, U.S., the Bayshore Bikeway runs along San Diego Bay. In December 2021, Imperial Beach Municipality requested ASEZ WAO to clean up this area, which is often polluted due to the heavy vehicle and tourist traffic. In response, ASEZ WAO members removed two truckloads of trash and weeds. Following this, ASEZ WAO and the Municipality planned an initiative connected to the No More GPGP Project and carried out a large-scale cleanup in July 2022. The Municipality provided waste bins and cleaning supplies, and approximately 60 members collected over 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of trash, including 10.74 kg (23.7 lbs) of plastic, along the 7 km (4.3 mi) cycle path. An Imperial Beach City Councilor praised ASEZ WAO, saying, “Local residents are happy to see ASEZ WAO cleaning our community. ASEZ WAO inspires people to participate in cleaning activities to make our community a better place to live.”
Seuldo Island in Ulsan, Korea, is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful natural environment, coastal walkways, and diverse aquatic creatures. On July 17, 2022, 140 members from the Ulsan region collected 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of trash to prepare for the upcoming summer vacation season. An official from Dong-gu District, Ulsan, praised ASEZ WAO’s cleanup, saying, “Although the district office regularly cleans this area, it has been challenging due to the limited personnel. We are very thankful for your volunteer work.”
ASEZ WAO carries out diverse environmental conservation initiatives, including the Blue Ocean Project, simultaneously across the globe. Due to its dedicated efforts, ASEZ WAO has been recognized by the international community, receiving the Green World Award and the Green Apple Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and being appointed as the Green World Ambassador.[13]
See also
Related videos
- Warning Signs From the Earth
References
- ↑ Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, United Nations
- ↑ The interaction of rivers and urban form in mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect: A UK case study, Abigail Hathway, Building and Environment, Volume 58, December 2012, Pg. 14-22
- ↑ Choices made now are critical for the future of our ocean and cryosphere, IPCC
- ↑ More than 300 million at risk of life-threatening diseases from dirty water: U.N., Reuters, August 31, 2016
- ↑ Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas, European Commission
- ↑ Lee, S., Choi, GW, Governance in a River Restoration Project in South Korea: The Case of Incheon, Water Resources Management, Volume 26, 1165–1182 (2012)
- ↑ Plastic Pollution Affects Sea Life Throughout the Ocean, The Pew Charitable Trusts, September 24, 2018
- ↑ World Mission Society Church of God: Nakdong River Environmental Cleanup Volunteer Service, Kyongbuk Maeil, October 9, 2018
- ↑ Creating a Clean Yeongjong Island: 300 Workers and Students Gather, The Incheon Ilbo, October 9, 2018
- ↑ World Mission Society Church of God, Seoul Post, July 8, 2019
- ↑ Planting Trees and Cleaning Rivers and Beaches: Young People Worldwide Lead Environmental Protection Efforts, The JoongAng, December 4, 2021
- ↑ Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group: "Let's Clean Up Our Neighborhood by Picking Up Trash", Gyeongbuk Shinmun, November 16, 2021
- ↑ ASEZ and ASEZ WAO Honored With Green World Award and Green Apple Award, WATV.org, November 15, 2021