Green Earth Project
The Green Earth Project is an initiative by ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, aimed at protecting terrestrial ecosystems. ASEZ WAO members around the world engage in various cleanup activities to preserve forests, natural habitats of living creatures, and to improve urban environments.
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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 Green Earth Project
Forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species, including animals, plants, and insects.[1] According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), nearly 75% of the Earth's surface has been altered by human activities, resulting in the further degradation of natural environments.[2] As industrialization and urbanization accelerate, coupled with increasing population density, forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, and environmental pollution in cities has become a major concern.
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Lush, thriving forests not only provide psychological comfort and spaces for relaxation, but they also play a crucial role in improving urban environments. Urban forests, especially those formed between buildings, offer numerous benefits such as mitigating the heat island effect by creating wind corridors, reducing noise pollution, and filtering fine dust.[3] Major cities around the world, including New York in the U.S. and London in the U.K., have enhanced their environment and boosted urban competitiveness by developing forests and parks.[4] In Seoul, Republic of Korea, locations such as Yeouido Park and Seoul Forest have been established to preserve natural landscapes and offer citizens places to relax.
ASEZ WAO carries out the Green Earth Project to protect habitats for living organisms. Through regular volunteer efforts, ASEZ WAO members work to preserve ecosystems by keeping forests clean, beautifying urban landscapes, and revitalizing city parks—fostering an environment where nature and people coexist in harmony.
Project Introduction
ASEZ WAO implements Green Earth Projects worldwide to enhance both urban and forest environments. Even in areas with limited volunteer activity, members conduct cleanup efforts to raise environmental awareness among citizens.
To keep cities clean, they collect litter in high-traffic areas such as streets and walking trails. They also remove illegal posters, erase graffiti, and clear weeds from parks and flower beds. In forests and national parks, members pick up discarded trash and remove harmful plants to help restore ecosystems. Even before officially launching the Green Earth Project, ASEZ WAO actively contributed to environmental conservation through the Mother’s Forest Project, planting trees worldwide to create green spaces and protect natural habitats.
Current Activity Status
In November 2021, ASEZ WAO carried out regular volunteer activities worldwide. In Korea, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the autumn foliage season led to an increase in outdoor visitors. In response, ASEZ WAO members carried out the Green Earth Project in various locations, including Nakseongdae Park and Achasan Dullegil in Seoul, Mudeungsan National Park in Gwangju, Jangsan Mountain in Busan, and Geumgangsanseong Fortress Trail in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do.[5]
All activities adhered to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, and government offices welcomed volunteers, providing essential supplies such as garbage bags, cleaning tools, gloves, and hot packs.[6] More than 100 environmental volunteer activities were conducted nationwide.[7]
On November 28, members in Jeju cleaned a 4-km area around Minoreum in Ora-dong, collecting 60 kg of litter, including disposable items, plastic bottles, and cans discarded along the hiking trails. Jeju Provincial Council Member Lee Seung-ah joined the activity and remarked, “I sincerely thank ASEZ WAO’s young volunteers for their commitment to environmental conservation. I will also support efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment.”[7]
Active volunteer efforts also took place overseas from November to December 2021. Environmental protection activities were conducted in Paterson, New Jersey; Omaha, Nebraska; Manchester, U.K.; Fukuoka, Japan; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Arequipa, Peru; and Pretoria, South Africa.[8] Michael Severance, an ASEZ WAO member who participated in a cleanup at Puget Sound Park in Seattle, Washington, U.S., said, “When people live in a clean environment, they develop a stronger sense of responsibility for it and experience greater happiness. Ultimately, creating a cleaner environment benefits everyone.”[9]
On December 16, members from Buenos Aires, Argentina, cleaned the streets of Eva Perón Municipal Park in Lanús. Some passersby, moved by the volunteers dedicating their holidays to cleaning the city, joined in their efforts. Mayor Néstor Grindetti presented a certificate of appreciation, recognizing ASEZ WAO’s significant contribution to environmental protection and its continuous efforts to raise public awareness.
In the United States, over 100 members from Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and Fresno gathered at Kern Delta Park located at the entrance of Bakersfield. With the support of Keep Bakersfield Beautiful (KBB), an environmental organization, participants planted trees in the park and cleaned the area around the Bakersfield welcome sign. “This area is part of the first impression people have when they come to Bakersfield. We plant and maintain trees to create a positive impression,” said John Enriquez, a board member of KBB.”[10]
Members from South Africa also strive to raise citizens’ environmental awareness. On March 13, 2022, about 80 members from Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Tshwane held a panel exhibition at Pennyville Park, a popular relaxation spot, to highlight the impact of waste on daily life. To promote public health, they also collected 400 bags of trash, including cigarette butts, disposable face masks, and plastic bottles. Mpho Phalatse, Mayor of Johannesburg, said, “Many people do not realize what is happening to the Earth and do not know how to prevent it. I learned an interesting way to raise environmental awareness through ASEZ WAO. I want to continue to work with them.”[11]
Local governments and public offices are actively supporting and cooperating with ASEZ WAO in its mission to protect the future of humanity and the Earth. In Trujillo, Peru, the La Esperanza District Office initiated a tree-planting project at Los Geranios Crossroads and Primavera Complex 2 to enhance green spaces. On December 16, 2021, members from Trujillo cleaned the area in advance, collecting 1.5 tonnes of trash. Martin Namay, Mayor of La Esperanza, met with the members to acknowledge their efforts and offer encouragement.[12] On March 28, 2022, in Cajamarca, police officers provided safety assistance as members cleaned the sidewalk in the center of Boulevard San Martin de Porres and repainted flower beds.[13]
On December 5, 2021, in London, U.K., 30 members cleaned the streets of Sutton South Ward with the support of the Sutton City Council, collecting nearly 160 kg of trash. Councillor Trish Fivey, Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, participated in the initiative and expressed her support for ASEZ WAO’s efforts toward sustainable development.
In February 2022, ASEZ WAO members from South Africa collaborated with Tshwane Municipality to preserve ecosystems in the Klapperkop Nature Reserve. It aimed to remove the wattle (acacia) trees, which hinder the growth of the surrounding plants and wildlife. Tshwane city officials handled the tree cutting, while members helped transport the removed trees. Beyond these efforts, ASEZ WAO continues its commitment to environmental conservation by organizing regular and ongoing volunteer activities for a greener planet.[14]
See also
Related videos
- Warning Signs From the Earth
References
- ↑ Why it matters: Life on Land, United Nations
- ↑ First Person: COVID-19 is not a silver lining for the climate, says UN Environment chief, UN News, Apr 5, 2020
- ↑ Benefits and challenges of urban forests, Uforest
- ↑ How Trees Are Revolutionizing Cities Around the World, CONNECT4CLIMATE, April 8, 2019
- ↑ Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group in Taebaek: 'Green Earth' Volunteer Activity in Hwangjiro, TJI News, November 18, 2021
- ↑ [Issue] ASEZ WAO: "Beautifying the Global Environment Starting from Local Communities", Jeonbuk Today, December 2, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Church of God Worker Volunteer Group: 'We Protect Our Planet', Jeju Environment News, November 28, 2021
- ↑ Mayor of Trafford, Trafford Council’s Mark Dale & ASEZ WAO help clean up Old Trafford, News4trafford, December 21, 2021
- ↑ Volunteers remove litter from around Burien’s Puget Sound Park, The B-Town Blog, December 20, 2021
- ↑ Volunteers beautify ‘Welcome to Bakersfield’ sign off Highway 99, KGET, December 26, 2021
- ↑ Sharing 'Passover Love' with 7.8 Billion People: World Mission Society Church of God, Woman Chosun, April 26, 2022
- ↑ Grupo de jóvenes alista limpieza en el distrito de La Esperanza, TV Cosmos, December 15, 2021
- ↑ Campaña de Limpieza Ambiental en Todo el Mundo, Iglesia de Dios Sociedad Misionera Mundial Perú
- ↑ Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group Receives 'Green World Award', Monthly Chosun, March 16, 2022