The No More GPGP Project (Reducing Plastic Use)
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The No More GPGP Project was started by ASEZ WAO to reduce the use of plastics, one of the main causes of environmental pollution. ASEZ WAO aims to collect 80,000 metric tons of plastic waste through this Project to prevent the formation of another Great Pacific Garbage Patch [GPGP]. ASEZ WAO holds conferences and seminars to inform citizens and the international community about the seriousness of plastic waste.
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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. |
The Purpose of No More GPGP Project
When it comes to environmental pollution in the 21st century, plastic waste is one of the main discussion points. This is because plastics are used everywhere and are now threatening the earth’s ecosystems.
According to the 2018 UN Environment Programme [UNEP] Annual Report, about 330 million metric tons of plastic waste is produced on land every year, which is equivalent to the weight of the global population. A lot of plastic waste flows into the sea threatening the survival of marine life. The international journal, Nature Communications, estimated that 1.15 million to 2.41 million metric tons of plastic waste flows into the sea every year.[1] More than half of plastics are less dense than water, so it does not sink. The garbage that enters the sea floats along the current and accumulates, which then becomes an island of plastic garbage. The largest plastic garbage island in the Pacific is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch [GPGP]. The area of GPGP is about 1.6 million ㎢, which is twice the size of Texas in the U.S. and three times the size of France.
Also, roughly 15% of plastics are consumed by marine organisms, which endangers their life. Plastics are found in the intestines of 90% of seabirds. There are approximately 600 species of sea creatures exposed to the risk of plastics.[2] This eventually harms humans because if marine organisms consume 5 mm of microplastics, it negatively impacts the food chain. According to a study by the World Wide Fund [WWF], one person ingests microplastics as much as a credit card every week.[3]
ASEZ WAO is carrying out the “No More GPGP” Project with the goal of reducing plastic use around the world. The goal is to collect 80,000 metric tons of plastic waste through a human network consisting of members from 175 countries to prevent the occurrence of GPGP and to inform the international community about the seriousness of plastic pollution.
About the Project
ASEZ WAO recognizes the need for multifaceted and multi-dimensional efforts for plastic production, consumption, and disposal, and has been carrying out activities to reduce plastics through the No More GPGP Project since January 2020. This Project is in line with the UN’s SDG #14, “Life Below Water.” The first target of the SDG 14 is “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.”
The activities of No More GPGP are as follows:
- Reducing Plastic Production
The role of governments and companies is important to reduce plastic production. ASEZ WAO members visit their workplaces or local governments to hold No More GPGP Conferences and sign a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] for cooperative activities. They continue working with companies and governments by raising their interest, and carrying out the No More GPGP Project, based on the given information about the areas contaminated with plastics.
- Reducing Plastic Consumption
When consumption patterns change, the way of production can change. ASEZ WAO pays attention to improving citizens’ awareness to reduce plastic consumption and informs them about the seriousness of plastic waste and how to use substitutes through the No More GPGP seminars and forums. In Namibia, they appeared on a local radio station, drawing the attention of local citizens.[4][5]
- Reducing Plastic Disposal
In order to reduce the amount of plastics discarded, ASEZ WAO collects plastic waste thrown recklessly on land. The collected garbage is separated according to whether it can be recycled, labels and lids are removed, and the plastics are given to a recycling company.[6]
Current Activity Status
The No More GPGP Project is actively being carried out in Korea and around the world. Before the pandemic, ASEZ WAO Korean members flew to many countries through the Overseas Culture Experience Group program and actively publicized the harmful effects of plastic waste, taking the lead in the role of nongovernmental environmentalists.[7] The Korean members who went to Thailand held the No More GPGP Conference at the Wang Thonglang District Office in Bangkok and suggested goals and specific methods to reduce disposable plastics. The Vice Head of the District Office signed an MOU with ASEZ WAO and invited members to an event to reduce plastic use. ASEZ WAO carried out the No More GPGP Project and plastic collection work in various regions in India and received a certificate of appreciation from the city of Pune. In the U.S., ASEZ WAO promised steady cooperation with the city councilors and city hall officials in Atlanta, Loganville, and Augusta on the No More GPGP Project. A member of the House of Representatives who attended the No More GPGP forum held in Syracuse, New York, spoke on the enactment of related laws, and Korean and local members visited the UN headquarters to introduce the Project.[8][9][10][11]
In order to cope with the sharp increase in plastic production and consumption since COVID-19, ASEZ WAO has constantly carried out the No More GPGP Project in each country, abiding by COVID-19 preventive measures.[12] Korean members raised citizens’ awareness by collecting plastic waste in areas with large floating populations, such as Suraksan Mountain in Seoul, Lake Park in Ansan, Gajwacheon Stream in Goyang, and Dongseong-ro Street in Daegu. Local government offices welcomed the No More GPGP activities, providing necessary information and items such as garbage bags.[13][14][15] As of October 2021, about 36,948 participants collected 140 metric tons of plastic garbage in 33 countries.
See also
References
- ↑ River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans, Nature Communications, June 7, 2017
- ↑ Nearly Every Seabird on Earth Is Eating Plastic, National Geographic, September 3, 2015
- ↑ Could you be eating a credit card a week?, WWF, June 12, 2019
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO in Mongolia Carries Out Environmental Seminar and Street Cleanup in Bayanzurkh". ASEZ WAO Official Website. January 12, 2020.
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO in Namibia Introduces "No More GPGP" Project on Broadcast". ASEZ WAO Official Website.
- ↑ "Church of God Young Adults, "Let's save the Earth by reducing plastic."". The JoongAng. December 23, 2020.
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO, Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group "Take Lead" to Reduce Plastic". Sisa News. August 9, 2019.
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO in Thailand Held a Meeting in Bangkok, Asia". ASEZ WAO Official Website. January 17, 2020.
- ↑ "For a Clean India and a Clean Earth Without Environmental Problems". ASEZ WAO Official Website. January 20, 2020.
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO's "No More GPGP" in Atlanta, U.S., Too, North America". ASEZ WAO Official Website. January 19, 2020.
- ↑ ASEZ WAO Syracuse chapter pushes to say ‘goodbye to plastic’ at environmental forum, LOCALSYR.com, January 12, 2020
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO Carried Out Regular Volunteer Services". WATV.org. December 18, 2020.
- ↑ "Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group Runs a Large-scale Volunteer Work". Ulsan Daily. June 21, 2021.
- ↑ "ASEZ WAO Contributes for Carbon Neutrality by Collecting Plastic Waste in Daegu". Gyeongbuk Newspaper. June 22, 2021.
- ↑ Church of God members win Int'l environmental awards, The Korea Times, November 24, 2021