Gijang County, Busan Sees Positive Response to "Together Green" Project Linking Carbon Neutrality and Mental Health

Killing Two Birds with One Stone:
Promoting Environmental Protection and Raising Awareness

The "Together (Value) Green" project, promoted by Gijang County (Governor Jung Jongbok), which links the practice of carbon neutrality with improving awareness of mental health, is receiving a positive response from the local community.

This project is a program in which users of local mental health and welfare institutions and residents participate together in environmental protection activities to practice carbon neutrality.

Users of mental health and welfare institutions and local residents are participating in experiential activities together at the National Busan Science Museum. Provided by Gijang County

Going beyond simple environmental cleanup activities, the project aims to reduce prejudice against mental health and strengthen residents' sense of belonging through mutual exchange and community activities.

Since last year, the project has been continued under the leadership of the Gijang County Mental Health Welfare Center, with local welfare institutions joining forces. On September 3, around 20 participants from three institutions-Jeonggwan Senior Welfare Center, Haengboknamu, and the Gijang County Mental Health Welfare Center-carried out "plogging" activities in the Daebyeon Port area as part of their efforts to practice carbon neutrality.

They also visited the National Busan Science Museum, where they took part in educational and experiential programs on the topics of sea level rise and marine ecosystem issues, learning about the importance of environmental protection.

The county plans to further expand the program to increase resident participation. Through this, they aim to create a virtuous cycle that both addresses environmental issues and improves awareness of mental health.

Governor Jung Jongbok stated, "Carbon neutrality and improving awareness of mental health are challenges that we must all address together," adding, "We will establish a foundation that enables residents and the local community to continuously practice these efforts in solidarity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.