'Wake Up Sleeping Tumblers'... Gwangju Launches a Week of Earth-Saving Actions

Nationwide Simultaneous Lights-Off Event on April 22
Expanded Citizen Participation in Cycling and Walking Events

Ten minutes with the lights off, reusing a single tumbler, and a day spent walking and cycling—these are the small actions Gwangju City is gathering for Climate Change Week in celebration of Earth Day.

Gwangju City announced on April 16 that, marking the 56th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22), it has designated April 20 to 24 as 'Climate Change Week.' During this period, the city will hold a commemorative ceremony, a nationwide simultaneous lights-off event, and citizen-participation experiential programs.

'Climate Change Week' web poster. Provided by Gwangju City

The Earth Day commemorative ceremony will take place at 12:00 p.m. on April 18 at the outdoor music stage of City Hall. Around 1,000 participants, including local environmental organizations, related agencies, and citizens, are expected to attend. The event will feature a progress report, performances, and cultural presentations. This year’s theme is "Our Steps, Walking Together and Protecting Together."

During the event period, a children's drawing contest, a bicycle parade, and the walking event 'Earth RUN' will be held. Twenty-three experiential booths will be set up on topics such as resource circulation, the natural environment, energy, green health, and green transportation. Other programs include 'Bikkkoeul Climate Market,' where participants receive liquid soap in exchange for bringing recyclable plastic containers; 'Clover Eco Check,' where visitors can leave messages on eco-bags; and 'Wake Up Sleeping Tumblers,' which encourages the onsite reuse of unused tumblers.

On Earth Day itself, April 22, a nationwide simultaneous lights-off event will be held for ten minutes starting at 8:00 p.m. More than 100 locations, including City Hall, district offices, other public institutions, and apartment complexes participating in the energy-saving apartment initiative, are expected to take part.

In addition, the five district offices and related organizations will each conduct their own campaigns and educational programs, such as carbon neutrality practice campaigns, ecological classrooms, energy transition village campaigns, and carbon neutrality education sessions.

Na Byungchun, Head of Climate and Air Policy Division, said, "We hope that Earth Day will serve as an opportunity for citizens to come together and practice sustainable actions in their daily lives."

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