LG Chem, Youth Activists Promote Biodiversity Awareness

'We Are the Green Heroes' youth activists gathered to promote the protection of Bamseom Island's environment and biodiversity. Photo by LG Chem

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"A first-class endangered species, the otter, lives in the heart of Seoul. We must protect Bamseom before it's too late," said activist Seongjae Lee (6th grade elementary school).

"It starts with small actions. Now is the time to take direct action," said activist Hyuna Park (5th grade elementary school).

LG Chem has teamed up with youth activists to promote the protection of Bamseom's environment and biodiversity.

On the 4th, LG Chem announced that its 'We Are Green Heroes' youth activists operated a campaign and booth at the Seoul Hangang Festival to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation. 'We Are Green Heroes' is a child and youth environmental activist development project launched this year by LG Chem in collaboration with the Community Chest of Korea, Good Neighbors Seo-in Regional Headquarters, and the youth education social cooperative Seedcorp.

The youth activists set up a booth at Yeouido Hangang Park and conducted activities including ▲an exhibition of biodiversity and Bamseom newspapers highlighting the value of Bamseom, a treasure trove of ecology ▲a quiz corner related to Bamseom for citizen participation ▲crowdfunding to support protecting Bamseom ▲goods events featuring otter badges, eco-bags, and postcards made by the activists ▲and guidance to the Bamseom Ecological Experience Center where visitors can receive eco-friendly kits. All funds raised through crowdfunding, after covering the cost of goods production, are donated in full to the Korea National Trust for Nature Conservation.

About 50 youth activists, ranging from upper elementary to 2nd grade middle school students, have been planning citizen participation events to protect Bamseom for the past two months. The booth operation in August coincides with the month when Bamseom was designated as an Ecological Landscape Conservation Area by Seoul City in 1999.

Activist Eunwoo Park (5th grade elementary school), who participated in the activities, said, "We worked hard with fellow activists to protect Bamseom, and it motivates me that many people came and empathized with us. I will continue to work hard to protect ecosystems and the environment."

Activist Minyeop Kim (2nd grade middle school), who participated in designing postcards and other goods, shared, "I felt proud that citizens pledged support after seeing the postcards we made ourselves. I will continue activities to help protect Bamseom and the ecosystem."

Located near Yeouido on the Hangang River in Seoul, Bamseom is a rare urban migratory bird habitat globally and home to 12 endangered species and natural monuments, earning it the nickname "treasure trove of ecology." Since 2012, Bamseom has been designated and managed as a Ramsar wetland, but recently its ecosystem has been threatened by trash carried by monsoon rains and invasive plant species disrupting the ecology.

LG Chem's connection to Bamseom for biodiversity protection began in 2017 when employees engaged in removing harmful plants and environmental cleanup activities for Bamseom's ecological environment. In 2018, LG Chem also opened the 'Bamseom Ecological Experience Center' at the Mapo Bridge Sunset Observatory, a space where visitors can experience Bamseom's history and ecology.

Kang Jaecheol, head of LG Chem's Sustainability Division, stated, "We will continue to expand awareness of Bamseom and biodiversity conservation, nurture future ESG talents through child and youth activist development, and carry out social contribution activities in the eco-friendly sector."

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