Yeongdeungpo-gu, Visiting Environmental Education for Climate Crisis Response
Published 15 Jun.2023 06:38(KST)
Updated 15 Jun.2023 06:38(KST)
Operating Environmental Education Visiting Daycare Centers and Kindergartens... Cultivating the Next Generation of Green Leaders
Customized education at the children's level through play and hands-on experiences to address environmental issues and climate change
Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu: "Raising awareness and practice of the climate crisis to lead carbon neutrality and green growth for future generations"
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Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Choi Ho-gwon) announced that it will conduct ‘visiting environmental education’ to increase interest in environmental protection and climate change among children in daycare centers and kindergartens.
In the past 30 years, the average temperature in South Korea has risen by 1.4℃, intensifying global warming. Accordingly, the district plans to accelerate overcoming the climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality through age-appropriate environmental education.
The visiting environmental education program was established to raise awareness among children, who are vulnerable to climate change, about the increasingly serious environmental issues and to help them practice environmental protection in daily life.
Professional environmental education instructors visit daycare centers and kindergartens to conduct play- and experience-centered education that stimulates children’s curiosity and interest.
Now in its fourth year, the environmental education program visits children every year with various themes. Last year, the recycling education, which involved making deodorants using eco-friendly soap and coffee grounds, received great responses from daycare centers and kindergartens.
This year, the program plans to visit over 60 daycare centers and kindergartens. With themes of carbon neutrality and greenhouse gas reduction, it aims to enhance understanding of the climate crisis and cultivate the next generation of green leaders through activities such as growing barley sprouts and making traditional candle holders.
In the future, the district plans to hold one-day experiential events where children can directly feel nature and appreciate the importance of the environment at places like Anyangcheon Stream, riverside areas, and Yangpyeong retention basin.
In addition to unique education programs such as children’s environmental education and financial education, the district is making multifaceted efforts to ensure that children, the future dream trees, can live in a safe and comfortable environment by implementing measures such as ▲ installing rooftop cool roofs (heat-blocking coatings) ▲ installing eco-friendly cooking utensils ▲ testing for harmful environmental factors like lead, cadmium, and mercury in activity spaces.
Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “The climate crisis is an unavoidable issue. Through this education, I hope that children, who are the main actors of future generations, will play a pioneering role in environmental protection.” He added, “Furthermore, we will actively respond to the climate crisis with various environment policies tailored to the district’s characteristics, such as the ecological restoration of Anyangcheon, and take the lead in protecting the safety and health of residents.”