Fundraising and picking up trash in Apgu, Seoul

 FUNDRAISER & PLOGGING IN APGU

During the summer, Ecosave Club organized a plogging event where our members gathered in Apgu, a popular spot for socializing and shopping in Seoul. Our members gathered in this neighborhood to clean up the streets, finding various items like plastic bottles, advertising flyers and leftover food from the previous day. 

We collected them in biodegradable trash bags. Although we couldn't pick up every single piece of litter, we hope our project still contributed to cleaning up the area. We were pleased to see some locals in the area supporting our initiative by joining in the trash pickup. For instance, a store manager guided us to areas with vast amount of trash. 

Furthermore, we held a fundraiser after the plogging event to generate funds for creating birth certificates for the children in the Philippines. These birth certificates cost around $115 and most Filipino families are unable to afford them - leading to lack of access to quality education, proper health care. Through this event, Ecosave club aims to improve the access of children in the Philippines to fundamental human rights. 

Written by: Ella Nakyo Hong

Thousands of Dead Fish Washed up on Texas Shore

Thousands of Dead Fish Washed up on Texas Shore

By: Grace Hyunjoo Lee

Thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of the gulf coast of Texas over the weekend, revealing a distressing sight to local authorities, visitors, and tourists. 
The incident, which occurred in Brazoria County, more than 40 miles south of Houston, was a result of waves from the Gulf of Mexico pushing in dead fish. This event is said to be a result of low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, making it difficult for the fish to breathe. This phenomenon, commonly known as a "fish kill," is actually not uncommon during the summer months when temperatures rise in the region.
While no direct link to climate change has been established in this particular occurrence, experts have pointed out that fish kills like this one may become more frequent as temperatures continue to warm and oxygen levels in lakes across the United States and Europe decline.
The amount of dissolved oxygen in water largely depends on the process of photosynthesis. During daylight hours, plants in the water undergo photosynthesis. However, as sunlight disappears at night, photosynthesis slows down, while aquatic plants and animals continue to consume oxygen at the same rate. This leads to a decrease in oxygen concentration, making it challenging for fish to survive.
The incident shows the delicate balance of ecosystems and the potential consequences of environmental changes. As global temperatures continue to rise, such fish kills may become more frequent, requiring a closer examination of the underlying causes and the urgent need for climate action. It is crucial for people to work together to implement sustainable practices and mitigate the impacts of climate change to protect the earth and humans for future generations. 

Works Cited:

Images: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/thousands-dead-fish-wash-texas-coast-beachgoers-urged-steer-clear-rcna89036

Distribution of the Edible Insect Board Game

 Distribution of the Edible Insect Board Game

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

    Recently, Ecosave had a captivating idea to capture the attention of young people: the Edible Insect Board Game. No, you do not eat edible insects while playing the board game. However, the concept is that through this board game, young learners across the world can become interested in seeking out the role that insects play for the environment and the world. Over the past year, this unique game made its way across the seas to two different countries including the United States and South Korea. 

      

    Last Year, the Edible Insect Board Game made its first destination in the United States. Specifically, 30 different American elementary schools and public libraries received this board game to captivate the overall purpose of having edible insects. Although the board game did not contain factual information about the environment, it still introduced the younger generation to a concept that they may have not heard before. Thus, sparked curiosity may be an outcome, leading to future explorations related to this topic.

    Building upon the success in America, the Edible Insect Board Game made its second destination in South Korea this year. This time, 10 South Korean kindergartens and public libraries received the board game with the same goal: to influence the minds of young children. Furthermore, one of the Korean Kindergartens sent us pictures of the children actually playing the board game. Seeing their enjoyment, it was clear that this board game idea was a success.

    Regardless of where the Edible Insect Board Game goes to, the idea is always the same. We, Ecosave, will continue to influence the people around the world by spreading awareness of the environment and its imperative need for aid. 

    

The Environmental Shift

Written by Caleb Cheha Paik

         Many of you might know that the Industrial Revolution was an important period in human history that triggered many advancements in technology, economic growth, and societal changes. Machines and factories increased and the world witnessed a significant shift to industrialized economies. However, this shift came with a considerable cost to the environment. 

Before the Industrial Revolution, human societies mostly relied on agricultural practices and local craftsmanship. Large factories were basically nonexistent, and most production included manual labor. Additionally, population densities were much lower, causing minimal environmental impact. For example, forests covered extensive areas, providing habitat for wildlife and overall increasing biodiversity. Due to this agricultural approach, humans and nature had a harmonious relationship since ecosystems were left undisturbed, 

However, beginning in the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution began. It led humanity into a new era of mass manufacturing. The number of factories rapidly proliferated, which in turn gave tons of employment opportunities. Therefore, there was a dramatic environmental change since pollution and resource extraction exponentially rose. 

Due to this immense change, the environment was harmfully affected. Some of this effects include:

1. Deforestation: The demand for wood and land for factory construction led to widespread deforestation. This severely impacted ecosystems and reduced biodiversity.

2. Air Pollution: The burning of fossil fuels released abundant amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming or climate change. 

3. Water Pollution: The emission of industrial waste into bodies of water contaminated fresh sources, endangering marine life and human health.

These are only some of the immense effects the Industrial Revolution brought to humanity. Thus, it can certainly be said that the Industrial Revolution was a turning point in human history, driving economic growth but demanding a heavy toll on the environment.