Suncheon-si Sustainable Development Council Holds Workshop to Explore Measures to Block Land-based Marine Debris Inflow

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The Suncheon Sustainable Development Council (Standing Chairperson Song Kyung-hwan) announced that it will hold a workshop to explore measures to block land-based marine debris inflow for the conservation of Suncheonman Wetland on Thursday, June 4th at 2 PM in the seminar room on the 2nd floor of Suncheon YMCA.

Marine debris is a global environmental issue along with climate change. In particular, marine plastic waste takes about 500 years or more to decompose, and when it becomes microplastics, it can threaten our health through the food chain.

About 90% of coastal debris is plastic, and more than 60% of this originates from land, but responses to plastic waste remain insufficient.

This workshop was organized to share with citizens the main causes and solutions of land-based marine debris and to discuss practical activities.

The keynote lecture will be delivered by Dr. Hong Sun-wook of the East Asia Sea Community Ocean, titled "Awareness and Countermeasures on Land-based Marine Debris Inflow." An Jung-ah, Secretary-General of Suncheon Environmental Movement Union, Jeong Myung-ok, Secretary-General of Jeonnam Eastern Regional Community Research Institute, and Lim Yi-kyung, team leader of Suncheon YMCA, will participate as panelists.

Additionally, relevant departments of Suncheon City responsible for sewers, stormwater drains, street litter, and rivers, which are inflow routes of marine plastic waste, will also participate to seek prevention policies and alternatives for marine plastic waste.

After the workshop, Suncheon civic groups plan to develop citizen-participatory initiatives such as the NO Plastic campaign, surveys on river and stream debris inflow status, coastal cleanup activities, and investigations on rainwater drain covers.

Song Kyung-hwan, Standing Chairperson of the Suncheon Sustainable Development Council, said, "Many citizens consider marine plastic waste a serious problem," and added, "We expect that this workshop will review the current status of our region and discuss proposals for problem-solving."

The workshop on practical activities to block land-based marine debris inflow for the conservation of Suncheonman Wetland is open to all citizens, and for more details, inquiries can be made to the Suncheon Sustainable Development Council.