[Consumer Climate Action Column] Small Wings Toward Earth's Healing: 'Kkumkkuneun Challenge 7days'

O Insuk, Chairperson of Kkumkkuneun iCOOP Consumer Cooperative

On December 10, 2020, the Government of the Republic of Korea declared the ‘2050 Carbon Neutrality Vision.’

‘Carbon neutrality’ refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels and other sources, and offsetting or removing the inevitably emitted greenhouse gases through forests, wetlands, and other means, so that the net emissions become ‘0.’

Accordingly, changes are occurring in various fields, with a representative example being the transition to a ‘plastic-free’ society.

The Honam Reporting Headquarters of Asia Economy is running a series of ‘Consumer Climate Action Columns’ to empathize with and participate in the plastic-free movement.

‘Dreaming Challenge 7days’ is an online climate action campaign created by members of the Dreaming iCOOP Consumer Cooperative in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, who have been contemplating small actions to heal the Earth.

The participation method is simple. From Monday to Sunday, participants complete a different environmental mission each day and share photos of their actions in the cooperative community.

The campaign, which started in September last year, originated from a member’s proposal to try small actions for the Earth. Afterwards, a member survey was conducted to gauge interest in the environment and to gather specific ideas on what actions would be effective.

Thus, the completed ‘Dreaming Challenge 7 days’ consists of easily implementable actions that received broad consensus during the selection process.

For example, Monday’s action is ‘Meat?free Monday.’ On this day, participants are encouraged to protect both their health and the planet by sharing delicious vegetarian menus and cooking methods, promoting vegetarianism.

Even those who are not strict vegetarians can gradually participate by trying vegetarian meals occasionally, helping to overcome the perception that vegetarianism is difficult.

On Tuesday, the mission is ‘Reduce Food Waste Tuesday,’ where participants eat all their food without leaving leftovers. Wednesday is ‘Wise Sharing Life for the Earth,’ encouraging resource circulation. Participants flatten paper cartons properly for disposal at stores and operate an online marketplace for sharing and reusing items.

Thursday is dedicated to sharing environmental news and materials together, with participants posting their thoughts and opinions in comments to communicate better ways to act.

Friday focuses on reducing the use of disposable plastic containers, while Saturday involves sharing effective methods and materials for proper waste separation.

Finally, on Sunday, all actions taken for the Earth throughout the week are shared.

The seven day-campaigners who guide the challenge post daily mission content along with posters to encourage participation.

They also support continuous engagement by interacting with participants through comments. The campaigners say they have realized the joy of climate action and the true meaning of their activities through the campaign.

Participants also share the meaning and joy of participating with their children, as well as reflections and commitments about not doing enough.

Changing the world is the power of ordinary consumers. The daily action challenge allows ordinary consumers to share various climate actions with each other, continuously encourage one another, and influence each other.

Through this, individuals are motivated to engage in climate action easily, enjoyably, and consistently in their daily lives. Even small actions, if each person contributes just one, can add up to 7.8 billion actions worldwide. Perhaps it is these 7.8 billion small actions that will eventually change the world.