If you look around, you could feel that the dying earth has been turned back into its vivid self. That's why the government adopted a new paradigm called Green Growth, because of the global energy problem. The Dankook Herald will introduce where Green Growth came from and what it means via this article. According to this paradigm we will suggest many kinds of campaigns in different fields and why we should keep going with this movement in each house. Also we will present eco-friendly products.

Everybody would know that the air near the earth's surface is filled with dirty smog from overused energy. However, there is a bigger problem than overused energy; the problem is to stop the depletion of fossil fuel energy. Korea is the 7th largest energy consuming country in the world. Its dependence rate of energy is up to 97% of its energy demand. From this point of time, earlier this year, the government announced an energy master plan called 'Low Carbon, Green Growth.' This plan means to convert the established plan of which importance was attached to just economic growth into eco-friendly economic growth. This new model shows that economic growth would make the environment clean.

The government has been practicing some drives of Low Carbon, Green Growth. One of them is ‘Keep the Reasonable Temperature of Indoor.’ Also, Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) is ready to increase usage rate of bicycles in the public transportation system from 1.2% up to 5% by 2013. To make bike paths, MLTM activated 'Action Plan for the Use of the Bike.' Even if the government has tried to do many activities for years, there are no good effects. So a thought about ' Green Growth from the house' prevails these days. There is a good example: 'Eco-Mom,' which was made by the spread of this thinking.

 

DKH interviewed an anonymous Eco-Mom, who is activating on off-line.

Q1. What is Eco-Mom and what kind of work does Eco-Mom do?

Actually, there is no word called Eco-Mom. But these days it means house wives who are interested in an Eco-Friendly Household to protect the environment. Their main activity is to reduce the household waste, use eco-friendly products and also educate housewives for being Eco-Moms.

Q2. What requirements are needed for being Eco-Moms?

There is no regulation to be Eco-Mom exactly. Just think about the earth as a symbiotic relationship and practice things like "Do not use disposable products," "Do not leave foods" etc.

Q3. Is there any effects that influenced our community, after Eco-Mom was made?

Maybe, the most remarkable one of effects is to learn to save the earth for our children. Then, this movement will be part of our society, not a short-lived trend.

Another is ‘No Cars on the Road Day.’ This movement has been held, at September 22, every year in the national capital region. While this campaign is going on, at rush hours, the national capital region not only offers subway and bus for free, but also installs temporary drive ways for the bikes.

In this connection, we would like to introduce Eco-products and contents of culture to be born. From foodstuffs to inventions as well as fashion, it would herald in eco-friendly fads. At hand, you could find goods from eco-friendly labels. For example, 'Eco Label' is put on a lot of materials and 'Eco-Products Farm Certification Label' is marked on the groceries wrapper, etc. As 'Eco Labeling' is enforced by the government to meet the consumers' concern, consumers can purchase goods after checking these marks.

There have been many eco-contests. One of the most famous contests of eco-invention is ‘Greener Gadgets 2009.’ In this contest, ‘Beware Water Meter’ is one of the most popular products and shows how much water is used. This product draws its power from the water stream when water flows inside it, then it starts to count. So you could be aware of the water you use. ‘RITI Printer’ invented by a Korean uses coffee or tea dregs as ink. Users can save the money from buying ink, the burden of wasted things, to spend on the electricity. Of course, you can smell a whif of coffee or tea from the paper as a bonus.

DKH visited ‘Fashion Ethics-Wear Good’ exhibition, the example of a eco-friendly phenomenon that focuses on the idea of ethical fashion, which has recently become a hot issue in the fashion industry. Many artists’ works, based on eco-material, recycling and fair trade, are displayed in this exhibition. Especially dresses made of alternative fiber from eco-friendly materials such as corn or nettle by Kyoung-Jae Lee, attracted people’s attention.

Green wave has begin to settle in our society as one of cultures; it emphasizes a broad view like not only changing laws and systems but also making practices in our daily life. It means that people think the earth as a partner in a symbiotic relationship. Therefore Green Growth will be an important key to solve energy and environmental problems that we face. Also, this paradigm can offer a new model for economic growth and change the life style of us.