06 May2019

YSP Implements the Environmental Messiah Project

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During a Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) Peace Designer seminar, the young adult leaders of the Korean Evangelical Association (KEA) in New York designed a project called “Environmental Messiah” to address the waste and single-use items accumulated weekly after Sunday Service, which contributes to the global pollution problem.

Norman Shafto, a young Unificationist with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy, has always been passionate about taking care of nature. “The Environmental Messiah Project aims to reduce the amount of waste generated at the KEA New York location and guide the community in developing a culture of environmental stewardship,” he said.

The project was originally initiated with God’s third blessing in mind ⎼ to have dominion over creation. “That means we are to care for and live harmoniously with our environment,” Norman continued. Along with Norman,  Nicole Park, Teresa Park, HyungHo Seo, and KEA YSP Coordinator JeongEun Choi were also part of the team to develop the project.

Partnering with the SungHwa students, the project officially kicked off on April 21, the day before Earth Day. That Sunday, all single-use items, such as styrofoam cups and paper plates, were replaced with reusable items. Unificationists were also encouraged to bring their own reusable cups and bottles, which they did enthusiastically. “We are so grateful for the immense support from community leaders and members who are eager to be a part of the change,” project member Nicole Park said. Moving forward, KEA plans to gradually switch to reusable items permanently and implement a community dishwashing schedule.

Projects like these are key to achieving a number of the Sustainable Development Goals. The reduction of toxic single-use items leads to increased health and well-being, and fosters the development of sustainable cities and communities.

Norman encourages communities to begin similar projects in other areas, stating, “Recycling is a start, but reduction is better.”

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  • Caroline

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    Great initiarive. We need it.

    Reply

  • Gregg Jones

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    Hi,
    Really like the “recycling starts with me” theme and “recycling is a start, but reduction is better.”
    Is it possible that you could share the poster presentation documents? We would like to do something here at the MD Church to teach the community here as well.
    HJIFUS team is here to present the materials. Or maybe Mr. Shafto could and do a presentation here!

    THank you, Gregg Jones

    Reply

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