“No Spending Day” in Mokpo — Shincheonji Volunteer Group Inspires Eco-Friendly Living by the Sea

Community joins hands for carbon neutrality at Gatbawi Coastal Park

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Mokpo Branch held an eco-friendly event at Gatbawi in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, on November 8, encouraging citizens and visitors to take part in “No Spending Day” and put carbon neutrality into action through hands-on environmental experiences.

This campaign, aimed at promoting resource conservation and carbon reduction, drew positive participation from citizens while supporting Mokpo City’s Green City Initiative.

A Global Movement for Sustainable Consumption

According to the Mokpo branch, No Spending Day was first established in 1992 as a global campaign against overconsumption during Black Friday.
Each year, people around the world observe the day on November 26, choosing to pause consumption for 24 hours to raise awareness of sustainability and reduce unnecessary waste.

In line with this international movement, the Mokpo branch set up an interactive eco-experience booth at the scenic Gatbawi coastline — a symbolic site where autumn foliage meets the sea. The area is currently being developed into the Gatbawi Local Park as part of Mokpo’s broader plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through urban forests, green transportation, and resource recycling projects.

Creative Ways to Reuse and Reduce

At the event, volunteers guided citizens through small but impactful eco-lifestyle activities that can easily be practiced at home.
The booth featured programs such as:

• Eco-bag decorating

• Calligraphy postcard making

• Sea-glass diffuser crafting (recycling ocean glass waste)

• Natural dish soap making

Participants also wrote personal pledges on colorful Post-it notes under the theme “One day without buying for the Earth.”
Many reflected on their daily habits, committing to reduce consumption and practice reuse in their everyday lives.

One participant shared,

“I didn’t know there was a day called ‘No Spending Day.’ It made me realize even the Earth deserves a break once in a while. From now on, I’ll always bring my tumbler when I go to cafés.”

Another attendee, who joined the eco-bag craft with family, said,

“I’ve always known protecting the environment is important, but I rarely put it into action. Making my own eco-bag today gave me motivation to use it more often.”

A Small Pause for the Planet

A representative from the Mokpo Branch explained,

“November is a season when consumption increases as we prepare for the holidays. Thinking twice before buying can make a big difference for the planet. We hope this campaign helps people shift from overconsumption to thoughtful, sustainable living.”

Through this initiative, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to lead community-based environmental action, showing how everyday choices — even deciding not to buy — can help restore the Earth and inspire mindful living.

Source: https://vo.la/KMy5hx4