Car-Free Day Across the Capital
Usually Jongno Street in downtown Seoul is jammed-packed with cars on a typical Monday morning.
But this Monday there were no cars only a few buses, ruling the empty road.
This is because it's 'Car-Free Day' here in the capital.
This is the second year the city of Seoul has designated September 22nd as 'Car-Free Day' in an attempt to have at least one day a year to clear the roads of traffic and pollutants.
And according to reports from the inaugural event if people leave their cars at home for just one day, carbon dioxide emissions will fall 1-thousand-240 tons which is the equivalent of a 10 percent reduction on a normal day.
So with cleaner and quieter streets Seoul residents were encouraged to leave their cars at home and use public transportation.
No cars were allowed between 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jongno Street and Chonggye Stream Road with public parking lots also closed.
And to lend a helping hand on this "green" day the city provided free bus and subway services to commuters from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
The first national Car-Free Day was held in Britain in 1997 and more than 2-thousand cities in 40 countries are now participating.
Kim Nari, Arirang News.
SEP 23, 2008
VOCABULARY LIST :
jam-packed - full of people or things that are pushed closely together
designate - to state officially that a place or thing has a particular character or purpose
emission - when gas, heat, light, etc. is sent out
DISCUSSION POINTS :
1. Describe the roads in your city on a typical Monday morning.
2. What do you think about Seoul's "Car Free Day" ?
- If student is a Seoul resident: Was traffic better last Sept. 22?
3. Is Monday a good day to have the "Car Free Day". Explain why.
4. Do you think holding this event once a year is enough?
5. Should other Korean cities also have a "Car Free Day" ?
6. Do you think cars are the main cause of air pollution? Why or why not?
7. What would our world be like if there were no cars?