By Bernard Rowan
The 21st century continues to see environmental degradation and global environmental threats. South Korea's openness to innovation and eco-friendly technologies speaks well for the government and her people.
Recently, Gangwon Province and Governor Choi Moon-soon carried out the Jeongseon Forum 2021. This international conference of leaders in government, academia, and the private sector showcased much of what has contributed to Gangwon's recent and planned developments. Its theme and speakers pointed to a better path for South Korea, the region and the family of developed and developing nations.
As part of the event, I enjoyed interviewing Yoo Yeong-cheol, former ambassador for Climate Change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, Yoo serves as vice chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Yoo shared with me some of the major threats to sustainable environments and barriers to addressing issues of climate change. These include fear and resistance to change, moving from short- to long-term thinking, planning centered on the environment, and inclusiveness in related efforts. The public needs greater awareness that human existence is one of coexistence with nature and the environment. Yoo spoke from a framework of ecological peace and harmony with nature as the foundation for social change and for a 21st century economy and society.
Yoo shared that in the past, the Jeongseon region was the main mining area in Korea, but that as time continued, the mines reached their limits. The need arose for regeneration. Today, planning must consider energy sources' renewability and their impacts on ecology. He shared the idea of a "circular economy" that centers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the wastefulness of excess weight and calories, or mass consumption. The present society is one of comparative abundance, mass production and excess consumption. We must adopt energy reduction and fight the greed in economic and consumption activity.
Yoo understands sustainability in relation to time. He stressed the long term and inclusiveness. He also highlighted regional and international linkages, since the environment in Korea experiences events stemming from causes in other countries, and conversely. Yoo said our growth mindsets are becoming untenable. It's a matter of survival or prosperity, and survival has priority.
Yoo also stressed that Korea as a developed nation has seen qualified success in saving her forests and mountains, and much of her native habitat. Growth has occurred with an emphasis on green development, the environment and sustainability. An emphasis on survival must include the needs of future generations.
I also interviewed Governor Choi Moon-soon. Speaking with this visionary leader is like enjoying the clear air on top of Mount Geumgang. His province has dedicated itself to carbon neutrality by 2040. He's begun the difficult transition from fossil fuels to liquid hydrogen sources. In cooperation with localities and companies, his government will minimize non-biodegradable hazards like plastic bottles and work to protect forests.
Choi stressed that environmental regard isn't necessarily an enemy of growth. However, it implies many transitions and changes in the ways that humans produce and consume goods and services, as well as in the priority given environmental impacts and effects.
I asked Governor Moon about the children, since what adults do or don't do today creates their world and their headaches, as well as possibilities. His comments were striking. "Young people are facing the potential crisis of extinction as a species." He elaborated that we owe them much to correct for the wrongdoings of present and recent generations. We are running out of time to secure our environment's and the human species' long-term survival. Inaction omens ruin in real ways. The root causes of social evils include ignoring and degrading the environment. To survive and grow further, much must change.
Choi ended the interview by highlighting his goal of making the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics a showcase. The world will see Gangwon's progress toward a brighter future. From Jeongseon, survival follows an awareness of Gangwon's carbon-free and eco-friendly post-advanced development for a better Korea, region and world. Humanity's survival depends on nothing less.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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Recently, Gangwon Province and Governor Choi Moon-soon carried out the Jeongseon Forum 2021. This international conference of leaders in government, academia, and the private sector showcased much of what has contributed to Gangwon's recent and planned developments. Its theme and speakers pointed to a better path for South Korea, the region and the family of developed and developing nations.
As part of the event, I enjoyed interviewing Yoo Yeong-cheol, former ambassador for Climate Change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, Yoo serves as vice chair of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Yoo shared with me some of the major threats to sustainable environments and barriers to addressing issues of climate change. These include fear and resistance to change, moving from short- to long-term thinking, planning centered on the environment, and inclusiveness in related efforts. The public needs greater awareness that human existence is one of coexistence with nature and the environment. Yoo spoke from a framework of ecological peace and harmony with nature as the foundation for social change and for a 21st century economy and society.
Yoo shared that in the past, the Jeongseon region was the main mining area in Korea, but that as time continued, the mines reached their limits. The need arose for regeneration. Today, planning must consider energy sources' renewability and their impacts on ecology. He shared the idea of a "circular economy" that centers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the wastefulness of excess weight and calories, or mass consumption. The present society is one of comparative abundance, mass production and excess consumption. We must adopt energy reduction and fight the greed in economic and consumption activity.
Yoo understands sustainability in relation to time. He stressed the long term and inclusiveness. He also highlighted regional and international linkages, since the environment in Korea experiences events stemming from causes in other countries, and conversely. Yoo said our growth mindsets are becoming untenable. It's a matter of survival or prosperity, and survival has priority.
Yoo also stressed that Korea as a developed nation has seen qualified success in saving her forests and mountains, and much of her native habitat. Growth has occurred with an emphasis on green development, the environment and sustainability. An emphasis on survival must include the needs of future generations.
I also interviewed Governor Choi Moon-soon. Speaking with this visionary leader is like enjoying the clear air on top of Mount Geumgang. His province has dedicated itself to carbon neutrality by 2040. He's begun the difficult transition from fossil fuels to liquid hydrogen sources. In cooperation with localities and companies, his government will minimize non-biodegradable hazards like plastic bottles and work to protect forests.
Choi stressed that environmental regard isn't necessarily an enemy of growth. However, it implies many transitions and changes in the ways that humans produce and consume goods and services, as well as in the priority given environmental impacts and effects.
I asked Governor Moon about the children, since what adults do or don't do today creates their world and their headaches, as well as possibilities. His comments were striking. "Young people are facing the potential crisis of extinction as a species." He elaborated that we owe them much to correct for the wrongdoings of present and recent generations. We are running out of time to secure our environment's and the human species' long-term survival. Inaction omens ruin in real ways. The root causes of social evils include ignoring and degrading the environment. To survive and grow further, much must change.
Choi ended the interview by highlighting his goal of making the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics a showcase. The world will see Gangwon's progress toward a brighter future. From Jeongseon, survival follows an awareness of Gangwon's carbon-free and eco-friendly post-advanced development for a better Korea, region and world. Humanity's survival depends on nothing less.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
