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Earth in danger: Toward a new planet

KIPA, KT begin 50-part series on risk governance There is no denying that the Earth, as we know it, is in danger. The entire planet is suffering from environmental devastation, including climate change, every conceivable type of pollution, ecological destruction and the depletion of natural resources. The results are mind-numbing. There is widespread flooding and droughts, typhoons and tsunamis, heat waves and a wide range of other natural disasters. As if the environmental predicament was not enough, the world is facing every conceivable type of threat and instability, from the breakdown of the global financial system to economic recession in all corners, and the subsequent damage to the most basic quality of life. Increasingly, there is recognition that the Earth and its inhabitants no longer have the luxury of waiting and hoping for the best. It is high time that the realities are accepted at face value and the world must make concerted efforts to determine in more exact terms what the current situation implies for mankind and bring this information to people everywher

Feb 6, 2012

Eco-Tourism Case for Wise Use of Wetlands

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter CHANGWON ― The wise linkage of wetlands with ecological tourism could be a new type of sustainable business model that protects the environment and benefits residents in the region, according to Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Minister Chung Jong-hwan. ``Suncheon Bay in South Jeolla Province has seen a six-fold increase in tourism since its inclusion on the Ramsar Convention list for preservation. It has become one of the most visited places for local residents, while more foreign tourists are also coming for a taste of the wetlands,'' Minister Chung said in an interview Tuesday. The Convention has shed light on how wetlands and nature in general could benefit people, he added. Concerning the ``wise use of wetland,'' the minister offered a pragmatic approach. Jeong said with research on the environmental and functional aspects of the wetland, it could be available for human use. ``I think the term `wise use' is similar to sustainable development ― not shunning people from the environment, but still seeking to conserve the sites' ma

Nov 4, 2008

Participants Join Efforts to Offset Carbon Emission

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter CHANGWON ― The Ramsar Convention has not been a merely ceremonial event but an environmental festival, in which participants contributed towards reducing climate change. More than 15 million won ($12,700) was collected from more than 2,300 people to make the convention a carbon neutral one. ``Carbon neutrality'' is achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent offset. It is used to describe the practice of paying others to remove or requester 100 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted, such as by planting tress or funding that could lead to the prevention of future emissions. Alongside using mugs, riding bicycles to the convention and other efforts, a 2008 Changwon Ramsar Carbon offset fund was created to help developing countries with clean development mechanism (CDM) and wetland protection projects. Participants calculated the amount of carbon released due to their travel for the trip by establishing the amount of gas emitted. Prices were fixed according to the World Bank

Nov 4, 2008

Ramsar Adopts Changwon Declaration

Korea Decides to Report All Changes Made in Wetlands to Next Convention in 2012 By Park Si-soo Staff Reporter CHANGWON ㅡ A Korea government-led declaration envisioning a way of harmonizing humanity and nature was adopted at the close of the Ramsar Convention, Tuesday, setting five themes in conserving the world's wetlands. The ``Changwon Declaration'' highlights positive action for ensuring human well-being and security in the future under the themes ㅡ water, climate change, people's livelihood and health, land use change, and biodiversity, Korean delegates said. ``The declaration is different from other issues discussed during the session as it offers practical measures and ways to assure it will have an impact,'' a delegate said. Ahead of the convention's closing, Korea's two ministries responsible for wetland conservation ㅡ the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritimes Affairs and the Ministry of Environment ㅡ reached a consensus to report changes made over the next three years in 20 ``Wetland Protection Areas'' and 32 ``Ecosystem Landscape Conservation Areas''

Nov 4, 2008

3 More Wetlands Will Be Conserved Under Ramsar

By Park Si-soo Staff Reporter CHANGWON ㅡ The government will add three more wetlands in Korea to the Ramsar Convention's list for conservation next year, raising the number of Ramsar-listed wetlands here to 14. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said Tuesday it's working to give three more coastal wetlands the status of a Ramsar-listed site. The three are located in Jangbong Island, Incheon; Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province; and Gomso Bay, North Jeolla Province. The three candidates have already been under the government-led ``wetland conservation program,'' the ministry said in a statement. In particular, the wetland in Jangbong Island, measured at 68.4 square kilometers, is the largest among those under the government's conservation program and has served as an important habitat for such endangered species as the Chinese Egret and Oystercatcher, it added. The ministry plans to hand over the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) containing information about Jangbong Island to the Ramsar administration this week to provide essential data. Adopted i

Nov 4, 2008

Environment Is Business

Governor Stresses Pragmatic Use of Wetlands By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter ``The environment is everyone's business, and that's why the Ramsar Convention for the wise use of wetland is important,'' Kim Tae-ho, governor of South Gyeongsang Province, said Monday. In an interview with The Korea Times, the local administration chief stressed pragmatism. He said that by preserving wetland, encouraging green growth could be a short cut to enhancing people's livelihood. ``Let's take Japan as an example. After Toyooka city set its hand to environmental matters and sought a habitat for cranes, the number of tourists spiked and the city became a symbol of environmental friendliness ― that's the branding effect of a region,'' he said. ``The town now has all kinds of products with their crane brand,'' he said. ``If we manage to give people the impression that Korean products, especially from south Gyeongsang, are clean and green, I am sure a large number of people will be willing to buy them at any cost ― we could raise prices by 20-30 percent and still sell,'' he said, str

Nov 3, 2008

Artworks Render Convention Friendly to Children

By Park Si-soo Staff Reporter CHANGWON ㅡ With heating discussions on wetland protection at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center, the main venue for the Ramsar Convention, a throng of people, including toddlers and students, are also gathering here to enjoy the environment festival. Drawing their foremost attention was a huge green bamboo ark installed in front of the building's main entrance. Two solar electric panels were on the rooftop instead of a wooden sail to generate the electricity needed to operate gadgets inside. Several white swans made from abandoned tires and gas can-made ant warriors escorted the vessel, a green tree made of abandoned light poles the backdrop. ``Our adorable penguins are sick because of warming climate. But they will recover soon if we save electricity and other energy resources,'' Lee Hwan, an installation artist and goodwill ambassador for the Environment Ministry, said to dozens of children. ``The Ramsar Convention is a good opportunity for environmental education. But it's limitedly open to the public and subjects of the me

Nov 3, 2008

Put Preservation Ahead of Development

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter What goes around comes around and the environment is no exception. Destroying the environment for money will come back with even greater financial consequences, this year's Ramsar Award winner for management Denis Landenbergue of Switzerland said. In his interview with The Korea Times, he warned that the hasty development of wetlands could cause even more environmental and financial damage to people. He used his hometown as an example of how massive multinational companies' industrial facilities dominated the wetlands. ``Back then, I visited the authorities and companies to ask for withdrawal of their decision because the wetland was severely polluted due to the facilities but they wouldn't listen,'' he said. As time passed the companies were in need of larger space for more facilities. The companies decided to relocate but it wasn't such happy ending, he said. When the municipal government realized the importance of wetland they had to provide incentives for the companies to move. It provided lower costs and partially subsidized their re

Nov 3, 2008

Participants Put Lessons of Ramsar Into Practice

By Park Si-soo Staff Reporter CHANGWON ㅡ The Ramsar Convention's endeavor to conserve the environment is not confined to the meeting itself. Participants and operators of the convention have joined together to use eco-friendly products during the session. ``Every document published by the Ministry of Environment is printed on `eco-friendly' paper using eco-friendly soybean ink,'' said Lee Im-ho, a local staff member from the Korea Eco-Products Institute, Monday. ``Its price is nearly 1,000 won ($0.8) higher per box than regular materials but we selected this as a move to cooperate with the meeting.'' To win the hallmark of ``eco-friendly,'' a sheet of paper must be comprised of at least 40 percent recycled paper and avoid undergoing a chemical coating procedure using fluorescent substances. ``The pencils we dole out to convention participants are fully made of recycled materials and were put together without chemical glue, which also negatively affects nature,'' Lee said. Frames of stages for the convention and side events were mainly wooden but were assembled usi

Nov 3, 2008

Korean Wetlands Impress Ramsar Participants

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Wetlands in southern parts of Korea captured the hearts of participants at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands. On Sunday's excursion to Ramsar-enlisted wetlands and cultural historical sites, attendees expressed satisfaction and surprise. Categorized into different courses with different themes ranging from ``Wetlands and Birds,'' ``Wetlands and Culture,'' ``Wetlands and the Environment,'' ``Environment and Nature,'' and ``Wetlands and Temples,'' seven routes were developed to allow more than 500 participants catch a glimpse of Korea's wetlands. Among their must-see list were Upo wetlands, Junam Reservoir wetlands, Bongam tidal island, Wangdeungjae wetlands, Woegok wetlands, and Suncheon Bay in Jeolla Province, alongside relics of ancient kings and renowned temples such as Haeinsa. Visitors were able to see rare birds and ducks paddling in the wetlands. Listening to professional eco-tour guides' explanations, the environmental experts shared their ideas on the sites. At the country'

Nov 2, 2008
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