2015 Time for Global Action for People and Planet

- What Young People can do for the People and the Planet at a Local Level

 

Winner's name: Justin Chung (South Korea)

Prize: Eco-generation Prize

 

Currently, threats to the environment are significantly growing at a dangerous speed. These threats are being caused by various reasons around the world. I'm from Seoul, Korea where many ecosystem related problems can be spotted all over the city. Littering, smoking, excess use of electricity, etc. are exposed on a daily basis. In this region, polluting the environment has become a natural process and not many are motivated to change this. I truly believe that this needs to be altered to create a healthy planet. In order to settle this problem, everyone needs to contribute, especially children and youth. Just by changing the pattern of our daily lives, we can benefit the environment and resolve the issues.

 

First of all, means of transportation can hugely affect the environment. For instance, using bicycles or just walking to go places are more environment-friendly. Cars and other motor vehicles pollute the air while scooters, bicycles, skateboards, etc. do not. In addition, taking public transportations such as buses or subways can also support the environment. This is very important because pollution needs to be reduced immediately. Pollution is the major problem that causes human and animal casualties, and harms earth in detrimental ways. Among various types of pollution, air pollution is getting worse at an alarming rate and is becoming an epidemic in our society.  Secondly, recycling and preventing littering can be a big part in solving the environmental problem. Recently, I moved into a new apartment that was built just this summer. In our case, we put a lot of effort in filtering recyclable material such as cans, clothes, plastic, etc. We could?ve just thrown all these away into the garbage can, but we decided to sort these into different sections to help the cause. When we completed this process, there was a significant decrease of waste that would've otherwise caused extra pollution. This is when I realized the vital importance of recycling. Due to this personal experience, I believe that recycling can easily be done by a youth like me and gradually help achieve a greater goal. In our everyday lives, we need to remember that our tiny actions of recycling can lead into a huge change in the pollution and the way our world is running. Currently, social media is taking over the entire globe. Then isn't this the perfect chance to share the idea of saving the environment? Just one post on a blog, facebook, twitter, snapchat, instagram, etc. can remind people to be eco-friendly in their daily lives. This can easily be done by young people and is an ideal plan to benefit the ecosystem in practical ways since everyone is linked online. So remember, one small post can change the perspective of many people to be friendly to our debilitated world.

 

In conclusion, the earth is in a helpless state where people need to take action in order to survive. However, remember that it does not take a lot to help the environment. Anyone can do it regardless of age by treating the environment as if it was our own body. For example, just putting a plastic waste into the recycling bin instead of a general garbage bin will eventually help earth to be less contaminated. Through personal experiences, I realized that being eco-friendly is not difficult at all. Ways to help the environment are all around us if we just stop to think about how we can change our actions for the benefit of the environment. Even young people like me could actually help the cause by making small actions and by altering our old and bad habits.

 

 

Origin : http://tunza.eco-generation.org/noticeView.jsp?viewID=13700&searchType=&searchName=&pageNumber=1

 

Justin, Chung

[Eco-generation Green Interview] Ricky Kim 꿈나무 푸른교실 그린인터뷰 with Alberta Yoo

[Eco-generation Green Interview] Ricky Kim 꿈나무 푸른교실 그린인터뷰 with Alberta Yoo

The 5th Environment Festival at the Gwang-Hwa-Mun Square, Seoul City, on October 31, 2015

The 5th Environment Festival, sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Education, Seoul special city government, the Seoul special city Education department, and the NGO 'Art & Love' was held at the Gwang-Hwa-Mun square. The event was planned to promote public awareness on the pressing environmental issues. The fellow Eco Save Club member, Alberta Yoo participated the event as a committee member of the NGO 'Art & Love', the organization to invite public attention through members' art works.

President Obama's speech on Keystone XL remarks

For years, this topic has occupied a huge portion of our country's climate discourse. And after explaining why this pipeline "would not serve the national interest of the United States," the President called attention to the broader climate challenges facing America and the global community heading into international climate negotiations in Paris this December:

"…we’ve got to come together around an ambitious framework to protect the one planet that we’ve got while we still can. If we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, the time to act is now. Not later. Not someday. Right here, right now."
Here's the full text of his remarks -- they're worth a read.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Several years ago, the State Department began a review process for the proposed construction of a pipeline that would carry Canadian crude oil through our heartland to ports in the Gulf of Mexico and out into the world market.

This morning, Secretary Kerry informed me that, after extensive public outreach and consultation with other Cabinet agencies, the State Department has decided that the Keystone XL Pipeline would not serve the national interest of the United States. I agree with that decision.

This morning, I also had the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada. And while he expressed his disappointment, given Canada’s position on this issue, we both agreed that our close friendship on a whole range of issues, including energy and climate change, should provide the basis for even closer coordination between our countries going forward. And in the coming weeks, senior members of my team will be engaging with theirs in order to help deepen that cooperation.

Now, for years, the Keystone Pipeline has occupied what I, frankly, consider an overinflated role in our political discourse. It became a symbol too often used as a campaign cudgel by both parties rather than a serious policy matter. And all of this obscured the fact that this pipeline would neither be a silver bullet for the economy, as was promised by some, nor the express lane to climate disaster proclaimed by others.

To illustrate this, let me briefly comment on some of the reasons why the State Department rejected this pipeline.

First: The pipeline would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to our economy. So if Congress is serious about wanting to create jobs, this was not the way to do it. If they want to do it, what we should be doing is passing a bipartisan infrastructure plan that, in the short term, could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year as the pipeline would, and in the long run would benefit our economy and our workers for decades to come.

Our businesses created 268,000 new jobs last month. They’ve created 13.5 million new jobs over the past 68 straight months -- the longest streak on record. The unemployment rate fell to 5 percent. This Congress should pass a serious infrastructure plan, and keep those jobs coming. That would make a difference. The pipeline would not have made a serious impact on those numbers and on the American people’s prospects for the future.

Second: The pipeline would not lower gas prices for American consumers. In fact, gas prices have already been falling -- steadily. The national average gas price is down about 77 cents over a year ago. It’s down a dollar over two years ago. It’s down $1.27 over three years ago. Today, in 41 states, drivers can find at least one gas station selling gas for less than two bucks a gallon. So while our politics have been consumed by a debate over whether or not this pipeline would create jobs and lower gas prices, we’ve gone ahead and created jobs and lowered gas prices.

Third: Shipping dirtier crude oil into our country would not increase America’s energy security. What has increased America’s energy security is our strategy over the past several years to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels from unstable parts of the world. Three years ago, I set a goal to cut our oil imports in half by 2020. Between producing more oil here at home, and using less oil throughout our economy, we met that goal last year -- five years early. In fact, for the first time in two decades, the United States of America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries.

Now, the truth is, the United States will continue to rely on oil and gas as we transition -- as we must transition -- to a clean energy economy. That transition will take some time. But it’s also going more quickly than many anticipated. Think about it. Since I took office, we’ve doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas by 2025; tripled the power we generate from the wind; multiplied the power we generate from the sun 20 times over. Our biggest and most successful businesses are going all-in on clean energy. And thanks in part to the investments we’ve made, there are already parts of America where clean power from the wind or the sun is finally cheaper than dirtier, conventional power.

The point is the old rules said we couldn’t promote economic growth and protect our environment at the same time. The old rules said we couldn’t transition to clean energy without squeezing businesses and consumers. But this is America, and we have come up with new ways and new technologies to break down the old rules, so that today, homegrown American energy is booming, energy prices are falling, and over the past decade, even as our economy has continued to grow, America has cut our total carbon pollution more than any other country on Earth.

Today, the United States of America is leading on climate change with our investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. America is leading on climate change with new rules on power plants that will protect our air so that our kids can breathe. America is leading on climate change by working with other big emitters like China to encourage and announce new commitments to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In part because of that American leadership, more than 150 nations representing nearly 90 percent of global emissions have put forward plans to cut pollution.

America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change. And frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership. And that’s the biggest risk we face -- not acting.

Today, we’re continuing to lead by example. Because ultimately, if we’re going to prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we’re going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them and release more dangerous pollution into the sky.

As long as I’m President of the United States, America is going to hold ourselves to the same high standards to which we hold the rest of the world. And three weeks from now, I look forward to joining my fellow world leaders in Paris, where we’ve got to come together around an ambitious framework to protect the one planet that we’ve got while we still can.

If we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, the time to act is now. Not later. Not someday. Right here, right now. And I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish together. I’m optimistic because our own country proves, every day -- one step at a time -- that not only do we have the power to combat this threat, we can do it while creating new jobs, while growing our economy, while saving money, while helping consumers, and most of all, leaving our kids a cleaner, safer planet at the same time.

That’s what our own ingenuity and action can do. That's what we can accomplish. And America is prepared to show the rest of the world the way forward.

Thank you very much.

-- President Barack Obama

Environment Awareness Exhibition: At Most Fear

"At Most Fear", an exhibition created by the NGO, 'Art & Love', was held at Seoul City Hall exhibition center and Kepco Art Center, respectively in August, 2015.

The same exhibition is scheduled to be held at Flushing Town Hall, New York, NY from November 25th to 30th, 2015.

The exhibition was held to promote awareness on the climate change issue and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and endorsed by the Minister of Environment, Mr.Seong-Kyu Yoon.

Our fellow Eco Save Club members, Alberta Yoo and Ji-won Cindy Kim participated at the exhibition. Eco Save Club also became a sponsor for this meaningful and important event.

TED TALK”Patrícia Medici: The coolest animal you know nothing about … and how we can save it”

http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_medici_the_coolest_animal_you_know_nothing_about_and_how_we_can_save_it?language=en

A picture of the explosion in Tianjin, China

On August 12th, 2015, there was a massive explosion in Tianjin, China.

Because of the explosion, hundreds of people died, and there are still people that is missing. However, the real big problem with this explosion is that during the explosion, 7 tons of toxic gases, that were stored nearby, disappeared into the thin air.

The toxic gases that disappeared is known to be sodium cyanide, a type of toxic gases that explodes when it meets with water, ammonium nitrate that creates toxic fumes in fire, and etc. If these gases were exposed to the air and it starts to move around the world, it'll become a very serious problem. It might lead to another explosion-it IS a very rare case though-or very serious air pollution.

Therefore, we should keep on eye the aftermath of this explosion and make sure there are no incidents like this happening again.

By: Cindy Kim

YISS Eco-Mom devision participated, 'Water Festival', got acknowledged its effort by awarding 'Most Creative Idea' category.

YISS, EcoMom devision club, led by Michael Lee, Su-min Choi, Lindsey Choi, Daniel Kim and Alberta Yoo, participated "Water Festival", held at Seoul National University.

The event was attended by hundreds of students from elementary to secondary schools over Korea.
YISS team promoted idea of 'Replacing conventional foods with Insects' to save the environment.
YISS team came up with kids friendly mobile android application game, which is called 'Eat This!'
The team's deed was recognized by given the "Most Creative Idea" award.

The festival was sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Seoul National University graduate school of Administration & Policy, EcoMom, and LG Life & Health Care Inc.

MUNCCC (Model United Nations Climate Change Conference) @ Korea University
Delegate of Italy Position Paper

 As we all know, it is hard to neglect the fact that greenhouse gases released  from human activities are the most significant factors of climate change in 21st century. Indeed, the rate of carbon emissions from fossil fuels have significantly elevated internationally since 1900- by over 16 times between 1900 and 2008 and by about 1.5 times between 1990 and 2008. As a consequence of such dramatic elevation, climate change occurs primarily due to a thickened ozone layer and trapped gases in between the layers. More importantly, it is essential to note that climate change caused by greenhouse gases does not simply stop at environmental effect; environmental devastation often leads to other various problems as well such as social, health and economic issues.
Firstly, climate change leads to a significant damage to biodiversity. These species depend on the climate for breeding, habitat and food. If these factors start to change, so does the survival rate of these species. Not only that, the glaciers start to melt, which means that not only the animals living in the north pole, but also certain islands are in danger. In the end, the general change of the ecosystem will ultimately lead humanity into trouble.

    There are two main ways, : international cooperation, individual state policies to solve this problem. However, the most important thing is to focus on cooperation between countries. Climate change is not an issue that can be solved by the effort of one country. Since we share one atmosphere that circulates every country, the efforts of every single country is most important. Although, specific responsibilities might differ, the existence of a particular duty does not change no matter how developed or poor that country is.

    Firstly, in an international level, following the existing protocols and increasing the work of organisations is very important. There are two main organisations inside the UN, : United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC). The UNFCCC (also called the "Rio Convention") has entered into force on 21 March 1994 with the almost unanimous approval of the UN member states.
The stated goal of the UNFCCC was to prevent “dangerous human interference with the climate system” by the "stabilization of greenhouse concentrations in the atmosphere" (Article 2), which was to be achieved within a “time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change” (Article 2). This organisations had promoted major policies to solve this problem on an international level. Despite the involvement of many UN members states in the ratification of the UNFCCC, little has been changed with the efforts of nations to combat climate change (either individually or internationally). However, the convention is still considered as ‘remarkable’ for its time, since it at last recognized that climate change was an unequivocal fact and since it would be serving as a solid platform for other important international agreements in the future. However, considering the effects it had made until now, enforcement of this organisation is the first step we need to take. Second, The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in Kyoto, Japan on 11 December 1997, was an international treaty which committed parties that have ratified the UNFCCC to more specific emission reduction targets, with the UNFCCC serving as their basis. This was known as the most influencing protocol in mitigating climate change as a whole. However, one flaw that can be found on the Kyoto Protocol is that The emission targets, imposed by the Kyoto Protocol, applied mainly to developed nations (e.g. the European Union has pledged to cut GHG emissions by 8% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012, while Japan seeks to reduce emissions by 5%) while developing countries aren’t required to commit to specific targets. Looking at the fact that 50% of the GHG emissions come from developing nations, it is now time to enforce these policies on both developed and developing nations.

    Moving on to the solutions on a domestic level, it is necessary to consider the emissions made by major corporations and energy generators. To this problem, cap and trade is a policy that can effectively control the GHG emissions. Cap and trade also known as emissions trading is an environmental policy tool that delivers results with a mandatory cap on emissions. Cap and trade is the most environmentally and economically sensible approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The cap part is where the emissions of each country is limited on a certain basis. This limitation comes with the idea of “trade” too. The trade also creates carbon allowances where some can exchange the amount of emissions.  The less they emit, the less they pay, so it is in their economic incentive to pollute less.Cap and trade was understood as a very effective way because firstly, it has a strong binding power that limits the rate of the emission of greenhouse gas. Secondly, it can also allow the companies to have a plan of their emissions so that they don’t just emit greenhouse gas whenever they want.  Lastly, it is also beneficial for the companies themselves because they can change these cuts into revenue which they can trade around with other companies. This can allow further innovations and more creative ways for the companies themselves to reduce the emission.

    The delegate of Italy hopes that the committee will in the end, write an effective resolution about this agenda : devising ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This delegate believes that following the steps of the already existing ones and improving the roles could be much more effective than making a new one. Also, during the discussion, since all delegates are already aware of the impacts of climate change, the committee should focus more on talking and debating about each clause. Italy hopes for a fruitful discussion.

Bibliography
Impact of climate change on Italy: http://www.climateadaptation.eu/italy/climate-change/
CCMP – Climate Change Modelling and Policy :http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/6373/2/dp080006.pdf
Europe’s role: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/web/guest
Kyoto Protocol: http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
UNFCCC : http://newsroom.unfccc.int/

Kathy Ga Yeon Moon

Water conservation

Water is a very limited resource for us. Most water is frozen in glaciers or exists as salt water from oceans. Furthermore, desalination is a very expensive project along with trying to purify contaminated water. Some natural occurrences such as droughts further limit our usage of water. In reality, we only have one percentage of water from our planet that is available for human consumption. 

It is predicted that there will be a 40% increase on demands for water. This is due to our growing population, industries, and our agriculture needs. Not conserving our water will force projects for pipelines and sewages which costs money. Additionally, we will have to spend more funds on purifying water more regularly when we recycle the excessively used water. There will be a consequence for our economy if we keep dissipating our water. 

As time passes by, our planet suffers and loses its resources. In recent years, global warming has created an unusual rain pattern. Some countries now lack the rain they need to conserve water. Water pollution from oil spills, cigarette buds, and common trash also obstructs our availability to water.

For our civilization on our planet, individually, we must take steps to safeguard our most valuable resource. Using less water when performing simple everyday tasks such as cooking, dishwashing, showering, and gardening can make a huge difference.

By: Daniel Kim

Reference:

http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/importanceofconservationofwater/

http://www.thewaterpage.com/important-water.htm

This is a sample version that follows the real resolution published in the United Nations.
It provides background information in the preambulatory clauses and specific policies in the operative clauses.

COP Decision 1

Committee 1
Topic : Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Signatories: Japan, Norway, ROK, Russia, Sweden, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United States of America

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

            Concerned that the threats of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions driven by excessive human activity and industrialization are increasing at a dangerous rate,

            Alarmed by the imminent consequences of climate change and increasing greenhouse gases that influence the atmosphere, land, and the ocean in both developed and developing nations worldwide,

        Bearing in mind that the international society has been cooperating to reduce the Greenhouse Gases through the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord,

            Noting with deep concern that despite the past efforts of the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), net emissions of greenhouse gases yet increased by 35% from 1990 to 2010 due to the lacking political willingness of the participant nations,

            Recalling that the nature of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions requires common but differentiated responsibilities, according to the Article 3 of the Rio Convention, from all stakeholders such as organizations, corporations, and individuals,
           
            Congratulating the member states on their successful collaborative efforts to produce progress and meaningful outcome at the Bonn Climate Change Conference held in June 2014, regarding the current status of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions,



1. Calls for the formation of an international laboratory and research center managed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), composed of experts from member nations by:
          a) Agreeing to empower the UNFCCC as a medium for solving international climate change problems and promising to abide to the policies decided during the conference,
          b) Encouraging investment financial and human resources to send out experts to the developing nations by aiding from developed nations and through and the funding from the UNFCCC and  UNDP,

2. Further calls for the conduction of research on annual greenhouse gas emissions to every nation state by:
          a) Mandating nations states of the UNFCCC to report the amount of emissions in the public domestic sector, the private and public transportation, and major industries of all member states involved in the UNFCCC to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in inefficient sectors,
          b) Sending  advisory panels to nations that do not have enough  technology to collect data on greenhouse gas emissions and provide further advice on inefficient industries,

3. Requests the UNFCCC laboratory to lead and direct researchers in the areas of sustainable energy development and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with the specific goal of becoming the medium for technology sharing between both developed and developing nations in methods such as but not limited to:
          a) facilitating the cooperation between the industries or institutions and the governments of developing nations receiving the aid,
          b) directly transferring the information and expertise from international sources to the local personnel and facilities to prevent over-dependence and to promote self-sustainability in the long-term future,
          c) setting norms and standards by deciding:
                      i. the level of carbon emissions to be reduced for countries of different economic and development rates in a year to adapt to the changing industrialization and growth levels
                      ii. the number of renewable energy projects and initiatives to be approved and funded in a given period of time,
         d) acting as a unified channel and forum of communication for different nations to represent their stance on emissions to ensure that all necessary perspectives will be more effectively included in consideration,

4. Requests the international society to set an annual carbon budget upon individual nations based on the 2020 target of greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord and to establish new targets for the member states currently not involved in the Accord through means such as but not limited to:
        a) evaluating the carbon budget of each individual nation according to:
                     i. annual greenhouse gas emissions report provided to the UNFCCC laboratory, focusing on the reduction of greenhouse gases in industries with inefficient gas emission,
                     ii. annual levels of economic growth and development,
        b) urging the implementation of a monetary penalty system that targets member states that do not abide by the carbon budget and other legally binding requirements under the UNFCCC through means such as but not limited to:
                     i. creating an international standard the limit on greenhouse gas emission per metric tons,
                     ii. differing the standard based on the socioeconomic status of each country—allowing weaker standards for developing nations,
                     iii. using the gathered financial funds for running the laboratory and administering projects of the UNFCCC,
                     iv. further penalizing nation states that refuse to pay the fine through diplomatic sanctions within the United Nations such as confiscating the right to vote during the voting sessions,

5. Calls upon the governments of the member nations to economically incentivize the reduction in carbon emissions to render their consumption more environmentally responsible through means such as but not limited to:
      a) setting carbon budgets to limit the amount of greenhouse gases that private corporations are allowed to emit over a specified time,
     b) implementing a climate levy, a tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users within the nation, to provide an incentive to increase energy efficiency through means such as but not limited to:
                 i. allowing a specific percent of discount from the levy to sectors that agree to improve their energy efficiency or to reduce carbon emissions,




Kathy Ga Yeon Moon
  


Current EU policies

ENTRACTE_Report_Current_Policies.pdf

EU currently passed a EU Climate and Energy Package in 2009 which contains two climate related targets for the year 2020. The targets are firstly, twenty percent reduction in green house gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. Secondly, 20 % reduction of final energy consumption compared to business as usual through improved energy efficiency.
Also, in the case of the GHG emissions reduction target, the EU has established the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) which caps the emissions of the energy intensive industries and power generators at the EU level. Trade in emissions permits allows firms that are subject to the EU ETS to implement the emissions reductions cost efficiently.


Reference : http://entracte-project.eu/uploads/media/
Kathy Ga Yeon Moon

Cap and Trade

There are diverse ways into solving the environmental problems inside our society. This includes governmental work and societal work.

One policy suggested in a governmental level is a Cap and trade is an environmental policy tool that delivers results with a mandatory cap on emissions while providing sources flexibility in how they comply. Successful cap and trade programs reward innovation, efficiency, and early action and provide strict environmental accountability without inhibiting economic growth.

Examples of successful cap and trade programs include the nationwide Acid Rain Program and the regional NOx Budget Trading Program in the Northeast. Additionally, EPA issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) on March 10, 2005, to build on the success of these programs and achieve significant additional emission reductions.

Reference : United States Environmental protection agency


Kathy Ga Yeon Moon

United Nations Climate Talks in NYC

As members of the United Nations prepare to finalize a climate resolution in Paris in the following months, they met in a preemptive meeting here in New York to continue revising the resolution draft. Nell Greenfieldboyce, a radio journalist at NPR gave readers a brief insight into the issues being discussed in the U.N. representatives' forum (link below). The Paris resolution would represent the first time both developed and developing nations would pool ideas and resources to counter the mounting effects of adverse climate change.

This new attempt to formulate an effective answer to global warming comes from an unsuccessful plan to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius annually from several years ago. Currently, the discussions touch on several questions, including how member nations will be held accountable for their promises and through what mechanism the plan will be financed. A plausible answer to the finance question seems to be a $100 billion package from the developed nations to set developing nations on the road to greener industrialization. However, much progress still has yet to be made as plans from several major nations, including Brazil and China, have yet to be reviewed.

Young Joon Kim

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/29/418641168/u-n-holds-climate-talks-in-new-york-ahead-of-paris-meeting

Elephants abused for tourist show

When I went to Thailand a few years ago, I had a chance to watch exciting elephant show and ride. I witnessed elephants dancing, playing football, and even painting.  It looked like elephants were enjoying the process as well.  However, after hearing about various ways elephants were abused while being trained for the show I felt very sorry for the elephants and disturbed for the abuse they had to go through.

Elephants are essential in Thailand to attract visitors and for tourist trades. Behind the scenes, they use many torture methods to transform them from wild animals into obedient and tourist friendly creatures. In addition, many elephants are abused to get prepared for a circus. One of the methods of abuse was chaining the elephants into a confined pen that is way too small for the elephant to move. Then they constantly beat the animal with sharp instruments and they starve them for days or even weeks. This kind of torture makes the elephants’ mental strength collapse and sometimes takes away their sanity as well. Sadly, about 95% of Thailand’s animals are domesticated working animals ,while in Africa they are set free to roam around like they are supposed  to.

This form of elephant abuse was also detected out side of Thailand as well.  Other countries with similar elephant circus have halted their use of elephants in the show to prevent the abuse. For example, The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & and Bailey Circus announced that they will stop using elephants from 2018. In addition, all activities involving elephants were banned in Las Vegas recently. In order to protect the innocent elephants around the globe, any performances promoting animal abuse should all be prohibited.
 
The way we can help is by not watching these type of shows or circus as it would help prevent people from economically benefitting from them. We may also inform others about the reality of elephant cruelty in our society and find ways to protect these elephants.



Source : www.wildlifeextra.com, www.google.com
Images : Google images

Posted by Justin,Chung

Household air pollution

Around 3 billion people would rely on sources like wood, charcoal, and coal to produce heat. These people suffer from the hazardous pollutants that emerges from these unreliable sources of fuel. Poor indoor air qualities could trigger health problems in the lungs of the exposed. Some symptoms might include: headaches, fatigue, asthma symptoms, dizziness, and allergy. According to WHO, it is estimated that around 4.3 million die each ear from indoor air pollution. Since we spend a lot of time indoors, we should be aware of the pollutants that may be in our surroundings.

posted by: Daniel Kim

http://www.who.int/indoorair/en/
https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/air-quality/indoor-air-quality

Pope Francis' latest encyclical on Environment

There are many fine things about Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si,'" not least because it adds poetry to an issue that is saturated with technocratic and political heaviness. His opening paragraph immediately puts the reader in a different space, reminding us of our interconnectedness with all of life on earth. By quoting St. Francis of Assisi, he describes the earth as our sister, "with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us." Not the normal terminology in a document on climate change. He goes on to evoke an image of our small blue planet, whirling in an infinite blackness as a common home. No matter what color, religion, nationality or gender, we are all in this together. 

The drama of a warming world unfolding before us requires us all to act now and face the future with honesty and determination. The content and its directness is refreshing and combines anger at injustice with hope that we will find a solution.

The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.

"The Roman Catholic Church is global, it is unified and it has one figurehead who is respected as a statesman. There is no other institution in the world like it."

The first thing to understand is why this intervention is important. The Roman Catholic Church is global, it is unified and it has one figurehead who is respected as a statesman. There is no other institution in the world like it, religious or secular. It speaks to its billion members distributed around the globe with a unified voice through a regulated network. Go anywhere and attend a mass and you will be able to follow the ritual, despite language and cultural differences. 

Yet there are distinctive local flavors that anchor the faithful to church that is at once universal and parochial. It is a unique institution, with a leader who has the pulling power of a superstar. Love it or hate it, the Roman Catholic Church is a phenomenon.

There are other important considerations. The Roman Catholic Church shares with other faiths the ability to galvanize people to act from a spiritual well founded on love of God and neighbor rather than political doctrine. When an issue is viewed through spiritual eyes, it is seen differently. 

A new dimension comes into play that touches deep recesses, demanding we bring our humanity into play, not just our intellectual or political affiliation. It seems a cliché to quote Gus Speth, the former dean of forestry and environmental studies at Yale, but no one has really put it better:

I used to think that top global environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy, and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation.

In walks Pope Francis onto the climate change stage.

The messages of the encyclical are stark. Climate change will have "grave implications" for all of humanity, rich and poor, but mainly the poor who are already struggling to cope with the inequalities thrust on them by over consumption and indifference of the richer nations: 

Many of those who possess more resources and economic or political power seem mostly to be concerned with masking the problems or concealing their symptoms, simply making efforts to reduce some of the negative impacts of climate change.

He blasts those who deny the evidence before their eyes and has no patience with apathy or inertia. When it comes to acting for "the common good," (that deeply Catholic phrase that is at the heart of the church's social teaching), there is no get out clause. Members of the Catholic hierarchy who have denied climate change arecastigated:

The attitudes that stand in the way of a solution, even among believers, range from negation of the problem, to indifference, to convenient resignation or blind faith in technical solutions.

The Sin of Wastefulness

The encyclical doesn't stop at just climate change though. Refreshingly we are reminded of the sin of wastefulness, greed, pollution and, joyfully for me, loss of biodiversity. 

Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost for ever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.

In some ways the most important thing "Laudato Si'" has done is turn the scientific, opaque and frightening climate change issue into something three dimensional and human. The simplicity of the language appeals directly to the moral center of a loving, complicated, chaotic yet broken humanity. Quite simply it says look around, grieve for the damage, reach out to those who are in need, love the earth and all its wonderful life forms and change for the better. He sees our response to the destabilizing of a warming world as a journey which will challenge us to our core but will ultimately bring about peace and justice. 

Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.

If only such poetry were more commonplace in this very disturbing debate.

By Mary Colwell Author, “John Muir: The Scotsman Who Saves America’s Wild Places.” and Producer, BBC’s “Shared PlanetOriginal article from the "Huffington Post"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-colwell/pope-francis-climate-change-poetry_b_7615558.html

Overfishing

   Overfishing is a reoccurring issue that affects the ecosystem negatively. The seas were considered to be filled with an unlimited supply of food. However, a lot of significant commercial fish species are in danger of being extinct. There must be actions taken to restrict fishing for some species in order to maintain the balance in the ecosystem. For example, if we keep on fishing larger fish like tunas, we will be receiving a larger population of small marine creatures. 

Resources: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing

By: Daniel Kim