Good morning, fellow Koreans,

Last Friday was already Ipchu, the onset of autumn by the lunar calendar. Now is the time for us to prepare for the fall harvest and brace for possible typhoons.

At the extended G8 Summit held in Italy earlier last month, the participating leaders agreed to limit the average rise in global temperatures by no more than two degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels. The average temperature of the globe has risen by 0.74o Celsius over the past century. Worse yet, the average temperature of Korea has more than doubled the global average for the same period.

Reports of polar bears starving to death due to melting Arctic ice now are beginning to hit home. Pollock is disappearing from the East Sea because of global warming. Pine trees in the southern part of the peninsula are threatened. Apples, once a local specialty of Daegu City, are now produced in the provinces north of the country’s mid section. Sea levels in some part of the country are rising faster than the world average.

As a matter of fact, it is difficult for us to imagine what kind of huge impact a two-degree Celcius rise in temperature will have. Some specialists predict that about 20 percent of animal and plant species would become extinct. The damage would be truly devastating, indeed.

The main culprit behind global warming is greenhouse gases. They are produced when such fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas are used as energy sources. The solution is to stop or reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. To this end, it is imperative to make efforts to curtail the emission of carbon dioxide through the development of innovative technologies, including new and renewable energy and electric-powered vehicles.

In addition, tremendous investments will be necessary to address the problem of global warming. It, therefore, constitutes a crisis and, at the same time, an opportunity to help create a vast market.

On the other hand, if countries are not able to meet the international targets for greenhouse gas reduction, they will likely lose their export markets. The so-called “carbon trade barriers” may serve as a potentially fatal impediment to Korea’s export-dependent economy if the country just sits idly by.

In the past, Korea’s progress was held back by a lack of natural resources, but the country will now be able to move ahead with green technologies. At the G8 Summit last month, it was even selected as the leading nation in the development of the intelligent power network dubbed “smart grid,” one of the future green technologies.

On top of this, countless jobs can be created through other cutting-edge, highly efficient green products, including the next-generation batteries and green cars.

Fellow citizens,

There is one thing even more important than green technologies. That is no other than a green lifestyle. It will take much more time and money to develop green technologies, but a green lifestyle can be practiced by anyone right away, even from today.

According to the International Energy Agency, it is possible to cut the emission of greenhouse gases by a third by saving energy and using it efficiently. Thus, conservation is said to be the fifth energy.

Korea is virtually 100 percent dependent on imports to meet its energy needs. A 10 percent drop in total energy imports would help the nation save more than 10 trillion won annually. However, my perception of saving is not just confined to the economic front. To my way of thinking, saving is the most humanitarian act of taking into consideration the well-being of all our neighbors.

The carbon dioxide emitted by a four-member family for a month amounts to more than 700kg. Of the total, over 400kg are from heating and cooking while over 300kg are from vehicle use. Scholars point out that a family could offset its carbon footprint by planting about 3,000 pine trees every year.

A round trip between Seoul and Busan by car is known to produce 200kg of carbon dioxide, which constitutes the very reason behind the campaign encouraging the use of public transportation such as trains even if it causes some inconvenience.

The Korean word “to save” also means “to value” something. “To value” something has the same meaning as “to love” it. To put it differently, the way to love the people, the sky, the earth, the woods and water is to save or value them, which I reckon is the value of a green life. For instance, Korea has become one of leading nations in terms of the waste separation and collection system. Though a latecomer, Korea has become an advanced nation in the area.

The reason why I see bright prospects for our nation’s green growth can be found in that precedent. I trust the Korean people who, once motivated, join forces and pull off greater achievements than anyone else. I am convinced that my fellow Koreans have sufficient green potential.

Last week, the Government unveiled three scenarios aimed at realizing the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission as part of efforts to give concrete shape to the implementation of green growth policies. Now, it is seeking public opinion.

By presenting policy goals to the public and businesses to promote prompt changes, the Government aims to actively deliberate over what is in the best interests of Korea and have the country play a responsible role in the international community.

The Government will collect public opinion through in-depth discussions with many of you as well as those representing industries and civic organizations. In this regard, I ask for your wholehearted interest and understanding.

In this coming week, I hope you will be able to use public transportation and bicycles more often instead of private cars for the sake of good health and happiness of us all.

Thank you very much.