I wanted to reduce my carbon emissions coming over to this morning’s event so I came in a mini-bus along with my staff.

Your Excellency, President Nasheed of the Maldives, President Jagdeo of Guyana, Mr. Achim Steiner, Director-General of UNEP, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to Korea. As you can see, it is a wonderful time of the year where life is springing anew. We are gathered here from around the world to bring together our collective wisdom and I am grateful to you all for attending what is a very important event.

Distinguished guests,

Today, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Because of your dedicated and passionate leadership and advocacy, people around the world are now fully aware of the need to protect and preserve our planet which is the only one we have. Our planet earth is the house where all living organisms dwell; it is the precious dish that stores our happiness and well-being.

But, our planet is suffering. From the very beginning, humankind has always been under constant threat such as wars and natural disasters. However, climate change is undoubtedly the gravest threat of them all. It is our most daunting challenge. President Nasheed knows how serious this problem is. We saw how His Excellency tried to remind people around the world of its dangers when he symbolically held his cabinet meeting underwater. As sea levels rise due to climate change, entire countries like the Maldives are affected. The people of the Maldives are facing an existential threat because of climate change. A report tells us that if we let climate change proceed at its current rate, then in 2050 30% of all animals and plants will be extinct. As they say, there are no emergency bailouts when it comes to climate change. If we don’t do something about this now, then I’m afraid we cannot even be certain of our very existence. And that is why we need to do all that we can. We all need to make drastic changes.

Distinguished guests,

During the Copenhagen Summit on climate change last December, I talked about the importance of taking a “Me First” attitude. This means, each of us needs to change first before telling others to do so. The power to change the world comes from our individual actions based firmly on moral obligation. Before demanding others do something, first I need to conserve energy and I need to cut back on carbon emissions.

But don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you that we must sacrifice economic development to protect our planet. On the contrary, protecting the planet and achieving prosperity can go hand in hand. It must go hand in hand.

The answer is our “Low Carbon Green Growth” which is Korea’s vision for the future. This, we believe, can be a new paradigm that can help us achieve both of these goals.

In 2008, Korea was celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding and on this occasion, I have set out this new national vision. This is our way of actively taking part in fighting climate change and at the same time, investing in a cleaner, more prosperous future. It is about creating green jobs and coming up with green technologies. It is our new engine for growth. For this, Korea is investing 2% of its GDP annually in the green sector.

Last year, Korea announced that it will reduce its carbon emissions 30% of BAU by 2020. Korea is a non-annex I country so we have no legal obligations but we understand we have moral obligations. This is why we voluntarily decided to abide without any conditions the highest standard set by the international community.

When you look at the structure of the Korean economy, our carbon emissions doubled in the last 15 years. Therefore, our target is a very ambitious one indeed but nevertheless, this is our way of showing the world that we will commit to the “Me First” attitude. And we hope that it will help other countries to act as well.

Distinguished guests,

Our Green Growth paradigm also places a lot of importance on the issue of water. Water is most affected by climate change. And we have nothing to replace water which is our most precious commodity. That is why water security is almost as important as, if not more important than, energy security.

Right now, more than 500 million people around the world are suffering horribly due to lack of clean water. And the situation will worsen if we don’t do something about it. As developing countries need for water increases, so will those who suffer from the lack of it. Many predict that in 20 years, 40% of the world will suffer in one way or another due to the chronic lack of water. For example, the great Yellow River where the ancient Chinese civilization first blossomed, water has been drying up and so the instance where the river fails to reach the sea more frequently. The wetlands of the Mesopotamia are disappearing at an alarming rate, the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are also drying up with frightening consequences. Experts who have been warning of such phenomena are saying the following three things. First, expand the supply of water. Secondly, increase the productivity in the management of the current water supply. And thirdly, lessen the dependence on water. These experts are saying that if we can just expand the supply and manage well the water resources, then we can solve the water issue completely by 2030.

Korea’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is a good example. The Four Major River Restoration project is about reviving the rivers but it’s about a lot more than that. It is about saving precious lives and achieving economic prosperity. It is, quite simply, a Green New Deal. Rapid industrialization has led to severe damage to our four major riverways. And through our restoration project, we will improve the water quality of these rivers to a level-2. We will bring back the clean and vibrant ecosystem to these rivers and make it healthier. Also, we will be increasing water resources by more than 1.3 billion tons, thereby eliminating the water shortage. And by improving the efficiency and applying new technologies in the re-use of water, we will also increase productivity. When all of you revisit Korea in 2012, you will be able to see these changes with your own eyes.

This year, Korea was the first country to announce the adoption of our Basic Law on Green Growth. As a way to tackle climate change, our companies will change the way they do business and our people will change how they live their daily lives. This law will be the comprehensive and systemic guide and framework to bring together these actions.

Change is difficult because of the uncertainty it entails. However, this law will dramatically reduce such uncertainty so that all parties can actively take part in the new green industry. In fact, the new green industries of the future, such as nuclear energy and alternative sources of energy are growing at a rapid pace. I spoke with Mr. Steiner of UNEP on several occasions and I wish to thank him for recognizing and encouraging what we are doing. He has been a firm supporter of our Green New Deal. And for our part, we’ll do our best to realize this vision. We hope to become a model for others.

Distinguished guests,

For green growth to be sustainable, I believe global partnership is vital. No one living on this planet can escape from the devastation that is brought on by climate change. Therefore, finding a solution is our collective responsibility. As part of our contribution to global partnership, Korea proposed setting up the Global Green Growth Institute, or GGGI, during last years’ COP 15 in Copenhagen. The IPCC has played a crucial role in coming up with the scientific data on the causes of climate change. The GGGI, which will be launched this coming June, will play a pivotal role in coming up with workable solutions to climate change.

None of us here can imagine a world without human beings or human beings without planet earth. Last years’ third B4E summit agreed on a new global climate regime. That’s exactly what we need. We must now think not just about us but about the planet as well. We must work together to put in place a "planet responsible system". No longer must we continue being dependent on fossil fuels that damage the environment. Instead, we must strive for a Green co-existence where humans and nature work together for peace and prosperity.

Distinguished business leaders,

I have high hopes and much confidence in all of you for leading the movement to merge business and the environment. I know business is all about bringing change and responding to change. You are the actors and major players that will open up this new era by creatively responding to the challenges of climate change. You will turn this challenge into an opportunity. Our Green Growth will ultimately have to be carried on by you, not the government. Whether the world can overcome this grave threat in the 21st century and the success of this endeavor entirely rests upon you and on your green entrepreneurship.

Investors and consumers nowadays care about profits and the quality of the goods provided by companies but many are increasingly demanding that companies live up to their corporate social responsibilities. They want to see companies that care about the environment.

And so, the green market is no longer a niche market but the mainstream. Change and adaptation are no longer a matter of choice but a necessity. The early movers will win in this quest for the new green ocean. I support your green entrepreneurship and I applaud it because that will open up the new era.

I leave you now with the immortal words of Robert Frost. “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, let us remind ourselves of the preciousness of the planet that we live in. Let us remind ourselves that this is the only one we have and that we must act now to overcome this grave challenge. What we do now will ensure a cleaner and healthier planet for our children and our children will say that our generation has done what was asked of them. I hope we can look back and say to ourselves that we did good.

Thank you.