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(Fwd by Antonio Claparols on Sept. 26)
JEJU ISLAND ~THE ISLAND OF PEACE
By Antonio Claparlos
Compared to the previous World Conservation Congress events held in the
previous years, this most recent one from September 6 to 15,2012 can be
considered the most tiring I ever had.
It was hosted by the Korean government and held in the island of Jeju,
also known as the “Island of Peace”.
Jeju is home of the Tamna people who have lived and sustained their
natural
heritage for thousands of years.
Jeju has three myths of origin: that of the cosmos, of the island itself and of
its human inhabitants. The latter a tale of three demigods who rose from
Volcanic
lava caves deep in the earth and married three princesses from
another land , thus resulted in the Tamna Kingdom.
The Sam-seong-hyeol myth (Lit;three name holes typically
translated as caves
of three clans) begin with the emergence of three male demigods by the
names of Ko,Yang and Bu from deep caves and lava tubes in the surface of
this volcanic island.
Through the stability of agriculture and regional trade, the Tamna Kingdom
was eventually formed. Ko became its first King with 45 Kings to follow.
The
Tamna Kingdom has been founded between the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.E.
In 1105 C.E ,the Tamna Kingdom subsumed as a province by the Goryeo
Kingdom Of
what is now known as Korea.
Jeju island is seeking to become an environmental capital city of the world.
A UNESCO World heritage site, its water is said to be“the purest in the
world”
— naturally- filtered by the volcanic rocks and its underground aquifers
which retain 46 % percent of the rainfall, also making it Korea's most active
aquifer.
Its biodiversity is rich and the mystic of Mt. Halasan is a marvel on its own.
There is much to be said about Jeju island, its people and its
natural heritage.
More than 7000 delegates from all over the world converged in this beautiful
island to discuss the state of the planet and the way forward on how to save
our dying
planet.
Even though this was the 5th World Conservation Congress we had attended,
it was always nice to see old friends and meet new ones. I will always treasure
these friends who share the advocacy with us all through the years.
Despite the many years and meetings the planet seems to be getting worse.
We have seen the planet evolve and yes, our planet remains in peril.
Worse, it continues to be nearing the end of the line.
As of this writing, a typhoon is heading straight for the Korean peninsula,
sending a message to all that Nature has had enough! She can no longer
sustain the
pressures of the present development model.
The same pressures put forth by continuous pollution, ocean-acidification and
man- induced climate change.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide is now almost 400ppm. This is a very critical
stage,
enough to compel us to act on the need to reduce carbon dioxide to 350ppm
to sustain life.
Yet, instead of being alarmed, the
business- as- usual attitude even
accelerated!
There is no documented progress by the UNFCCC to mitigate CO2 and
other greenhouse gasses. The many COP meetings has failed.
The grassroots movement is increasing everywhere, taking matters into
their
on hands.They are even better armed with new initiatives like re-educating
the masses about the benefits of solar cookers and renewable energy, also
about mangrove reforestation.
The movement is now pushing for a more active volunteerism spirit.
The same drive is aimed for the protection of our
forest and oceans.
Radical changes are taking place as the establishment refuses to change.
Yet, the Congress is tainted by the old consumption and production patterns
which need to be changed.
Corporate control of conservation is wreaking havoc on the mission and vision
of the conservation movement and the World Congress.
What does this picture out to the world? A scary scenario, that of
an
increasing poverty. Peak of oil and food and peak of everything is in the
making.
More Arab springs are already taking place. The people are suffering from
many austerity measures imposed on them by the IMF and their respective
government.
Unknown to many, there is talk of another stimulus for the economy which
will only cause more inflation. It is foreseen to make life harder for the seven
billion people of this planet of which over 2 billion live below the poverty line.
Food shortages and the destruction of our biodiversity has made the battle
for resources inevitable.
During this recent World Conservation Congress, one of the most controversial
motions was Motion 181 or “ Protection of the People,Nature,Culture and
Heritage of Gangjeong Village.”
Gangjeong Village is
the site of the construction of a naval base.
The motion is sponsored by the Center of Humans and Nature and
co-sponsored by over 32 non-governmental organizations. They all exerted
efforts to have the said motion adopted.
The motion was voted in plenary this morning, after many contact group
meetings and heated debates were conducted.
We are honored to be one of the co-sponsors. The motion was not adopted
by the Congress since it needed both houses of government
and NGOs.
However, the government house had more abstentions . It had more “yes”votes
than the “ no” votes and the NGO house had the majority. This sent a strong
signal to IUCN and the world that Gangjeong village and its people and
Jeju island must be protected.
It has given hope to the villagers to continue to fight for their natural heritage
which they have nurtured sustainably for centuries.
The message of the congress is clear : We must save the villagers of
Gangjeong, Jeju island . We must protect the people and planet. Otherwise,
all these congresses and meetings are meaningless and a waste of time.
The World Conservation Congress ended with a declaration that I can best
describe as the biblical cymbal – making all noise yet signifying nothing,
all empty words.
Real and concrete action on the ground is what is needed.
With one powerful word, loud and clear message of hope has been sent to
the
world from the beautiful island of Jeju, the island of peace :
“Peace.”
Antonio M. Claparols
President
Antonio M. Claparols
President
Ecological Society of the Philippines
IUCN-Member
IUCN-CEESP
Makati City
Philippines
Email-jamc@mozcom.com
http://www.esp.org.ph
lunch with Regina, Father Lee, a Jesuit priest and the villagers. More power. (Post by Antonio M. Claparols)
Katy and Tony (source : Media Jeju), Sept. 15, 2012 (Post by Regina Pyon)