The following article was contributed by Secretary General Kim Keun-soo of the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. ― Ed.


On Jan. 10, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that they were moving the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock one minute closer to midnight. It is now at only five minutes to midnight. The clock is ticking.

The scientists pointed towards the possibility of nuclear war and climate change as the two major threats to the survival of humankind. The point to take from this is that many scientists now believe climate change presents just as serious a risk as the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

It is very fortunate that more people are now aware of the seriousness of climate change. The problem is, however, that measures to combat climate change have been limited to land-based solutions. Forest preservation, energy saving and the reduction of carbon emissions are indeed necessary measures to fight climate change. But in practice, people hardly ever follow through because development is often prioritized over environmental protection. It is about time we begin to think outside the box. Accordingly, it is time to look toward the ocean for the key to solving the challenges of climate change.

However, efforts to make judicious use of the ocean as well as its preservation have been insufficient. Not many people are aware that the ocean accounts for 75 percent of global oxygen production, and has 50 times greater capacity to capture carbon than the atmosphere.

This is why EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, with its marine-related theme, is drawing global attention. The Yeosu Expo will provide an excellent venue to discuss climate change issues and to rediscover the potential, mystery and life of the sea. One hundred and six countries and nine international organizations have confirmed their participation, a rare feat by a recognized exposition. Among the participating countries are major marine powerhouses such as the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan and Australia. Moreover, several small island nations in the South Pacific facing the challenges of climate change, including Kiribati and Tuvalu, also have confirmed their intent to participate in the Expo.

The Third International Planning Meeting of EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea to be held Feb. 8 will draw 300 delegates from 101 of these countries to review the final phase of the preparation process for the last time before the Expo. Once they have visited the Expo site in Yeosu on the final day after the meeting, the participating countries will accelerate their final preparations for their exhibitions and pavilions.

Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea starting from May will live up to people’s expectations as it will gather countries small and large, advanced and developed, from around the world, under the unifying theme of The Living Ocean and Coast. Understanding the marine-related situations of each country and the ocean cultures to be protected and their values will indeed provide the first step to understanding climate change.

By Kim Keun-soo

Secretary General, the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea