Jion Yi

Climate Change Seminar Reflection

Climate change is a crisis that we as a global community will face
some through career, some through personal choices. Building on what
you heard in the interdisciplinary discussion, how might you choose to
address this challenge in your own life?
I say this with shame: I am neither an expert in the subject of
climate change, nor as passionate as I should be. What is more, I do
not aspire to address the crisis through my career choice. However, as
I am aspiring to work in the field of human rights protection, I believe
that the field has an inevitable connection with climate change. For
instance, we hear of plenty of cases today where natural resources,
which must belong to the indigenous communities and stay otherwise
untouched, are being invaded by corporates, governments, insensitive
tourists, etc. In that respect, I feel obligated to become more
knowledgeable and passionate on the subject. I would choose to
address the issue in my own life partly through my career choice and
partly from my individual actionsattending panel discussions,
participating in solidary demonstrations, taking relevant courses, etc.
This situation poses an especially grave problem to the global
community, because, as mentioned in our interdisciplinary discussion,
the recent US election has turned the direction of climate politics
most notably in cases of North Dakota Standing Rocks. The changed
climate politics has erupted lots of protests and solidarity
demonstrations.
In preparation for the possible consequences of these political
choices, I believe that encouraging dialogues is importantespecially
ones where different perspectives come together, like in our
interdisciplinary discussion with diverse speakers. Having such
conversations is important because they remind the importance and
urgency of the issue. Many do not see the imminent danger of the
climate change, understandably because they do not see any problem
in their life at the very moment. But it is also true that there are
communities all over the world who have been profoundly affected by
the climate change. By listening to their pleas and perspectives, more
people can understand and grow compassion for the issue and for
those affected by the issue. On the other hand, I also believe that
education of the current and future generations on the subject is
extremely important. Raising awareness of the issue and relevant
scientific facts.
In order to emphasize and raise awareness of this importance,
inside UW community, I would like to establish and work on project that

Jion Yi

encourages panel discussions and student actions to improve on the

issue of climate change.