People For Earth

2025 The 2nd Earth Jurisprudence for Citizens 

“Book Talk with the Author of When Forests Disappear: Climate Crisis and Forest Ecosystem from an Earth Jurisprudence Perspective”

On April 24, 2025, People for Earth, along with its Earth Jurisprudence Society, co-hosted the 2nd "Earth Jurisprudence for Citizens" event at the National Assembly Members' Office Building with the Sun Pro Bono Center and the office of National Assembly member Soyoung Lee.

"Earth Jurisprudence for Citizens" is an open communication forum designed to introduce Earth Jurisprudence studies to the public and engage in discussions together. This year's event focused on the book "When Forests Disappear" to deeply analyze the issues of climate crisis and forest ecosystems and to explore solutions from the perspective of Earth Jurisprudence.

The event, moderated by Attorney Bomi Kim of the Sun Pro Bono Center, featured a lecture by Professor Wooseok Kong, Director of the Climate Change and Ecosystem Research Institute and author of "When Forests Disappear," followed by a dialogue with Professor Jaehong Lee of Ewha Womans University Law School, an expert in Earth Jurisprudence, and a session for participating citizens to ask questions and share their thoughts.

[Lecture] When Forests Disappear – Director Wooseok Kong
 

Global Concerns: Complex Environmental Crises
Director Wooseok Kong began by highlighting the multifaceted severity of environmental issues, introducing environmental concerns designated by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) in 2021, such as climate change, habitat destruction, and invasive alien species. He further presented Nature's list of the top 10 global hot issues and the World Economic Forum's list of global threats for the next 10 years. Notably, he pointed out that from an economic perspective, the failure of climate action, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss are recognized as major threats, indicating that environmental issues are no longer limited to specific fields but are core challenges that determine the sustainability of society as a whole.
The situation in South Korea is no exception. According to KISTEP's (Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning) analysis of the seven major megatrends, energy and resource depletion, and the deepening of climate change and environmental problems are identified as key challenges, emphasizing the need for deep consideration and preparation for global crises in our society as well.

The Path to Climate Crisis: Humanity's Impact Throughout Earth's History
The lecture explained the context of climate change by distinguishing between weather and climate and then tracing Earth's history from the climate big bang to the current Anthropocene. The primitive Earth, with its high temperature and pressure of 300 degrees Celsius and 60 atmospheres, consisting only of land and air, saw the creation of water 3.8 billion years ago, which became the foundation for the emergence of life. Subsequently, life evolved from single-celled organisms to multicellular organisms and then to terrestrial life. Director Kong emphasized that the current era is the sixth mass extinction, proceeding in a different manner from the previous five, and that while the previous extinctions were due to natural factors, the current extinction is primarily caused by human activities, adding to its severity. Examining the climate during periods with less human intervention, he highlighted the astonishing fact that a temperature change of only about 5 degrees Celsius during hundreds of ice ages and interglacial periods resulted in 33% of Earth's land surface being covered by ice and sea levels changing by 100-130 meters, underscoring the seriousness of the current climate change threat.

Biodiversity Loss May Be More Dangerous Than the Climate Crisis
One of the core messages of the lecture was to raise awareness about the seriousness of biodiversity loss. Director Kong noted that of the estimated 5 to 50 million species on Earth, only less than 2 million have been officially identified, and he expressed concern that the "lungs of the Earth," the rainforests, are disappearing at a rapid rate. In particular, he urged reflection on consumption habits, emphasizing that seemingly innocuous consumer goods like coffee, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, and chocolate can be directly linked to rainforest destruction. Furthermore, while South Korea maintains relatively high biodiversity due to its geographical characteristics, many trees are facing extinction due to climate change and human activities. He identified habitat destruction for agriculture, logging, urban development, wildfires, and invasive alien species as major causes of tree extinction, stressing the need for active efforts to preserve biodiversity.

The Story of Pine Trees: History Bearing the Traces of Climate Change
The lecture then moved on to the story of pine trees, which have a long history with the Korean people. Director Kong introduced the fact that coniferous trees thrive mainly in mid-latitude temperate climate zones, which largely coincides with the location of OECD countries. He also emphasized the value of coniferous trees, including pines, as living witnesses to Earth's history since the Mesozoic era. Analysis of various records from the Joseon Dynasty, such as the Sejong Sillok Jiriji and the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, revealed that pine trees were primarily distributed in the Gyeongsang and Gangwon provinces, while Korean nut pines were mainly found in the North Korean regions. However, among the 28 pine species in South Korea today, Korean fir, Khingan fir, Jeonnam fir, and dwarf Siberian pine are highly vulnerable to climate change, making conservation efforts urgent.

How Should We Live in the City in the Future: The Value of Forests and Our Efforts
In the final part of his lecture, Director Kong Woo-seok assessed the current state of forests in South Korea and presented tasks for the future. While about 63% of the national land is covered by forests, boasting a high forest density among OECD countries, he pointed out that rapid afforestation processes have led to problems such as the prevalence of alien species and specific tree species, and that frequent wildfires also pose a serious threat. Director Kong mentioned that forests provide us with various benefits worth about 4.3 million won per person annually, and that the value of forests has been newly appreciated, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Criticizing the reality of Seoul's urban forest area, which significantly falls short of the WHO recommendation of 9 square meters per person, he emphasized the need to preserve and expand urban forests, as well as to enhance urban biodiversity through the creation of pocket forests and the multi-layering of street trees. Finally, he stressed that trees and forests can be important alternatives to climate change and environmental problems, explaining that the benefits provided by forests, such as phytoncides, negative ions, soil conservation, temperature and humidity regulation, and noise reduction, can improve our health and quality of life. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of education to raise ecological sensitivity, suggesting, for example, expanding opportunities for children to experience and learn from nature in forests instead of indoor play areas.

Director Wooseok Kong emphasized that we, living in the Anthropocene era, must strive not to cross irreversible tipping points and that individuals should practice eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles in terms of food, clothing, and shelter. He concluded his lecture by urging us to become "wise consumers & informed voters" who respect the natural rights of Earth's land, air, water, life, and soil, and to aim for Homo symbiosis, living in harmony with the Earth, based on a sober self-awareness that "we are both victims, causes, and perpetrators of environmental damage." The question, "When forests disappear, what should we do?" left a profound homework for all of us.

[Dialogue] Climate Crisis and Forests from an Earth Jurisprudence Perspective – Professor Jaehong Lee & Director Wooseok Kong

Following Director Kong's lecture, a session was held to discuss the issues of climate crisis and forests more deeply from the perspective of Earth Jurisprudence with Professor Jaehong Lee, an expert in Earth Jurisprudence. The two began their dialogue by reflecting on the meaning of Kim Jeong-hee's 〈Sehando (Winter Scene)〉, shedding light on the severity of the environmental problems we face today from various angles and seeking practical solutions for future generations. The following is a summary of the main discussions that took place during their lively conversation.

Lee: As we begin today's dialogue, I would like to bring up the story of Kim Jeong-hee's 〈Sehando〉. I believe that not only the painting itself but also the story behind it constitutes a single work of art. 'Sehan (歲寒),' meaning cold weather, is when pine and cypress trees retain their green leaves until late in the season. This is said to originate from the teachings of Confucius. Kim Jeong-hee painted this as a way to repay someone who took care of him during his exile in Jeju Island, and I feel that this painting is connected to the seriously pressing issues of climate crisis and biodiversity loss worldwide today. However, there seems to be a debate as to whether the 'Baek (柏)' in the painting is a cypress or a Korean nut pine.

Kong: Yes, the Chinese character is written ambiguously, leaving room for interpretation. Those who argue it is not a Korean nut pine cite the fact that Korean nut pines do not grow naturally in Jeju Island, while those who see it as a Korean nut pine interpret it as Kim Jeong-hee expressing hope through the pine, recalling his prosperous days before his exile. However, I think it is more appropriate to emphasize the attribute of a tree with unchanging green leaves, that is, an evergreen tree, rather than the specific species.

Lee: I have three questions for today's dialogue. The first is a question about the lecture content, the second is about a part of the book "When Forests Disappear" that impressed me, especially regarding everyday practices, and the last is a question from the perspective of Earth Jurisprudence. First, in today's lecture, there was a discussion about recent wildfires. We clearly recognize wildfires as "damage," but we seem to think relatively less seriously about changes such as the altered timing of flowering or autumn foliage. For example, if flowers bloom early in spring, we enjoy the sight of them blooming all at once, and if snow falls on autumn foliage, we admire it as a beautiful scene. What are your thoughts on this perception?

Kong: Fundamentally, I think all problems arise because we view nature from a human-centered perspective. What is good and right should be judged from nature's point of view. One of the things I find most regrettable is the act of eating strawberries in winter. Why should we heat our homes in the cold winter and release bees imported from the Southern Hemisphere into greenhouses to pollinate flowers, eventually causing them to die, just to eat strawberries? This pursuit of human-centered convenience is a prime example of how we have been led down an abnormal path. It is even more concerning that future generations accept this situation as completely natural. Deep reflection and course correction by the older generations are urgently needed.

Lee: I deeply agree with the point that future generations may take these abnormal situations for granted. As generations grow up who have considered eating strawberries in winter as natural since childhood, we as adults must feel a sense of responsibility. These problems arise due to convenience and human-centered thinking, and only when we reach clear limits, such as with wildfires, do we finally become alarmed. You mentioned that wildfires are not natural disasters but human-caused disasters, which means we are ultimately undermining the very foundation of our existence. The consequences will only return over time, but we live enjoying convenience and profit until the damage is right before our eyes. From a broader temporal perspective, we are destroying the basis of our own existence. Why do humans engage in such self-destructive behavior? If there is a solution, what could it be?

Kong: It is truly a regrettable reality. Regarding wildfires, we often only talk about the process and the results. However, we should first discuss the fundamental causes to lead to cause analysis, process review, outcome evaluation, and the establishment of preventive measures. It is frustrating that most wildfires are human-caused, yet they continue to occur, and that preventive measures, which clearly exist, are not properly implemented. For example, many wildfires could be prevented if fire extinguishers were properly distributed. It is regrettable that discussions are only focused on the extent of the damage and who is to blame. Moreover, our society is not yet accustomed to a culture where people with different opinions gather in one place to discuss constructively, find common ground, and seek solutions. What is the root cause of this problem? I believe it is because our formal education has lacked discussion-based learning, and we have not been properly trained to accept others' different viewpoints. It is also regrettable that religion, which could play an important role in resolving social conflicts, often exacerbates conflicts in our society. The media also often takes biased stances and fails to fulfill its expected role properly. We need to reflect deeply on the inherent roles of education, religion, and the media, and consider how they can exert positive functions in society.

Lee: It hasn't been long since I moved from practicing law to academia, but the conclusion I have reached is also the importance of education. Education can create humans with new values, but the reality is that this aspect is lacking in our current education system. To achieve high-quality education, we must train excellent teachers, which is a truly difficult problem. How have other countries succeeded in educational revolutions? Looking at Finland's case, the key was to cultivate good teachers. They supported all teachers to obtain master's degrees and maximized their autonomy in classroom management, allowing them to create innovative lessons.

Kongk: I thought about it from a parent's perspective. How did I raise my child? Korean society is so competitive that I reflect on whether I also demanded and took competition for granted with my children. Now, the awakening of each individual is necessary. I once sent my daughter to Mongolia for ten days of volunteer work during her third year of middle school summer vacation. She had difficult experiences drawing water in Mongolia and even cried when someone stole the water she had worked hard to fetch. However, some people around us were concerned about sending her on such volunteer work at an important time before her high school entrance exams. But I believed that through this experience, my child would broaden her perspective of the world and develop a heart to understand others. Ultimately, parents must change first, as children are most influenced by their families. Our entire society needs to change, including myself, my family, school education, religious activities, and the media. Like Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan's words, shouldn't the first step towards change in our society be the effort to change ourselves first with the mindset of "It is my fault, it is my fault" regarding environmental or social issues?
 

Lee: I deeply agree with your point about individual practice. While reading "When Forests Disappear," the parts where you gave up meat and coffee were particularly impactful. I would also like to hear about your personal experiences, what motivated you, and if you faced any difficulties.

Kong: Having spent my life teaching students, I always pondered whether I was living according to what I preached as a teacher. I was a coffee lover to the extent that I drank siphon coffee in college. Drinking coffee after waking up was my first routine for over 30 years. However, one day during a lecture, while talking about rainforests, I inadvertently noticed myself drinking coffee. I thought that instead of just complaining about a problem that I was contributing to, I should try to find things I could do to improve it, starting with something a little challenging rather than too easy. The first thing was to quit coffee. I completely stopped drinking coffee, which I had consumed every day for over 30 years. But I still like coffee. So, my wife sometimes teases me by holding coffee near my nose. However, I don't think negatively about others drinking coffee. I just believe that even when drinking coffee, we should consider ways that are less burdensome to the Earth. Quitting meat was much harder than quitting coffee. I regressed many times. Initially, I tried to avoid cooked food altogether, but eventually regressed to the pescatarian stage, and after also eating dairy and eggs, I recently started eating fish again. I thought a lot about eating fish, but there were too few dishes I could eat with others. I am constantly reflecting. In fact, I didn't tell people around me for a long time that I didn't drink coffee or eat meat, fearing it might make them uncomfortable. Then one day, I told my students for the first time, and they asked why I hadn't told them sooner, saying that even one or two people might change after hearing my story. Hearing that gave me the courage to start talking about it, and I ended up writing about it in my book. What I find encouraging is that 10% of women in their twenties are either vegan or pursuing a vegetarian diet. At this rate, I believe society will definitely change. Because we eat meat, children somewhere in Africa go hungry, and there is famine in North Korea. Choice is an individual freedom, but it is important to first know what problems the food I eat and discard causes, and what issues arise in the process of production, consumption, and processing, and then make a choice. It is important to practice even one or two things.

Lee: I remember reading in your book that there are less burdensome ways to enjoy coffee.

Kong: Yes, if possible, it is better to choose coffee produced by small-scale farmers rather than large-scale plantation methods, organic coffee grown by poor local farmers using less chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and coffee certified by the Rainforest Alliance. You can find these by searching for terms like 'fair trade coffee,' 'eco-friendly coffee,' and 'Rainforest Alliance certified coffee.' They might be a bit more expensive, but you can adjust by drinking two cups instead of three. Personally, I enjoy Korean traditional teas, misutgaru (mixed grain powder drink), and matcha (powdered green tea).

Lee: Listening to you reminds me of an anecdote about Mahatma Gandhi. A mother, worried about her child's excessive sugar intake, asked Gandhi to scold the child. Gandhi sent the child away and then scolded him a few days later when the mother brought him back. When asked why, he replied that he himself was eating sugar at the time. (Laughs) I think it's an anecdote that shows the importance of aligning words with actions. Finally, I would like to talk about Earth Jurisprudence. As Professor Gong mentioned, if we think and act in ways that we feel we shouldn't based on our own ethics or values, then law is actually unnecessary. Law is to enforce those ethical standards on people who do not abide by them. For example, parents caring for their children is an obvious ethical duty, but because there are people who do not fulfill this, provisions exist in civil and criminal law that human law is invalid. Earth Jurisprudence exists above human law, and this Earth Jurisprudence aims to move in a direction that allows all beings on Earth to maintain their existence and fulfill their roles and functions in the process of co-evolution. What aligns with this direction is consistent with Earth Jurisprudence, and what moves in the opposite direction violates Earth Jurisprudence, making any human law invalid. From this perspective, discussions about the rights of nature are taking place, and we are considering how to systematically enforce the prevention of the infringement of these rights. The case of the Whanganui River in New Zealand is a prime example. Since Earth Jurisprudence is, after all, a legal philosophy, its main focus is on how to create enforcement mechanisms. There can be two approaches: mandatory methods and methods that induce change through education and ethics. However, even as a law major, I constantly wonder if there are limitations to coercive methods. I used to think of the dying Korean fir trees on Hallasan Mountain as just a curious sight, but reading your book gave me a great shock. In the face of this crisis, which method is more valid and effective?

Kong: Because we are human, we are accustomed to a self-centered and human-centered way of thinking, and our social systems are also aligned with this. I believe these problems arise because the strong lack consideration for the weak. Since the destructive power of humans on nature far outweighs the harm nature inflicts on us, we all know which is more desirable. Furthermore, if we consider what our future will be like when nature is damaged, the answer is clear. We all know it. Ultimately, we need consideration for nature and an attitude of coexisting. I also prided myself on having encountered nature a lot while hiking in the mountains, but what I have recently realized is that the living things in the mountains do not simply compete but also help each other. If there had been constant competition, the small plant I saw 10 years ago should have disappeared, but seeing it still in the same place made me realize the principle of nature where mutual coexistence and symbiosis occur. By fundamentally changing our perspective on the world in this way, and when we think that the beings around us are helpful to our lives, we will naturally develop a mind to respect them. Respect for the weak is especially important. We must teach these values through education, especially starting from home. We must strive to raise awareness about these issues in the media and society as a whole. What is encouraging is that among those who came to this event today, there will be people who learned these facts for the first time and will decide to reduce their coffee consumption by even one cup right away.

Lee: Consideration of the strong for the weak is an important value discussed in Earth Jurisprudence and is also related to Hans Jonas's concept of ethical responsibility. Listening to your words that we can have hope for the future if individuals adopt a perspective of balance and symbiosis, I conclude today's dialogue. I sincerely thank Director Gong Woo-seok for taking the precious time to share such insightful words.

Director Wooseok Kong's lecture on "When Forests Disappear" and his dialogue with Professor Jaehong Lee went beyond superficial discussions of environmental problems, sharply addressing issues deeply connected to our daily lives and urging action for fundamental change. In particular, it was a valuable time to realize not only the role of law but also the importance of individual ethical reflection and education. During the final session where participants shared their thoughts, a consensus was formed on the possibility of change through "empathy" rather than coercion and on the importance of small actions starting from oneself.