The Center for Security Policy Studies Korea (CSPS-Korea) is a newly established branch of the CSPS based in the Arlington campus. The Center for Security Policy Studies is an institute which provides a broad and intellectual space for Mason students and faculty to address today’s pressing security issues with government, military, and private sector experts by conducting collaborative research and hosting a symposium. Over the past few months, CSPS Arlington and Korea have been collaborating to host the second annual CSPS Symposium held at the Multicomplex Small Theatre on the 22nd of May. The Symposium especially dealt with environmental challenges that threaten the world ecosystem and expected solutions brought by various experts and scholars.
The Symposium commenced with welcoming speeches by Dr. Robert Matz, Campus Dean of George Mason University Korea, and Dr. Mark Rozell, Dean of Schar School of Policy and Government. They expressed their delight of opening CSPS Symposium at Mason Korea and their expectation about the great discussions and lectures that would follow.
The Symposium was divided into a morning and afternoon session, and the first session commenced with Dr. Taedong Lee, a professor of Yonsei University. He delivered his speech related to Atmospheric Politics between China and Korea for Short- and Long-term Responsible Solutions. He said that, “Proposing multilateral NDC treaty at national council on climate and air quality and focusing on the sub-national and intra-national level of analysis by looking at important domestic actors is a vital point toward the cooperative world in environmental security.” In succession, Dr. Ming Wan, Associate Dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government, address the speech based on the question, “How the tsunami and Fukushima crisis affected Japan’s national policy on climate change?” He analyzed the cost of Fukushima crises and expected diplomatic policy of Japan on the climate change. He said, “Japan may want to increase the market values of Japanese firms because of assessment of their physical risk.” Then, the national policy of Korea was also analyzed by Dr. Eun Jeong Lim, a professor of Ritsumeikan University. Although there are some agreements on environmental challenges of Korea, there exist limitations caused by path-dependent goal-setting, political system, lack of trust in the authority, contentious relations and pricing system of electricity. Therefore, she addressed some potential policy recommendations, such as to reset ways of thinking about economic development, energy security, and electricity and to direct specific targets and assignments to responsible players. Dr. Taedong Lee, Dr. Ming Wan, and Dr. Eunjeong Lim’s lectures addressed the association between environmental challenges and political power.
Dr. Andrew Light, Schar School professor, started off the second session. His speech focused on the new landscape of international climate leadership: China, the US, and global development trends. Along with the political power, the extent of engaging in protecting environment can be decided as Trump declared withdrawing from Paris Agreement. He emphasized that regarding the environmental issues as an emergent and vital duty of global citizens and cooperating actively is an important role of a global leader. Therefore, he highlighted some question towards China such as, “How should Chinese policy makers support existing NDCs in designing a green BRI?” Simon Wilson, a Head of Communication in GCF, Dr. Changwoo Ahn, a Professor of George Mason University and Dr. Todd M. La Porte, professor of Schar School, addressed own lectures focusing on their potential recommendations for the preservation environment. They discussed global Solutions to Climate Change, the importance of participatory environmental governance by raising awareness on environmental security through education and climate change and complex interdependencies.
This year’s symposium addressed various perspectives for growing challenges for environment from experts and practitioners. Environmental security surpasses national borders, and the adverse effects of climate change and fine dust requires collaborative policymaking over the world. The 2019 Symposium successfully addressed the expected implementation process of national policies, importance of global cooperation, and role of international organizations.
Haeun Choi | Staff Writer
hchoi34@masonlive.gmu.edu
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