https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/default.aspx
https://sdgs.un.org/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/getting-around-seoul
https://www.arcadis.com/en/insights/perspectives/global/sustainable-cities-index-2024
July, the month of Chilseok and the month I attend summer school in Korea. My journey into the East will not only provide academic insight into unfamiliar disciplines but also act as cultural enrichment. In this time, I am extremely excited to go on a traditional market tour and temple cultural experience while keeping sustainable practices in the forefront.
In Seoul, I will be attending the Dongguk University Summer School. Their efforts in sustainability through the Life Science and Biotechnology programmes combine Buddhist philosophy and a multidisciplinary approach combining information technology and biotechnology to research climate change and biodiversity loss.
Using a non stop flight has a lower carbon footprint than a flight with layovers. Sadly, no direct flight to Seoul was available when booking. Therefore, I made other efforts to be sustainable such as pre-ordering an inflight meal to reduce food wastage, using public transportation to the airport and choosing an airline which uses sustainable aviation fuels. Finnair as an airline uses fuel approved by CORSIA, Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, reducing the carbon footprint of every flight. Furthermore, to reduce my carbon footprint on the trip I will be eating local cuisine. Local cuisine is less likely to have imported ingredients which in their transport release greenhouse gases. Not only will I reduce my carbon footprint but I will also be able to try a myriad of traditional foods, enriching my experience.
Personally, I aim to work in sustainable international development career-wise. Researching the UN’s sustainable development goals/ Agenda 21 provided me greater motivation in my goals in helping the wider global community. Specifically the goals of quality education and responsible consumption and production stuck out. These goals being extremely relevant to my tiiKorea made be research how the government meets the UN’s aims. One way they did this was to create The Sharing City Seoul Initiative. This initiative has reduced waste and excess consumption across the city and promoted sharing enterprises using sustainable urban planning strategies. Apps like Billi and The Open Closet are examples of sharing enterprises led by young people to benefit their local communities. Measures like this have helped Seoul become the 11th most sustainable city in the world according to Arcadis’ Sustainable Cities Index 2024.
Seoul’s amazing public transportation system also contributes to its sustainability. In my time there, I will use public transportation as a sustainable option and as a tool to further explore the city in ways unfounded.
To receive this scholarship, not only would it allow me to have greater access to experience as a young woman from a working class background, but also support my career goals as it would provide a reference on how sustainable infrastructure differs in different countries.
