For example, the Saemanguem (Chollabukdo, Korea) project is the largest reclamation project the world has ever known.
(The Saemanguem seawall is the longest in the world, and it is almost 33 Km – 21 miles.)
(Before the project)
(As a result of the project, there will be 28,300 hectares – 70,750 acres of land and 11,800 hectares – 29500 acres of lake.)
The project is driven by the government and has a political purpose (Chollabukdo is one of the most underdeveloped areas in Korea, so politicians have made campaign pledges to get elected.) and utilitarian standpoint.
(People who work at Saemanguem.)
Many studies have shown that the productivity of mudflats is 3-5 times higher than that of agricultural land converted from the mudflat of wetlands. Why, then, is the government carrying out the project? This is because the government did not know the value of wetlands when the project was started. Peter Kalm said that he found everywhere the wisdom and goodness of the Creator, but too seldom saw any inclination among men to make use of them. (Travels into North America, quoted in: American Environmental History (Joshep M. Petulla), San Francisco: Boyd and Fraser, 1977) Reclamation has led to a decrease in habitats of migratory birds, especially waders.
Why should we save the birds and fishes dwelling in wetlands? This is because the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1); moreover, God ordered man to rule over the fish of the sea and birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Genesis 1:28). Lynn White Jr. pointed out that the problems of our ecologic crisis are problems of worldview, not merely of science or technology. (“The historical roots of our ecologic crisis,” Science 155: 1203-1207, 1967.) Habitats of wildlife and the natural environments God created were protected, and we have to prepare a Noah's Ark to save all creation living on the earth. To solve the impending global environmental crises, we have to establish a Christian world view to create a sustainable society.
By Sangjae Lee
Posts
Thank you for your post, Sangjae. I just had one question, about the productivity of the mudflats. What do they produce? (Forgive my ignorance, please; we don’t have mudflats here in Arizona!)
ReplyDeleteI hope that the reclamation project provided jobs at least, and will continue to do so. It seems, though, that this is an example of good intentions gone wrong. Our concern for our environment often seems to surpass our understanding of it, and our knowledge of scientifically proven helpful practices is in its infancy. And then, of course, there are the competing needs between human communities, animal species, and so on. (It’s one of the things that concerns me about global warming: we’re so certain we know how to “help,” but do we really? And who/what will we hurt in the process of solving our problems?)
Still: you have a point when you encourage us to establish a Christian worldview to create a sustainable society. Considering others (including other creatures) can only help. And I like the idea of the world as an ark!
This makes me think of New Orleans and the surrounding area; the sea held back only until the next Katrina.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the education, Sangjae! Like Sande, I'm interested in knowing what the mudflats produce given that my limited exposure to them. Reading your post brings to my mind the continual balancing we go through in our world. Without a worldview that embraces all of creation and the importance of sustainability, best intentions for improving the life of humans not only compromise our natural world and creation, but in the end often compromise humanity's life and relationship with creation. When I first read "reclamation" project, I immediately thought of reclamation projects that return land to the natural habitat. Then, as I read more, I realized that this particular project has nothing to do with that.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne's right . . . I sometimes think nature will continue to "conquer" humanity until such time that humanity can live in respectful, peaceful coexistent with nature. This will mean really thinking through the impact short term gains for humanity really have on the planet.
Greetings
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts immediately went with what Suzanne pointed out. Sea walls are only as good as the next naturally occuring event that supposedly destroys the magnificant workings of man.Even though people were given jobs and humans are going to have another artificial land mass to develope(?)does this outway destroying the natural evolution of nature. Of course this gives way to the arguements that we are a part of nature and our intrusions or developements have become part of the natural order. I would tend to let the wet lands be and let the natural purifying nature of the wetlands do their natural thing. Perhaps a better reclaimation is to look at what happens inland with de forestation, harmful mining practices and the introduction of man-made contaminatin into the eco system.
Thank you Sangjae, I agree that we need a worldview that emraces creation. This belief for me is also based on my faith and scripture; however, there are many that use some of the same scriputures that you quoted to justify their dominance over creation, especially the Genesis passage. Many Christians in America use that passage to argue that they have the right to dominante and do whatever they want to the planet even damage it. They say this is their God givin right as humans and because of this humanity always comes before the wellbeing of the planet. I think this is an incorrect reading of the scriptures. But if we are to take your suggestion seriously, as I think we need to, I think we also need to address how we read scriptures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a massive project, and thanks to you Sangjae for highlighting its implications. Reading the outline posted here, I find myself asking whether our task on this earth is to work with creation or to work against it.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as we try to control nature, as soon as we try to have dominion over life itself, I think we're in for some rough times. The character Ian Malcolm from Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park says it best: “Life breaks free. Life expands to new territories. Painfully, perhaps even dangerously. But life finds a way”
I was saddened to hear of the project being planned in Korea. Isn’t the term “reclamation” an oxymoron when the wetlands are currently as they should be? How arrogant for humans to call this a “reclamation project!”
ReplyDeleteNear my house here in Long Beach there is a beautiful wetlands area which has just been “saved” (partially) from a massive construction development which had been planned. The Bolsa Chica Wetlands is one of my favorite places to walk and contemplate life. At this joining of land and sea, there is incredible bio-diversity and the variety of bird species alone is amazing! Wetlands are nature’s way of assisting with flood control and serve as a natural filter for water. Unfortunately, they are also a target for “developers” who view them as an income-generating project waiting to happen. Understanding the interconnected web of which we are but just a part. We should not be destroying these ecological powerhouses of nature!!
Through the Saemanguem project, the amount of cereals will increase. Many people will get a job there. However, the rate of ocean lives may dramatically decrease because ocean lives lost their habitats. And migratory birds no longer come back to Korea because the mudflats offer food and habitats to migratory birds, and also give the habitats ocean lives which live in mudflats like selfish, clam, and crab. The ecosystem has been destroyed and will be more destroyed by the Saemanguem project.
ReplyDeleteI could remember that there were a lot of demonstrates which tried to stop the Saemanguem project. However, the Korean government and major company did not listen to the voice of people. At that time, I felt frustrated and angry because I noticed that the minority as a small number, could not fight against the majority as big number.
Although minority cannot rapidly change the world, we need to keep demonstrating our voice to accomplish the justice and right!
This is a wonderful post and I whole-heartedly agree with most things that have been written here about these wetlands and about the environment in general. I lament the lost of pristine areas like this and hope and pray for a turnaround.
ReplyDeleteYet while I say these things, and give much credit to Sangjiae, I also am concerned with his approach to the problem. As he wrote, “To solve the impending global environmental crises, we have to establish a Christian world view to create a sustainable society.” Yes, I agree with this statement. I also agree with Sinnamon’s declaration that we need to work on interpreting scripture correctly, but doesn’t this issue go much deeper than this? Does a Christian world-view only consider the environment, or does it consider the whole of creation, including human dignity?
When I write this, I mean that this issue probably isn’t just about the wetlands. It’s probably not just about the immediate so-called needs of the South Korean government when it “reclaimed” the wetlands. It’s probably about globalization, the desire for second-world countries to live at the level of first-world countries, and over-population caused by lack of education, etc. People need food and dignity. What do we do about that?
I DON’T know what the issues are that affect South Korea, or even what has affected these wetlands, but my point is that it is far too easy in this day and age to lament environmental destruction, and to go head-to-head against it, without taking into consideration that there are myriad considerations when approaching an environmental problem other than the environment. To single out only the environmental weakens the human condition as well as the environment.
As Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, commented, “a morality that believes itself able to dispense with the technical knowledge of economic laws is not morality but moralism. As such, it is the antithesis of morality.”1
I’m not Catholic, but I still think this view has much to offer. When we look at a problem like that which exists with these wetlands, we need to take into account all sides. As Christian leaders, it is our responsibility, if possible, to bring governments (both local and national), environmentalists, and local inhabitants together at the same table to search for peaceful resolutions. Governments which need to meet the needs of their people (whether misguided or not) and people who are starving and hopeful for a better future, aren’t going to be concerned about the environment unless they can see and understand that there are better ways of using our resources than the misguided ways of the past.
In other words, as we seek to better the environment, we must simultaneously care for our economic needs. Doing so accounts for human dignity, which is just as scriptural as caring for the environment. Or, as Michael J Naughton wrote in Ethics and World Religions, “A critical cornerstone principle to the Catholic social tradition is Integral Human Development. This development has multiple dimensions to it. We survive. Economic goods serve as a floor to the rest of human development. Yet, our goal in life is not merely to survive. We have families to nurture, an intellect to develop, friendships to mature, as soul to nourish.”2 Care for the environment at the same time we care for human economic needs.
1 - Regina Wentzel Wolfe and Christine E. Gudorf,, eds., Ethics and World Religions. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999), 307.
2 - Ibid., 305-306.
I love your post Sunghwan. I agree with Tamara and all of you that “We should not be destroying these ecological powerhouses of nature.”
ReplyDeleteI really don’t know the whole story that why the Korea government does not listen to the voice of Koreans. The Saemanguem is the government project; I assume that they have done some studies regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this project. I am wondering about your solution. You state that, “To solve the impending global environmental crises, we have to establish a Christian world view to create a sustainable society.” Is it a possible solution? Is Christian world view always sustainable society?
Sangjae, thank you for your blog. As you said, I also believe that Christianity can play a very significant role in overcoming environmental crisis of the earth even though some ecological complaints such as Lynn White Jr. consider Christianity anti-ecological religion because they think Christianity has human-centered worldview.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible does not say the nature exists for only human beings’ need, but says it is for all. The nature in the Bible is depicted as being which testify and praise God, and to sustain all living things. (Please see Psalm 19, Psalm 104, and Psalm 148) Therefore, human beings cannot use the nature only for meeting their needs. The nature is for all: God, human beings, and other creatures. I believe these sayings of the Bible can help us to be a Noah’s Ark.
Sanjae- thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. I see this as not only an environmental ethics issue, but as a social justice issue as well. I wonder how this project will affect the workers and people living near the wetlands. In his book, The Future of Creation, Jurgen Moltmann, cites that "the most important element in the further development of civilization is social justice and we shall not be able to achieve social justice without justice for the natural environment (pg. 130)." I think it is fitting that you remind us that God has given us domain over the land, air and animals with the scripture from Genesis. Unfortunately, it seems as if we are not being good caretakers of the world. The Saemanguem Project reminds me of what happend in China with the construction of the 3 Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. This dam was proposed by government officials as well and the overall profit of the dam outweighed the negative environmental impact. The dam took 12 years to build. During and after this time, natural habitats for animals (cranes, fish, dolphins) have been destroyed, the riverbanks have been eroding and the number of floods have increased. By not taking care of the natural environment, Moltmann's statement becomes truth, because the dam also caused millions of village people to lose their homes and a number of diseases amongst the poor who could not relocate or rebuild their homes. I hope this project will not have a similar negative impact on the well being of the people in Korea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sanjae,
ReplyDeleteThis addresses our world issue and how we deal with the health of our society.
I love this because it exposes the government of this country to dare create a project that would further put us at risk to global disaster. It seems like our countries, as smart as we are, seem to get dumber by the minute.
We are standing on one side, seeing our world in trouble and say let's keep up the good work in tearing up our beautiful home.
This disturbs the hell out of me.
I had a chance to see that the last time I was in Korea!
ReplyDeleteIt seems similar to the Japanese airport that they constructed ground up (no pun intended). Sadly, I think they are investing more money to maintain the soil/dirt/ground to just keep it up.
Something about isolated countries with limited physical space creating structures to hold more capacities of residents intrigues me. In Korea and Japan, we see towering apartment complexes, housing hundreds of people. And this makes me wonder about the immigration post made by Yolda also...
By Sagjae Lee
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for late response friends, especially Sande. The value of mudflat is innumerable. First of all, it purifies every pollutant from rivers. Usually, mudflats are formed the place where river meets ocean, and it holds all contaminants until they are cleansed. Moreover, it is the most helpful to improve the quality of water. And it produces plenty of minerals which are food of many oceanic lives. There are much of benefit to human life.
For more information visit http://english.kfem.or.kr/