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Korea Herald
19-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Now is time for K-sports to lead global stage: KSOC chief Ryu Seung-min
Ex-Olympic table tennis champion hopes to build a stronger sports culture to advance all levels of sports, from professionals to community sports While Korean music and businesses are making big waves internationally, now is the time for Korean sports to lead on the global stage and demonstrate how sports can be more than just a game, said the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee president during a session at the 7th Global Business Forum held in Seoul, Wednesday. The GBF, organized by The Korea Herald and Herald Business, is a 15-week program held every Wednesday that brings together business leaders, diplomats and industry experts to discuss emerging global trends and challenges shaping the future economy. During his lecture, Ryu Seung-min, the head of the KSOC, highlighted that the Korean sports world is at a key moment of influence thanks to the country's strong performance at the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris last year. "(Last year's Olympics) was a defining moment that showed K-sports as a true global powerhouse. And as a former Olympic champion, I felt a sense of responsibility and wanted to help continue this success," said Ryu, 42, who won the men's table tennis at the 2004 Olympic Games. In Paris, the 16-year-old Ban Hyo-jin made headlines by winning the women's 10-meter air rifle gold medal. The fencing team achieved the valuable feat of winning two gold medals and one silver medal. South Korea exceeded its initial goal with 13 gold medals, tying its record for the most at a Summer Games, and finished eighth in the medal table. To make the leap, Ryu noted that Korea should take cues from the International Olympic Committee, which assists all National Olympic Committees with athlete development programs, as well as refugee athletes. "Korea should also follow the IOC model and build an independent, respected and athlete-centered sports organization that puts athletes and coaches first and creates a healthy environment to practice and play sports," Ryu explained. In his post-athletic career, Ryu served as a member of the IOC from 2016 to 2024 and president of the Korea Table Tennis Association from 2019 to 2024. Ryu also expressed hopes of building a stronger sports culture, calling for more interest and support to advance Korean sports at all levels: from professionals and community sports to the businesses and culture surrounding sports as well. As the evening progressed, Kim Young-sang, president of The Korea Herald, held a special interview session with marathoner Lee Bong-ju, who won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Lee, who ran long-distance before the sport reached today's popularity levels, said he was glad to see more people taking part in marathons. "Compared to 15 or 16 years ago, there are so many marathon competitions today. The enthusiasm is so high that it's difficult to even register for some of these races because they fill up quickly, and I am happy about the change," Lee said. "A Marathon is about having a goal and running toward achieving that goal. But do not overdo it. I hope that marathons can be something people simply enjoy, help people improve their health, strengthen their mental health and infuse positive energy into their daily lives," Lee noted.
Canada Standard
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
2030 Biodiversity Target Was Always a Long Shot, UK Official Says
When negotiators in Montreal agreed in 2022 to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss by 2030, many knew the goal was ambitious, says a former United Kingdom negotiator-but the targets were about more than just hitting the numbers. In an interview with Carbon Brief, William Lockhart, who represented the UK at United Nations nature negotiations from 2021 to early 2025, expressed ambivalence about whether countries can meet the conservation targets of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), aimed at reversing biodiversity loss within five years. It remains possible with "the right interventions at exactly the right scale," he said, but countries are not on a trajectory to make it happen. But the numbers attached to the targets aren't the main point of the COP negotiations, Lockhart added. View our latest digests "The important thing is that people spent a lot of time thinking about why we were setting certain kinds of targets," he said, adding that while targets should be specific, measurable and achievable, there were open questions about what those criteria meant, and what message they were meant to send. "This is politics; this isn't necessarily science." More than half the countries that submitted plans to the UN did not commit to protecting 30% of their territories for nature-a target as important to biodiversity conservation as the 1.5C pathway is for climate action, writes Carbon Brief. "Countries have never fully met any target to help nature since the UN biodiversity convention was established in the 1990s." Lockhart questioned the role of UN summits like the COPs and whether they can be effective for global action. In one sense, he said, the world is asking too much of the COPs, "there's so much coverage and intense scrutiny." "'This person's arrived', 'this comma has moved'...There's an extraordinary media circus." But the world also asks too little of the COPs, he added, because success and failure hinges on details as small as particular words, while overall progress stalls. Lockhart said he and his colleagues worry that the COPs are being seen as ends in themselves. "We agree on stuff," he told Carbon Brief. But that stuff "doesn't get delivered, by and large," because "political factors, capability factors, jurisdictional factors, all sorts of different things" undermine implementation processes. "The problem is that by focusing on COPs as an end to themselves, we risk missing the wood for the trees." Still, Lockhart hasn't given up on the talks. "It's extremely important, in my view, that you have a space where the whole world can come together in a room and agree that it wants to do something," he said. If targets like those in the GBF aren't achievable, "then the question is: 'Why did the world agree to it?'" he asked. "And the answer to that is: 'Because it matters that we try.'" Source: The Energy Mix
The National
08-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Norwegian firm planning for first UK deep-sea salmon farm
Offshore salmon farming involves raising fish at sea in submerged cages, several miles away from coastal areas. Modelled on oil platforms, these super-sized farms are bigger than inshore sites and more robust for deeper waters. The new technology is viewed by supporters as a more sustainable form of fish production. But critics have described offshore farming as 'factory farming of the sea' and super farms off Norway have suffered problems such as fish escapes which can impact the marine ecosystem. The finding comes from government documents released under freedom of information law to The Ferret, along with plans leaked from Norwegian aquaculture giant SalMar. They show that the Shetland site, if sanctioned, would see three huge farms spread across an area several times the size of Lerwick – rearing more than five million fish. READ MORE: UK won't recognise Palestine at UN conference despite 'discussions', reports say Proposals for the project are already developed enough for Crown Estate Scotland to be considering specific co-ordinates for the farms. The plans have also been shared with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Shetland Islands Council and the Scottish Government. MSPs were told last month that while firms operating in Norway with links to Scotland are looking at offshore opportunities, no companies currently operating in Scotland are considering this. Campaign group Animal Equality criticised what it described as a 'veil of secrecy' over SalMar's plans, while environmental charity Green Britain Foundation (GBF) said the aquaculture industry was demonstrating it 'can't be trusted'. 'They're apparently planning massive offshore operations in Shetland waters,' said GBF's founder Dale Vince. 'We don't need another experiment in factory farming, in a pristine environment, from an industry in pursuit of profit at any cost.' SalMar did not respond to our request for a comment. Salmon Scotland – which represents salmon farmers – said it had no knowledge of any company plans to move immediately into offshore locations. SalMar in Shetland DURING a visit to Shetland in January, SalMar presented a plan to locals for three separate farms, each five kilometres apart and rearing 1.6 million fish apiece. The site's total footprint would cover more than 25 square kilometres. The plans said the super farm could bring dozens of jobs to Shetland. The scale of the project, however, has concerned local fishers. 'It will mean spatial squeeze inshore and offshore for us,' said Sheila Keith, of Shetland Fishermen's Association. 'I'm not convinced growth is always the best thing for industries in Shetland when we have finite space and parameters to work with. Is expansion the best thing for Shetland?' SalMar presented its plans to a number of local stakeholders, including Yell community council at a public meeting. The community council declined to share the presentation with The Ferret but did volunteer emails from SalMar in which the company said: 'We have chosen not to share any written material such as the presentation shared with you and would not like this to be shared with externals such as the media, please do not share it.' READ MORE: 'Joy, celebration and warmth' of Palestinian art to be showcased at Edinburgh Fringe The firm raised similar concerns with government officials. In emails discussing freedom of information requests, SalMar urged officials to withhold details and they agreed. 'We will redact the specifics on [redacted] proposed and the more specific area of interest first identified, as well as the reference to [redacted] as previously discussed,' an official wrote to SalMar in March. Shetland Islands Council rejected a similar freedom of information request for emails exchanged with SalMar – citing commercial sensitivities and intellectual property rights. The council told The Ferret that it held 'initial pre-application discussions on this matter', but declined to comment further. Holyrood vote this month HOLYROOD will vote on whether to extend marine planning zones into offshore waters later this month, effectively opening up areas to applications for the new technology, as proposed by SalMar for Shetland. At a meeting of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee (RAIC) last month at Holyrood, Salmon Scotland reassured ministers that regulators would have ample time to develop the expertise to keep offshore farms in check, because companies would move 'incrementally' into deeper waters. 'Companies at the moment have no direct, to my knowledge, plans to move immediately into [offshore] location[s],' said Iain Berrill, Salmon Scotland's head of technical. 'We're not going to rush straight to that area.' Government documents show that SalMar has been discussing plans for a farm in Scotland with government officials for at least 18 months. As early as July 2024, Crown Estate Scotland asked SalMar's holding company, Kverva, to provide co-ordinates to check for existing infrastructure like subsea cables in the area, or other developers who have expressed an interest. Most of these documents – a heavily redacted combination of meeting agendas, minutes and emails – were omitted from the Government's initial freedom of information response to The Ferret, but later released on review. At last month's RAIC Holyrood meeting, ministers were told the Government's marine directorate did not have detailed information about the plans. When asked the next day about those plans, a government spokesperson said some of its communications with SalMar are 'commercially sensitive'. When giving his evidence to the RAIC, Salmon Scotland's Berrill did acknowledge that Norwegian companies are already farming in offshore waters abroad. 'There are companies which have facilities in other countries, specifically Norway, which are in those [offshore] locations at the moment, and they have some links to our companies,' he said. 'But at the moment those that are operating here are doing this in an incremental manner.' Scottish Sea Farms (SSF), one of Salmon Scotland's member companies operating in Shetland, is half owned by SalMar. The Government's minutes show that SSF attended at least one of SalMar's planning meetings with officials in June. At that meeting, SalMar agreed to begin sharing co-ordinates with Crown Estate Scotland. READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla urges UK Government to 'protect' ship from Israel as it nears Gaza Neither SalMar nor SSF responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Salmon Scotland confirmed Berrill's evidence. They said: 'The evidence provided to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is accurate – while some Norwegian salmon farming companies have the capability to operate in more exposed offshore locations, none of the companies currently operating in Scotland are seeking to develop such farms at this time.' Crown Estate Scotland's director Mike Spain gave evidence alongside Berrill during last month's committee meeting but did not mention SalMar's plans. A spokesperson said: 'If asked to do so, Crown Estate Scotland occasionally completes checks of the seabed for potential development conflicts as a matter of courtesy. The check is effectively a snapshot in time and does not infer any permissions or development rights.' Holyrood is now expected to vote on opening up Scotland's offshore waters to aquaculture applications on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. If passed, the measures would come into effect a week after on June 18. By extending existing marine planning zones from three nautical miles out to 12, the ultimate consenting decision for offshore farms would still rest with local councils, as it currently does for inshore farms. 'There are a lot of unknowns' OFFSHORE salmon farms – mostly in Norway – have a mixed track record. While almost 16,000 fish escaped during SalMar's first offshore trial in 2019, the company has claimed record low fish deaths in more recent rounds of production. During the RAIC meeting last month, various experts described the technology as untested. From fish health to the logistics of getting staff around the massive sites, the RSPCA told ministers 'there are a lot of unknowns'. The head of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, Elspeth Macdonald, raised concerns about the overall environmental impact of offshore farms – such as fish escapes, the impact of offshore infrastructure or the volumes of fish excrement they might generate. SalMar has now put its offshore plans in Norway 'on hold', according to its website, 'due to regulatory uncertainty'. If Holyrood passes the amendment later this month, SalMar is expected to begin its application for Britain's first deep-sea salmon farm this summer. That process would involve a pre-application consultation and public events in Shetland. A final application could then be submitted with Shetland Islands Council, which is responsible for putting the plans past national regulators.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Nature and humanity, hand in hand
MALAYSIA is home to some of the world's richest biodiversity. From lush rainforests and winding rivers to vibrant coral reefs, our natural heritage provides clean air, fresh water, food security, climate stability and cultural identity. To achieve true sustainability, we must recognise that nature is not just a resource but is also the foundation of life. When ecosystems thrive, they help secure a sustainable future for all. Some of Malaysia's most treasured wildlife includes the Malayan tiger, the Bornean orangutan, Borneo pygmy elephant, Malayan tapir and endangered sea turtles, such as the Green turtle and Hawksbill turtle. These remarkable animals are not only symbols of our national and natural heritage but they are also indicators of the health of our environment. They remind us of the urgent need for conservation. Our biodiversity is under threat. Habitat loss, pollution, unsustainable practices and climate change are pushing species and ecosystems to the brink. World Biodiversity Day was celebrated on May 22 and this year's theme, 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,' reminds us that the health of our planet is inseparable from human progress. It highlights the interconnectedness between the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The message is clear, whereby we cannot achieve sustainable development without protecting biodiversity. Nature supports every aspect of sustainable development, from poverty mitigation and health to economic growth and climate resilience. In recent days, the heart-breaking loss of a baby elephant has sparked widespread concern. The government has also responded and agreed to create more ecological corridors to enable wildlife to move across landscapes, which can thus reduce conflict. These corridors will also benefit many other wildlife species and allow the ecosystem to thrive. These commitments reflect the ambitions of the GBF, particularly Target 2, which aims to restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems, and Target 9, which focuses on minimising human-wildlife conflict through sustainable solutions. This approach also supports the objectives of SDG 13, which calls for urgent climate action and highlights the importance of ecosystem connectivity and adaptive management to build climate resilience. In addition, it aligns with SDG 15, which promotes the protection, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems to safeguard life on land. Protecting biodiversity is not just about saving wildlife. It is about safeguarding our future. By restoring ecosystems and improving landscape connectivity, we can build a more resilient and sustainable Malaysia for generations to come. All parties, including the private sectors should work together with the government and conservation bodies towards this cause. At WWF-Malaysia, we are committed to solutions that benefit both people and nature. Our living landscape effort integrates tiger conservation, sustainable palm oil, responsible forestry and circular economy innovations, all in close collaboration with communities, businesses and policymakers. Together we are building landscapes where wildlife can thrive and people can prosper. Living in harmony with nature is not just a dream for the future; it is a choice we must make every day. Every action matters, from supporting conservation efforts to embracing sustainable lifestyles. Change begins with us. Let us embrace a future where nature and humanity move forward hand in hand, ensuring a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come. Because at WWF-Malaysia, we believe it is only 'together possible'. Join us in making a difference. WWF-Malaysia's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Comments: letters@
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Development without the savaging of urban biodiversity
Biodiversity, which refers to the variety and the variability of living organisms on this earth — and fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all— is under peril. About 25% of species are facing the threat of extinction. The theme for International Day for Biological Diversity this year (observed annually on May 22) is 'Harmony with nature and sustainable development'. The date 'commemorates the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on May 22, 1992'. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was also developed by the CBD with four goals as well as 23 targets to conserve global biodiversity (conserve and manage 30% of terrestrial and marine biodiversity) by 2030. Target 12 of the GBF lays emphasis on enhancing green and blue spaces in cities and urban planning for human well-being and biodiversity conservation. Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal also states the importance of making cities and human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable. But, still, urban biodiversity is under great threat with unplanned development and human greed. Green space in urban sprawls Almost half the world's population lives in urban areas, a percentage that is expected to rise to 70% by 2050. City spaces are of premium value and face competing demands. In such a situation, do we have space for greenery? The answer is yes if you consider the range of benefits urban biodiversity offers. First, health benefits. Urban trees provide provisional services such as food, fibre and water, minimise the urban heat island effect (a much discussed topic) and help in flood control. They help in temperature control, pollution abatement, water conservation and carbon sequestration, and keeping carbon dust and suspended particulate matter in check. Tree lines of a 10 metre width can reduce noise pollution by 5 decibels. In Frankfurt, green belts were shown to reduce the temperature by 3.5° C and increase the relative humidity by 5% when compared to the city centre. Green spaces also provide much needed recreational and spiritual services in the form of parks in what would otherwise be concrete jungles. Second, economic benefits. Theodore Endreny, Professor of Water Resources and Ecological Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry estimated the value of annual services provided by mega city trees to be around $9,67,000 (₹8 crore) per square kilometre of tree cover. Therefore, protecting existing greenery, pursuing the development of parks and new urban green spaces, establishing tree avenues along the roads, and conserving natural rivers and water bodies should be undertaken. The key element of developing green infrastructure is promoting community health and well-being. In its latest report, the Forest Survey of India has estimated the average forest cover in leading urban cities to be only 10.26% of their geographical area (Mumbai 25.43%; New Delhi and Hyderabad 12.6%, Bengaluru, Chennai and Ahmedabad 6.85%, 4.66% and 3.27%, respectively). Chennai and Hyderabad have lost 2.6 and 1.6 square kilometres of forest cover between the 2021 and 2023 assessments. The GBF gives a framework to urban planners for biodiversity conservation in cities by protecting blue and green spaces and developing new ones. It suggests enhancing native biodiversity, ecological connectivity and improving human health and well-being. In this context, the UN Habitat's 3-30-300 prescription is relevant. The principle is: Every home, workplace, or school should have a view of at least three established trees. Neighbourhoods should have a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover and a public green space of at least 0.5 to 1.0 hectares, should be accessible within a 300-metre walk or bike ride from every home. City biodiversity index A city biodiversity index is prepared based on the present status of the city in terms of three large parameters — the extent of native biodiversity in the city, ecosystem services provided by them and the level of governance of biodiversity. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiative (ICLEI) Asia has prepared a city biodiversity index using 23 indicators for cities such as Kochi, Gangtok and Nagpur. Once the current biodiversity status of the city is assessed through a survey, a local biodiversity strategy and action plan (LBSAP) is prepared to improve the status of the city in terms of biodiversity conservation and sustainable human welfare. Urban areas have the resilience to support biodiversity if there is an enabling environment. Local biodiversity could be augmented while undertaking plantations in cities. In Chennai, the greening of the Chennai Koyambedu market in 2021 (undertaken by the Care Earth Trust with the financial support of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority) helped in the natural regeneration of 141 species of higher plants belonging to 39 families and 106 genera within two years. The site also attracted 35 bird and 27 butterfly species that are considered bioindicators of biological diversity. The Koyambedu model mimics a three-storied natural forest which would be better than the Miyawaki model to enhance native biodiversity in small parcels of land available in cities. The Care Earth Trust prepared a strategy and action plan in 2018 for the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to plant one million native trees in Chennai city over five years. The sprawling Madras Race Club land at Guindy is being transformed into a lake for augmenting groundwater recharge. However, urban development and encroachment has swallowed up many waterbodies in and around Chennai and Bengaluru. The crucial Pallikaranai marsh in Chennai which was once considered a wasteland and garbage dump has been partly restored and declared as a reserved forest (Ramsar site). Most urban waterbodies are losing their ecological integrity due to garbage and sewage pollution. They must be ecologically restored after preventing garbage dumping and treating sewage through conventional treatment or nature-based solutions. Ensuring legal protection to the remaining lakes and waterbodies in urban areas is a necessity before they are lost. Many independent houses in Chennai have now given way to multi-storeyed flats leading to the disappearance of home garden trees (coconut, mango, jackfruit). This could also be a reason for the reduction in the city's green cover. As a condition to granting planning permission for new structures, the GCC should consider mandating the planting of at least five trees in a plot that measures over 2,400 square feet along the plot boundary. This will help greening the city in a decentralised manner. The horticulture department should also promote roof gardens and kitchen gardens for every household to m cultivate greens and medicinal plants. This will not only help in augmenting city biodiversity but also help in improving the health and well-being of people. Need for collective action City managers need to take stringent action against those who destroy greenery and pollute waterbodies. It is heartening that the Supreme Court of India has been tough on the executive for the mass destruction of trees over acres in the Kancha Gachibowli area in Hyderabad, for the development of IT infrastructure. Development should not lead to the wanton destruction of biodiversity. City managers must mainstream biodiversity considerations in decision making, taking a long-term view to achieve sustainable development. The involvement of all stakeholders such as the resident welfare associations, non-governmental organisations and corporates in city greening and protecting waterbodies from pollution and encroachment is important to make biodiversity conservation a mass movement in cities. S. Balaji, IFS, is presently Co-Chairman, Access and Benefit Sharing Committee of the National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu. The views expressed are personal
