As the 21st and 22nd Eco-generation Regional Ambassador for South Korea, I have been writing monthly reports on various environmental issues related to the country, advocating for the organization as an ambassador, and participating in monthly events. 

I feel that participating in this program gave a sense of community among the Tunza members and ambassadors, who are all change makers for the future. Also, it was meaningful reading other ambassadors’ reports and exchanging feedback about these global issues that apply in many countries. 

From the experience, I learned to to explore a wider variety of topics related to the environment in South Korea, thanks to the monthly topics and inspiration from other reports. I also learned the importance of taking continuous action and being consistent with raising environmental awareness. Reading my previous reports a year ago makes me think that my understanding and my awareness raising of the South Korean environment has developed and accumulated over time. 

My favorite part about the entire program was when I wrote my monthly report about the Jeju Bijarim forest. This is a forest on Jeju Island where ancient trees have been officially protected for hundreds of years, but it is threatened by plans to develop roads around a potential airport, even though the proposal for the airport is still uncertain. Then, I researched and found out that hundreds of trees were already being cut, despite the strong opposition from the citizens and environmental groups. After writing this report, I visited Jeju and passed through the Bijarim forest. Some of the trees had already been cut, but more trees were decorated with signs that fought for a halt on the destruction of the Bijarim, and activists were advocating for protecting the forest. Seeing what I had researched and shared to other changemakers in person was a meaningful experience, and I therefore want to continue sharing information about this issue to help prevent the destruction of this environment. 

In many ways, the Eco-Generation Regional Ambassador program by the Tunza Eco-generation organization has added to my experience as a changemaker, and I look forward to finishing this term strong with impactful reports.