Why should nature be conserved

Title : Why should nature be conserved

Abstract:

Nature can exist without humans, but humans can’t survive without nature. In this sense, nature is a house where humans live, and we define nature as a human environment determining the existence mode of humans. This is the base of why the original quality and structure of nature should be conserved for both nature and humans.

Lots of activities are being carried out to conserve nature in the name of environmental policy, research and conference on environment, and environmental movement, etc. The theme of this conference, IEFC2026, is also a technology-based means for conserving nature through reducing the impact of energy use on nature.

In the above context, this paper aims to explain <why nature as a human environment should be conserved>. In order to achieve the objective, this paper will be composed of three parts below.

Part 1: The terminology, environment, is used in many fields such as academy, government, industry, and even citizen in everyday life. Nonetheless, it has been quite rare to define the concept of environment. Therefore, Part 1 will explain what environment is. The explanation will be composed of firstly <what concept is> and secondly <the kinds of concept>. Based on the two, the concept of environment will be defined. Finally, environmental system which exists as an integrated reality being composed of many conceptual components of environment will be explained.

Part 2: <The Mutual Relationship between Humans and Nature> will be explained. The mutual relationship will be approached from two angles. One is how nature as a human environment determines the existence mode of humans, and the other is the mechanism of the original quality and structure of nature being polluted and destroyed by human activities.

Part 3: As the concluding remarks, Part 3 will examine and discuss two issues. One is the current status of nature as a human environment and the carrying capacity of nature. The other is to examine the two contradictory faces inherent in industrialization having improved material affluence and caused nature being polluted and destroyed

Biography:

Dr. Dai-Yeun Jeong is presently the Director of Asia Climate Change Education Center and an Emeritus Professor of Environmental Sociology at Jeju National University (South Korea). He received BA and MA Degree in Sociology from Korea University, and PhD in Environmental Sociology from University of Queensland (Australia). He was a Professor of environmental sociology at Jeju National University (South Korea) from 1981 to 2012. His past major professional activities include a Teaching Professor at University of Sheffield in UK, the President of Asia-Pacific Sociological Association, a Delegate of South Korean Government to UNFCCC and OECD Environmental Meeting, etc. He has published 13 books including Environmental Sociology, and has conducted 95 environment-related research projects funded by domestic and international organizations.