Gwangju Area Teacher Organizations "Will Actively Work to Address the Climate Crisis"

‘Formation of Gwangju Teachers' Action Meeting for Climate Crisis Response’

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Teacher organizations in the Gwangju area have formed the Gwangju Teachers' Action Council to respond to the climate crisis and reaffirmed their commitment to action.

The Gwangju Teachers' Labor Union, Gwangju Metropolitan City Teachers' Association Federation, and the National Teachers' Union Gwangju Branch announced on the 4th through a statement that they have agreed to take joint action to actively promote policies responding to the climate crisis.

They stated, "The climate crisis caused by global warming has already come close to us in the form of various disasters and is changing our lives. Our children check fine dust apps every morning, carry masks, and live lives where they cannot breathe comfortably or drink water safely without air purifiers and water purifiers."

They continued, "Sparrows, fireflies, and swallows, which previous generations commonly saw, are now only encountered as digital images on cold computer monitors," and explained, "To respond to this climate crisis, gatherings are being formed across various sectors, and joint actions for solidaristic coexistence are being taken."

Furthermore, they said, "Our youth are also taking actions to secure their right to survival through constitutional petitions, absentee protests, and campaigns, and the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is implementing policies such as forming the 'Climate Crisis Emergency Action Task Force.' Teachers have also practiced environmental and ecological education and participated in environmental movements through networks outside of schools, but more active action is required in this global climate crisis era."

Along with this, they emphasized, "We, the educational stakeholders, intend to actively take action to respond to the climate crisis starting from schools with the mindset that 'we are the green.' For a 'great transformation of life' that prioritizes purification over production, justice over growth, and life over profit, our teacher organizations will strive."

They added, "We will enhance climate crisis sensitivity through learning, research, and discussion and find practical directions to respond to the climate crisis. We will set monthly action tasks and work so that students, teachers, and parents can practice them together, and we will gather opinions and consult to enable the education office to promote more active policies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.