As humankind contemplates how to address the threats posed by global climate change, South Korea’s president Lee Myung-bak says the nation can become a world leader in eco-friendly “green growth” technologies. And yet, some are questioning how “green” these projects are, with a growing chorus of environmentalists protesting against major government projects, such as the Saemangeum Sea Wall, the Incheon Mud Flats reclamation and, most recently, the president’s controversial Four Rivers Renovation Project.

My guest this week is Nial Moores, Director of Birds Korea, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats in Korea and the wider Yellow Sea Eco-region. Through research, education and public awareness-raising activities, Birds Korea is helping to shed light on the impact of development on Korea’s waterbirds. A resident of Korea since 1998, Mr. Moores has a background in ecological planning and conservation biology, and he worked with the Ministry of Environment on a wetlands biodiversity project in 2001-02. During our interview, I talk with Nial Moores about Korea’s waterbirds, his research, and how Korea can harness the power behind its industrial and social "miracles" to create an environmental one.

More information: http://www.birdskorea.org