President Lee calls for 'green' way of life to fight climate change

SEOUL, Aug. 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak urged South Korean citizens
Monday to change their way of life into one that is more environmentally
friendly, saying international efforts to fight climate change begin with those
of the individual.

"There is something more important than green technology, and that is a green way
of life," Lee said in his biweekly national radio address.
"This is because it takes much time and money to develop green technology, but
anyone can start leading a green life even today," the president said.
Such individual efforts will translate into billions of dollars in savings as the
country relies on imports for over 97 percent of its energy needs, he said.
"We can make or save over 10 trillion won (US$8.1 billion) a year if we reduce
our energy use by 10 percent, because our country depends on imports for
virtually all its energy needs," Lee said.
The president also called for increased use of public transportation, noting a
vehicle emits 200 kilograms of greenhouse gas each time it makes a round trip
between the capital Seoul and southern port city Busan, a drive of some
900-kilometers.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)