November 13, 2023 — In the third installment of Asia Society Korea Youth (ASK-Y), sustainable development discourse took center stage. Guided by Professor Daniel Pinkston and moderated by Zumaro Zumaro, participants delved into intricate environmental issues, explored innovative solutions, and posed significant questions.

Professor Daniel Pinkston, hailing from Troy University, covered the foundational aspects of environmental challenges such as economic goods division and excludability. This comprehensive overview extended to natural environments, domestic politics, and international relations, accompanied by insights into challenges and valuable data sources for participants.

The professor's exploration of global implications turned the spotlight on negative externalities, transboundary issues, and their far-reaching political reverberations. Specific damages to ecosystems, including world water resources and the consequences of deforestation, were scrutinized, offering a detailed understanding of the environmental landscape. Professor Pinkston further elucidated success factors in environmental management, unveiling five key determinants ranging from NGO efforts to considerations for developing countries and leader consensus.

The session delved into country-specific approaches, illustrating unilateral, bi-, and multilateral strategies with real-world examples like the Montreal, Kyoto, and Paris agreements. A deeper dive into global commitments and agreements, from UN conventions and summits to the 2015 commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, showcased the evolving landscape of international cooperation. Professor Pinkston brought the presentation to a thoughtful close by reflecting on the dilemmas associated with development, emphasizing the crucial role of "good governance." 

2023 Panel Sessions and Topics