Conference Introduction

In 2007, environmental sociologists in East Asia organized the first International Symposium on Environmental Sociology in East Asia (ISESEA). Since this inaugural meeting, ISESEA has been hold biennially to provide a platform for environmental sociologists and other social scientists to debate complex socio-ecological issues and sustainability transition, particularly from an East Asian perspective. Co-hosting with RC 24 of International Sociological Association, the Korean Association for Environmental Sociology (KAES) will host the 7th ISESEA with the theme of “Social Actions to Climate Change and Energy Transition in East Asia: Toward a Sustainable Planet” at Seoul National University during October 26th~28th, 2019.

In the late 20th century, East Asian countries experienced unprecedented social and ecological changes with rapid economic growth. In this process, many citizens have become victims of environmental pollution, but economic growth remains a top priority in East Asia. As a result, given the share of East Asia in the global economy, East Asian countries have been increasingly responsible for global environmental problems. The transition to a sustainable society has become a significant challenge that East Asian countries can no longer ignore.

Fortunately, there is an increasing number of social actions in East Asia that seek sustainability transition. For example, not only renewable energy is spreading rapidly in East Asia, but also in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, long-term policies are in place to shut down nuclear power plants. However, contentious politics for sustainable societies in East Asia is still in its infancy. Growth coalition, which claims the inevitability of nuclear power, still has a strong influence, and developmental policies to destroy the natural environment are also continuing. Furthermore, the historical experience shared by East Asian countries, including export-led economic growth, the legacy of authoritarian politics, and strong aspirations for economic growth, further complicates the politics of transition between state, market and civil society. From a comparative historical point of view, the experience of East Asian countries will provide various implications for developing emerging debates, such as climate justice, energy democracy, and degrowth, as well as major topics of environmental sociology, and seeking “just transition”. We hope the 7th ISESEA vitalizes discussion on social actions to climate change and energy transition, rethinking its challenges and implications toward a sustainable planet.