Korean Youth Reflect on Waste & Responsibility

Twelve Korean authors published Today We Protect the Earth a Little More, a collection of essays aimed at young adults that explores personal relationships with waste and encourages mindful living. The book moves beyond simple calls to reduce trash, instead prompting readers to consider rebuilding rather than reacting to the climate crisis.

The authors, poets, novelists, essayists, and activists, share honest accounts of their own consumption habits and the challenges of reducing waste in a consumer society. They examine the journey of recyclable materials, highlighting the often-difficult labor involved in sorting them, and reflect on how everyday choices impact the environment.

Several writers emphasize the importance of community and shared responsibility. They advocate for fostering connections with both people and objects, finding joy in simplicity, and trusting that collective, small actions can create change. The book encourages readers to imagine the lifecycle of their discarded items and to recognize the resources and labor embedded within them.