[Interview] After the Experience: Stories from U-Savers Alumni > 게시글

There is a distinct difference between "knowing" about the climate crisis and "accepting it as a problem I must solve." Since 2021, U-Savers, the university student climate action group under the Climate Change Center, has been bridging this gap. For these students, the climate crisis is not just a headline; it becomes a mission deeply connected to their studies, interests, and future careers. 

Even after the program ends, this experience continues to guide their daily choices and professional paths. In this interview, we meet three U-Savers alumni to hear how their perspectives have evolved and how that change has led them to their current work in policy, ecology, and international cooperation.

 

Ayoung Kim: From Personal Interest to Policy Expertise

My name is Ayoung Kim. I have been interested in environmental issues since my teenage years and have long aspired to become a professional in this field. I pursued both my undergraduate and graduate studies in climate policy, and I am currently working at NEXT Group, a nonprofit climate and energy policy think tank, where I conduct research on renewable energy policy.

Before joining U-Savers, I often felt like I was one of the few people speaking out about the importance of climate action. It was difficult to encourage those around me to share the same values and take action. However, through U-Savers, I met peers who were living out these values in their own ways every day. This shared experience gave me reassurance—that caring deeply about the environment is not unusual—and strengthened my conviction.

One of the most memorable experiences during the program was participating as a youth representative at the “Blue Sky and Net Zero 2050 Campaign Roundtable,” an official side event of the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit (Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030). Standing alongside distinguished leaders in the field and speaking in my own voice about the importance of a clean future and net zero emissions was deeply meaningful to me.

Through this experience, I became more certain that I wanted to go beyond interest and become a policy expert who can drive real change. I began working as a research assistant before continuing into a master’s program to build my expertise. At NEXT Group, I now work on research that develops renewable energy policy roadmaps for Asia’s net-zero transition, grounded in quantitative analysis.

 

There is strength in working together. There are actions and voices that are only possible during youth. If you connect with people who share your values and engage in activities that create visible outcomes, the future—though uncertain at times—can become a little clearer. Stay close to those who share your interests. It will lead to meaningful opportunities.

Juhyun Kim: From an Interest to a Way of Life
I am Juhyun Kim, a member of the 15th U-Savers cohort. I currently work in the Exhibition Greenhouse Operations Support Team at the Seoul Botanic Park. My role involves creating informational displays to help visitors better engage with plants, as well as planning and managing seasonal exhibitions throughout the year.

Through U-Savers, I came to realize that the climate crisis is not just a niche concern, but a key global issue that experts across fields are actively analyzing and addressing. One particularly memorable experience was participating in climate leadership training alongside professionals from the corporate sector. Inspired by that experience, I continued volunteering in youth environmental education for three years after completing the program.
 

Our team also organized several plogging activities focusing specifically on collecting cigarette butts. We even lifted drainage covers to clean inside them. At first, some citizens were uncomfortable with what we were doing, but as heavy rainfall later that summer brought attention to drainage-related waste issues, people began to understand the purpose of our efforts. That shift in perception remains one of my most memorable experiences.

As the climate crisis accelerates, I want to become someone who can adapt to these changes effectively. Plants, as natural absorbers of CO₂ without external energy input, inspired me to pursue a career working with them. In addition to exhibition operations, I also cultivate and propagate native seeds to share with the public. Going forward, I hope to contribute to plant conservation and help build ecological foundations that can adapt to a changing climate.
 

Even now, I stay connected with my U-Savers peers—proof of how meaningful that year was. The experience of coming together with people from diverse backgrounds around a shared concern for the environment is an invaluable asset. Take every opportunity to participate, observe, and connect. It will stay with you for a long time.

 

Doyoung Kim: Discovering New Perspectives on the Climate Crisis
I am Doyoung Kim, a member of the 13th U-Savers cohort. After graduating, I worked for about a year in an ESG evaluation team at a construction company. I am now part of the International Cooperation Team at the Climate Change Center.

Having majored in environmental studies, I initially approached environmental issues from a scientific perspective. However, through U-Savers, I came to understand that solving environmental challenges requires not only science, but also diverse approaches. This realization gradually broadened how I view the climate crisis in my daily life.
 

One of my most memorable experiences was participating in a tree-planting event in Cheorwon at the end of 2020. Due to COVID-19, many activities were held online, so being able to go on-site and plant trees made it especially meaningful. It was also personally significant, as I had completed my military service in Cheorwon. I also remember sharing valuable conversations with fellow participants and mentors after the activity.

Afterward, I became interested in exploring ways to address environmental issues beyond purely scientific approaches. I began my career in an ESG team at a construction company and now work on international mitigation projects and carbon credit-based approaches at CCC. There are many different ways to respond to the climate crisis. During your time in the program, I encourage you to explore your interests and develop your own area of expertise based on your strengths. Move forward with confidence and determination.

 

 

The U-Savers experience does not end with simply learning about the climate crisis—it becomes a turning point that shapes what participants choose in their lives afterward. Some pursue careers in climate policy research, others work directly with plants and ecosystems, and others engage in international cooperation and market-based solutions.

 

While their paths differ, they share a common thread: the climate crisis has become a defining lens through which they shape their work and lives. Climate action begins with small, repeated choices—choices about what to study, what career to pursue, and how to live. As U-Savers continues to expand climate action into everyday life, the 19th cohort will soon embark on their own journeys, each with their own questions and approaches.