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Climate Change and South Korea |
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by Soyeon Cho | 21-03-2019 19:11
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Climate change is one of the most significant and impactful issues in the world today, directly and indirectly causing environmental, social, and economic consequences that can change millions of people’s lives. The rapid increase in the level of emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and more has alarmed many scientists for the past several years. For example, average levels of atmospheric CO2 increased from 403.3 parts per million (ppm) in 2015 to 405.5 ppm in 2017. The Earth has not experienced this CO2 level in 3-5 million years (UN), showing how significant the current situation is. This rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere heavily accelerates the greenhouse effect, causing a variety of other global issues, ranging from global warming, droughts, and heat waves, to unpredictable weather patterns, habitat loss, and much more (NASA). To give an example of a country and its policies on climate change, South Korea has been viewed as undergoing many developments in its policies towards preventing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in the recent years, but the country’s policies are still “highly insufficient” in meeting the Paris Agreement goals of limiting the increase in temperature at 1.5°C by 2030 (Climate Action Tracker). Therefore, South Korea needs to reduce climate change by reducing its consumption of fossil fuels, especially coal, which takes up around 40% of the energy sources used every year (Reuter), as well as other products that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is particularly supported by how it has been determined that the SK government has not limited coal plants as much as other countries such as the UK. Additionally, individuals can help by changing habits: use public transportation, or, even better, walk and bike. Reuse, reduce and recycle waste to cut down on the energy needed to dispose of it and produce new products. Finally, raise awareness about the issue by participating in climate strikes (like the recent ones initiated by young changemakers) and spreading the word! Cho, Soyeon. Waste-to-Energy Plant in Pangyo. Seongnam, 12 Dec. 2017. Chung, Jane, and David Evans. “South Korea to Cap Operations of Coal, Oil Power Plants Due to Air...” Reuters, Reuters, 6 Nov. 2018, www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-coal-pollution/south-korea-to-cap-operations-of-coal-oil-power-plants-due-to-air-pollution-idUSKCN1NB1IU. “Climate Facts and Figures - United Nations Sustainable Development.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-facts-and-figures/. “Global Climate Change: Effects.” NASA, NASA, 28 Nov. 2018, climate.nasa.gov/effects/. “South Korea.” Climate Action Tracker, Climate Action Tracker, 3 Dec. 2018, climateactiontracker.org/countries/south-korea/.
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5 Comments
Hi Soyeon,
This is another amazing report, and as a Korean citizen, thank you for addressing climate change problem in Korea. Climate change is really changing the world and in fact Korea is not an exception. Although these days government is taking some measures to protect the nature and mitigate the climate change effects, I do not think our efforts are enough. We have to take some more extreme actions.
I am looking forward to read your next report! Keep up the good work.
Louis Mentor
Posted 01-04-2019 01:16
Hello Soyeon!
Thank you for writing a wonderful report addressing the current situation in South Korea and how Korean government is adapting to climate changes. It??s a relief that the government is trying to develop many regulations and policies to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, but I think it still has a long way to go. Also, it is very useful that you also mentioned some actions we can take in our daily lives to stop the climate change. Thank you again for sharing this issue with fellow ambassadors. I do believe that by sharing each country??s current environmental situation and how they react to it, people in the world can understand each other better.
Wonhee Mentor
Posted 29-03-2019 16:58
Hello Soyeon
I do hope that you are fine and doing great with your works. Thank you for your beautiful report about climate change and its effect in Korea. Climate change has serious impact on many sector more or less around globe. Issue of climate justice arises too as all the countries aren't equally contributing for the cause but have been bearing the impacts.
Green Cheers from Nepal :)
Keep writing great reports.
We are eager to read more reports from you.
Yours,
Kushal Naharki
Posted 25-03-2019 15:20
Hello soyeon
Fossil fuels are truly dreadful for environment.
Thank you so much for letting us know about climate change in South Korea.
Hope everything settles down very soon.
Green cheers from Nepal.
Posted 24-03-2019 00:48
Hey Soyeon,
I trust you are well, I can relate with the repercussions we are facing here in South Africa. The Summer season has shown us heavy rains that lead to flooding of roads and houses, as well as the scorching heat that left many with health risks.
Not only the Nation of Korea, but most of the countries who signed and agreed on the Paris Agreement have not conformed to the agreement today, hence the high carbon emission rate.
I concur that looking into using public transport, applying the concepts of the three R's and using less fossil fuels with certainly reflect a lower emission value. We really need to start somewhere and start now.
That your or your report Soyeon, I look forward to the next one.
Sincerely,
Rosa
Posted 22-03-2019 16:33