Expectations for the New Governor of Gyeongnam... "South Korea Ranks 7th in Global Carbon Emissions, Climate Villain Nation"

Gyeongnam Climate Crisis Emergency Action and Gyeongnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference proposing climate crisis policies to candidates for the Gyeongnam Governor. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam Climate Crisis Emergency Action and Gyeongnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference in front of the main gate of Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office on the 19th, proposing climate policies they hope the new governor will implement.

They argued that a candidate who will take full responsibility for and oversee Gyeongnam's climate crisis must be elected as the governor of Gyeongnam.

"It has been found that within the next five years, there is a 50:50 chance that the global average annual temperature will rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels," they said.

They also explained, "The World Meteorological Organization, a UN specialized agency, analyzed that there is a 48% probability that at least one year in the next five years until 2026 will have an average annual temperature 1.5 degrees Celsius or more above pre-industrial levels."

"Food production, which has sharply declined due to the climate crisis, is becoming weaponized to the extent that it causes security crises," and "South Korea is the world's 7th largest carbon emitter, a climate villain country," they pointed out.

They emphasized that voters should elect a governor who is aware that Gyeongnam has the second highest proportion of coal-fired power plants in the country.

The Gyeongnam Climate Crisis Emergency Action proposed to the candidates for Gyeongnam governor the following: ▲ pursue a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 compared to 2018 ▲ expand the share of renewable energy generation to 40% by 2030 ▲ recommend to the government to halt coal power plants by 2030 ▲ ban the construction of new gas power plants within the province ▲ expand solar power installation in public institutions within the province ▲ promote the Yoksido wind power complex as a resident-participatory project ▲ support energy diagnosis and facility improvements for homes and businesses.

They also demanded adoption of pledges including ▲ free city buses during commuting hours to revitalize public transportation ▲ pilot project converting the second lane of roads with eight or more lanes into bicycle-only lanes ▲ establishment of a Just Energy Transition Committee ▲ creation of a climate fund ▲ establishment of a Climate and Air Quality Bureau ▲ operation of vegetarian menus once a week at the provincial office and affiliated institutions ▲ ban on disposable products at funeral halls ▲ mandatory climate change sensitivity education for public officials.

Representative Park Jongkwon stated, "Candidates running in the local elections have not the slightest awareness of the climate crisis," and asserted, "Scientists and journalists worldwide unanimously agree that the climate crisis must become the number one priority."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.