Professor Choi Jaecheon of Ewha Womans University: "If Earth's temperature rises by 2 degrees, humanity will be extinct in 77 years"

The Entire Globe Under Abnormal Climate Influence
Biodiversity Loss Triggers Food Crisis
Warning of Severe Climate Change Impact

Choi Jae-chun, a world-renowned scholar in the field of evolutionary biology and distinguished professor at Ewha Womans University, warned about the severity of climate change, stating that "if the Earth's temperature rises by 2 degrees, humanity will become extinct in 77 years."

Choi Jae-cheon, Ewha Womans University Distinguished Professor. [Image source=Asia Economy DB]

Professor Choi recently appeared on Ewha Womans University's YouTube channel to discuss with students whether humans will become extinct if climate change continues.

Professor Choi expressed concern, saying, “Our country's climate patterns have begun to change, with the monsoon lasting 54 days in 2020, marking the longest monsoon on record, and in 2021, severe human casualties occurred due to floods in Western Europe. In the past, natural disasters were stories we only heard about on the news, but now the entire globe is under the influence of abnormal climate conditions.”

He continued, "If the Earth's average temperature rises by 2 degrees, about half of biodiversity could disappear, and 96% of biologists voted that humanity would become extinct as a result. Calculating this prediction literally means there are 77 years left from this year.” In fact, international organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn to limit the global temperature rise to below 2 degrees during the 21st century.

Professor Choi also pointed out the reduction of biodiversity and the resulting food crisis due to climate change as problems. He said, “Most crops require pollination, and honeybees alone are responsible for 80% of all pollination. If honeybees disappear due to climate change, there will be no way to cultivate crops. With 80% of crops disappearing, how could a food crisis not occur?”

Furthermore, he explained that the environmental destruction caused by climate change will spread from the oceans to the land. Professor Choi predicted, “As the oceans, which cover 70% of the Earth's surface, become acidified, marine life is beginning to experience various difficulties starting with reproductive disruption. Once marine biodiversity starts to collapse, the impact will be transmitted to the land.”

In the face of the enormous climate change crisis, Professor Choi suggested that humanity adopt a proactive stance. He emphasized, "International organizations such as the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), and IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) must lead step by step, followed by national policy development and individual action, forming a well-coordinated triad.”

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