[Inside Chodong] The Hot Earth and the U.S. Presidential Election

Climate Alarm Bells Ring Across the Globe:
"The Impact Reaches All Humanity While Responsibility Is Deferred"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"There is no way to reverse it once the Earth's average temperature rise reaches 1.5 degrees. The only existential threat to humanity is climate change." (Joe Biden, President of the United States)

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about '1.5 degrees.' It started during the first tropical night of the year that hit Seoul on the 21st of last month. It was the earliest tropical night in 117 years since modern meteorological observations began. The stifling, humid air makes body temperature rise. Body temperature is sensitive even to small changes. Normally considered a normal body temperature of 36.5 degrees, if it rises by just 1.5 degrees to 38 degrees, it becomes a clear fever state. It is worse during the day. Last month, the number of heatwave days (days with a maximum temperature of 33 degrees or higher) nationwide was 2.8 days, breaking the record for the most heatwave days in June since nationwide meteorological observations began in 1973 (previously 1.9 days in 2020). Because of this situation, the number of people suffering from heat-related illnesses such as dizziness and vomiting caused by increased body temperature due to heat more than doubled compared to last year.

Over the past 30 years, the rate of increase in heatwave days in Seoul has shown the steepest curve among major cities worldwide. According to a heatwave survey conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) targeting 20 major densely populated cities including Tokyo, London, Manila, Cairo, Paris, Beijing, and Bangkok, Seoul's heat increase rate reached 7,360%. This figure overwhelms Buenos Aires (3,440%) and Jakarta (3,200%). Although the heatwave eased somewhat with the start of the monsoon over the weekend, the upcoming midsummer heatwave is already a concern. Some experts predict that after the monsoon ends, Seoul will be hit by an unprecedented heatwave exceeding 40 degrees.

Warning signals are sounding not only in Korea but around the world. Southeast Asia, including India and the Philippines, has experienced heatwaves ranging from 37 to 48 degrees since April. India recorded temperatures up to 50 degrees from mid-May, resulting in numerous deaths. In Puerto Rico, a massive dust cloud crossing the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert in Africa exacerbated the heatwave. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) analyzed that there is an 80% probability that the Earth's annual average temperature will exceed 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels at least once within the next five years (2024?2028). '1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels' is the temperature rise limit adopted by 195 parties in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Last year, the Earth was already recorded as the hottest ever at +1.45 degrees. Humanity is rapidly heading toward a 'hot Earth,' the only existential threat.

Even though global responses need to be strengthened, the actions of major companies and countries are worrisome. The UK-based non-profit think tank Carbon Tracker reported in March that none of the world's top 25 publicly listed fossil fuel companies, including oil and natural gas firms, are meeting the climate goals aligned with the Paris Agreement's target to curb global warming. The U.S., the world's second-largest carbon dioxide emitter, is holding a presidential election this November, which is a critical variable for climate issues. Depending on the outcome, humanity's collective response to the climate crisis could be at risk. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that if he wins this election, he will withdraw from the Paris Agreement again, which mandates greenhouse gas reduction. In the first presidential debate on the 27th of last month (local time), Trump said regarding his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement during his tenure, "Countries other than the U.S., such as China, India, and Russia, do not take any responsibility (for the climate crisis)," and "I did not want to waste $1 trillion."

While responsibility is being postponed, the Earth is heating up faster than expected. Climate warning signals are sounding louder every year. The cost of ignoring these warnings is already being experienced by all humanity through sleepless nights in Seoul, heatwaves in the U.S. and India, and abnormal weather in Africa and Southeast Asia.