[Editorial] The Climate Crisis Has Crossed the Line: Protecting Our Children's Future

Since the end of June, Gyeongnam has been experiencing scorching heat, and as July began, tropical nights have also started. This summer is clearly not an ordinary one.

Former Gyeongsang National University President Kwon Sungki.

Abnormal signs have already begun to appear everywhere. In March, there were large-scale wildfires, and in May, unusually early heavy rains fell. All of these are warning signals of the climate crisis.

Climate change is no longer a vague future threat. It is a reality that has come directly into our lives.

The international community already pledged to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius through the 'Kyoto Protocol' in 1997 and the 'Paris Agreement' in 2015.

However, last year, the World Meteorological Organization announced that we have already crossed that threshold. Humanity has gone beyond the warning line.

Do we still have a chance?

No one knows what price we will have to pay.

But what is clear is that 'carbon neutrality' and 'biodiversity protection' are challenges that can no longer be postponed.

And the key lies in the education of our children.

There was a time when environmental education was limited to picking up trash or experiencing nature.

Now, however, it must expand to include scientific understanding of nature, practicing carbon neutrality, and empowering students to change their communities and society.

Gyeongnam is a region rich with potential for environmental education.

It is home to the Upo Wetlands in Changnyeong, the tidal flats of Namhae, as well as Jirisan and Gayasan mountains.

Since hosting the Ramsar Convention in 2008, Gyeongnam has raised awareness of the importance of ecological conservation to the world.

Schools are also changing. The Gyeongnam Office of Education has declared a 'major transformation in ecological and environmental education' and has made significant efforts.

However, there is still a long way to go.

I hope to see more children taking small actions against the climate crisis in their daily lives, schools leading these movements, and communities changing together.

And someday, I hope to witness the birth of a 'Korean Thunberg' in Gyeongnam.

For that day, we must begin what we can do today,

for the future of our children.

Former Gyeongsang National University President Kwon Sungki.