A Policy Suggestion for the Adaptation of Climate Change in Korea

The purpose of this study is to describe the roles of carbon dioxide in the climate change, and carbon dioxide reduction policies in some countries. In addition, ways to cope with climate change in Korea are also discussed. Currently, global temperatures are rising due to the carbon dioxide produced by human beings. Global temperatures will rise approximately 6 until 2100 if we emit carbon dioxide at a present rate. Temperature rise will affect the terrestrial and oceanic resources, and ultimately influence the socio-economic structures including political stability. Most of the carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels. Therefore, it is urgent to reduce the use of energy, which comes from fossil fuels. Solving the climate change due to the increases in carbon dioxide is a global problem. Korea should participate in the international community and cooperate with each other in order to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration. No policy was announced for the reduction of carbon dioxide so far. Korea should make a policy for the reduction of carbon dioxide in a specific year compared to that of certain standard year such as 1990 or 2005. Making policy should be based on the scientific result of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and absorbed. Germanwatch announced the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) in order to evaluate an effort to reduce the carbon dioxide for 56 countries which emits 90 % of global carbon dioxide. Ranking for Korea is 51 among 56 countries. This clearly indicates that the appropriate carbon dioxide reduction has not been exercised yet in Korea. Researchers have a moral responsibility to provide updated new ideas and knowledges regarding climate change. Politicians should have a sharp insight to judge the ideas provided by researchers. People need an ethics to reduce the carbon dioxide in every day's life. Scientific research should not be influenced by stress caused by external budget and negative impact of capitalism. Science should be based on the pure curiosity.