ENVIRONMENT
Journalists tour South Korea’s Jeju Island
ENVIRONMENTAL destruction and the relentless pace of global warming are pushing our planet to the brink, making the need for action more critical with each passing day.
The climate crisis transcends boarder, language, and culture. It is a universal issue that demands a united global response.
During the 13th World Journalism Conference earlier this month in South Korea, journalists discussed key issues surrounding the theme, “Role of journalism in confronting climate change and environmental shifts”.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation senior defence and foreign policy correspondent Murray Brewster said as journalists, we often berate our governments for a lack of vision or creative thinking.
He said we go on and on about institutions that don’t connect the dots on some of the most complex policy issues. We complain and critique them for not learning the lessons of history.
“Yet, I’m here to tell you on the issue of climate change we as journalist are often guilty of the same myopic approach. We rarely connect the dots. When we talk about climate it usually falls into a few select bins-science, policy, protest and politics.
Climate change and geopolitics
“Rarely is it spoken about in terms of its effects on the national security of each of our nations. Climate change is becoming a driver of geopolitics-whether it is the melting of polar ice caps in the Arctic, raging wildfires in the North or more recently California’s natural disasters, drought and food security that lead to mass migration. And it’s not like the warning haven’t been there.”
Brewster said natural disasters in many respects require a military response –even if it is to move humanitarian supplies.
“In my country, the military has been used regularly to fight forest fires. In 2023, the Canadian military conducted 141 straight days of operations supporting civilian authorities. That was a record; most of it was dealing with climate related crisis. It is an illustration of how climate change has a direct impact on national security.
“And when you look at climate coverage-writ large, it is an under-reported, under-appreciated aspect of the issue. When you step on the global stage at the COP conferences it is all about emissions target, phasing out goal, driving zero plastic waste, protecting more of nature and advancing coastal resilience.
Better reporting required
“Countries from the global North cover climate change more frequently while those on Global south, developing countries like Papua New Guinea focus more on its challenges and implications for society writ large.
“We as journalist have to do better jobs at connecting the dots. We live in perilous times, environmentally and now geopolitically. Climate change is spoken about in apocalyptic and existential terms,” he said.
Ethiopia National Broadcasting Corporation senior news editor Tsegahun Shimekit said as journalist we are witnessing unprecedentant weather, vanishing species and a world that is changing before our eyes. And most sobering of all is the fact that we are not just witnesses to this crisis but are also part of the solution.
He said journalism played a fundamental role in raising awareness, providing reliable information and creating change. Discuss the ways through which journalist can shed light on environmental degradation’s consequences and climate migration.
“Journalists also face challenges like complexity of climate science, misinformation, climate-denial, lack of funding and resources, challenges in accessing reliable data, policy and corporate pressure, public apathy, media fatigue and the gap bridging between local and global impact.”
Shimekit added that journalists must get underreported environmental cries noticed and develop cross-border solutions to hold world powers accountable.
“Journalism is not just about reporting but shaping the future. We must move beyond awareness-raising and demand substantive policy changes and feasible solutions.”
The climate change crisis is no longer a distant threat; countries around the world are accelerating their efforts to respond to climate change by setting ambitious carbon reduction targets.
South Korea’s Jaju province has unveiled a bold vision to create a carbon neutral society by 2035 – 15 years ahead of the city’s natural target of 2050.
Jeju special self-government province international relations ambassador Lim Ki-Mo said the goal was to install over 7Giga Watt of renewable energy and increase the energy share to over 70 per cent.
He said by 2035, the needed to offset 4.74 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
“To achieve that we set out plans, covering 81 projects in six key sectors. First, 400 rainwater harvesting facilities will be installed in public buildings as part of green remodeling efforts to improve energy efficiency. We also expect more than 500 hydrogen commercial vehicles to be distributed, along with the introduction of hydrogen farms –a means of eco-friendly mobility.”
The most noteworthy approach is demonstrated in the waste management process.
“We will establish the organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation system which will capture and convert heat from waste incineration into electricity. To create a carbon absorbing marine ecosystem, a 496-hectare underwater forest will also be created, same as the soccer field size.
“Our energy transition will also increase the share of renewable energy to more than 70 per cent of Jeju’s total power generation, producing over 60,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. With these initiatives, Jeju is on track to completely replace its base load power with renewable energy and green hydrogen, establishing an innovative energy portfolio,” Lim said.
2035 carbon neutrality vision: Tangible achievements
In October 2024, Jeju was designated as South Korea’s first Net-Zero City in recognition of its dedicated efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our renewable energy generation share reached 20 percent by the end of last year, significantly surpassing the national average of 9 per cent and setting a national benchmark in energy transition. On top of that, Jeju has successfully producing hydrogen using renewable energy,” Lim said.
Currently, a 3.3 MegaWatt green hydrogen production facility operates using electricity supplied by six wind turbines (15.08MW) installed at the Haengwon Wind Farm.
Green hydrogen production
Building on this achievement, Jeju has established South Korea’s first green hydrogen ecosystem. With 3.3MW of renewable energy-powered green hydrogen production, we can fuel more than 50 hydrogen buses daily. The green hydrogen production capacity is set to expand up to 10.9MW by 2026 and to 30MW by 2030.
Alongside these efforts, Jeju opened the distribution energy support center in February, paving way for its designation as South Korea’s first distributed energy specialized zone. This designation is expected to enable the nation’s first local energy trading market.
Jeju is globally renowned for its uniqueness and charm where four distinct season, rich cultural heritage and natural beauty coverage in Harmony. Jeju Island is recognized by UNSECO as clean natural environment. With its distinctive volcanic terrain and unspoiled seas, Jeju serves as a repository of biodervisity, home to over 9000 flora and fauna species.
Jeju special self-government province international relations ambassador Lim Ki-Mo said Jeju was one of the few locations where four globally significant international designations uniquely overlap.
Jeju attracts over 13 million visitors each year.
