Ending Fossil Fuels: Is It This Difficult? [Climate Crisis Now]
Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind has used fossil fuels as an energy source to achieve economic development. As a result, greenhouse gases have skyrocketed and the Earth has heated up. Climate change has struck, and its effects are now spreading around the world.
In addition to abnormal weather, more extreme heat waves, stronger storms, and more frequent heavy rains have swept through, causing destruction and suffering in many places. There is a growing consensus worldwide that we must end fossil fuels, the cause of global warming, and quickly transition to renewable energy sources.
The national coal phase-out network, Korea Beyond Coal (KBC), has newly expanded its solidarity to become Korea Beyond Fossil Fuels (KBF) to phase out all fossil fuels, including coal.
Climate Solutions, Plan 1.5, and the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 28th of last month and officially declared the launch of 'Beyond Fossil Fuels'. These groups argued that in order to completely transition to renewable energy, we need to respond to all fossil fuels, including gas as well as coal.
'Beyond Coal' was launched in 2020 to eliminate coal-fired power generation, which accounts for about 30% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, and has been conducting a nationwide coal phase-out movement for the past five years.
As a result, it was able to lead to public financial institutions such as the National Pension Service declaring a halt to support overseas coal projects. It was able to achieve results such as blocking the financial sector's issuance of Samcheok Blue Power corporate bonds and accelerating the introduction of coal phase-out policies.
A wind turbine at Wolyeong Port in Hallim-eup, Jeju Island, turns in the sunset. [Photo=Reporter Jeong Jong-oh]
Despite the achievements of 'Beyond Coal', environmental civic groups recognize that there is still a long way to go before transitioning to renewable energy. The government has been criticized for delaying the closure of coal-fired power plants and focusing on converting to gas power generation rather than introducing renewable energy sources, showing a passive attitude toward responding to the climate crisis.
In the government's 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (Basic Electricity Supply and Demand Plan) recently announced, the government also announced a plan to close only 40 out of 61 coal-fired power plants by 2038 and convert 37 of them to gas power generation or hydrogen/ammonia hybrid power generation.
Rather than going straight to renewable energy sources, the government will go through an intermediate stage such as gas power generation or hydrogen/ammonia hybrid power generation. Environmental civic groups have criticized that this basic electricity plan will actually hinder the expansion of renewable energy sources.
It is also said that the expansion of the solidarity from "Beyond Coal" to "Beyond Fossil Fuels" is due to this background. The explanation is that the solidarity was expanded to "Beyond Fossil Fuels" in order to lead a complete transition to renewable energy such as solar and wind power rather than other fossil fuel alternatives such as gas.
Kwon Kyung-rak, a policy activist for Plan 1.5, said, "With the government's 11th Basic Electricity Plan, our country will remain a country that owns coal-fired power plants even after 2040," and "The next government must prioritize completely reforming its economic system addicted to fossil fuels."
Jeong Seok-hwan, a researcher for the Climate Solutions Gas Team, said, "It has already been proven that replacing coal-fired power plants with renewable energy rather than gas is more advantageous not only in terms of the climate and environment, but also the economy." He urged, "The government should withdraw its plan to convert 28 aging coal-fired power plants to LNG (liquefied gas) power generation and strengthen its policy to expand renewable energy."
Climate Solutions, Plan 1.5, and the Korean Federation for Environmental Movements officially declared the launch of "Beyond Fossil Fuels" on the 28th of last month. [Photo = Climate Solutions] He
continued, "Projects to expand gas infrastructure, such as the 'Blue Whale' oil and gas field drilling project in the East Sea, the construction of an LNG terminal, and blue hydrogen and co-firing power generation, also need to be comprehensively reviewed."
Bae Seul-gi, an activist from the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, also criticized the government's 11th Basic Electricity Plan.
She criticized, "The government is trying to continue the East Sea oil and gas drilling project even by attracting foreign investment and is trying to convert coal-fired power plants that have been in operation for more than 30 years into gas-fired power plants."
Bae said, "In a situation where the climate crisis is worsening, we must respond by phasing out not only coal but all fossil fuels and completely banning new fossil fuel projects," explaining why she participated in "Beyond
Fossil Fuels." The "Beyond Fossil Fuels" groups demanded the government to: 1) phase out all fossil fuel power generation, including coal and gas; 2) transition to renewable energy based on solar and wind power; 3) end financial support for fossil fuel power generation; and 4) establish a plan for a just transition in the regional economy and employment.
https://www.inews24.com/view/blogger/1819256
댓글
댓글 쓰기