Climate Change Crisis; Thousands Protest in Seoul Against South Korean Government's 'Lack of Progress'

On Saturday, September 8, the capital of South Korea witnessed a protest gathering of over 30,000 people who came together in extreme heat to demand more aggressive actions from the government to combat global warming. The protesters, in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, participated in the largest demonstration of the year in the country, causing traffic disruptions in central Seoul. They held large banners with slogans calling for 'climate justice.' These protests, organized by the 'Climate Justice March 907' group, emerged following last month's ruling by the South Korean Constitutional Court, which stated that the country's climate change law does not protect basic human rights and fails to set goals for safeguarding future generations. This ruling came after 200 individuals filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court, arguing that the government's insufficient action on climate change violates citizens' human rights. South Korea, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, is the second-largest coal polluter among the G20 economies after Australia. Climate change can also affect the frequency and intensity of dust storms and alter atmospheric circulation patterns, potentially impacting the movement of dust storms in large regions. Evidence and scientific studies have shown that as temperatures rise, the intensity of sandstorms also increases. Kaveh Madani, director of the UN Water Think Tank, published an article in Forbes on the occasion of 'World Clean Air Day for Blue Skies,' discussing the world's unpreparedness to face the dust crisis. He writes, 'Imagine waking up and seeing the sky darkened by thick, suffocating dust and sand, with fine particles easily inhaled. This is not a horror story but the reality for over 500 million people in India, 173 million in Pakistan, 62 million in Iran, and 40 million in China.' Mr. Madani added that the global response to the escalating disaster of sandstorms and dust has been inadequate, and investments in this area are minimal, with clean air projects attracting only 1% of international development budgets. Severe heat in Canada; scientists attribute this temperature rise to 'human-induced climate change.' A meteorological official warns: Iran has become drier due to reduced rainfall and warming. The UN Secretary-General warns that the Paris Agreement's goal to control global warming is slipping away. New Zealand has appointed an independent body to achieve its methane emission reduction target by 2050. The US government announced financial support for methane reduction projects. Activists widely criticize the draft agreement of the 28th Climate Change Conference, stating it does not address global warming. The 'Climate Change' conference in Dubai; the US commits to limiting global warming to '1.5 degrees.' The Iranian delegation left the 'Climate Change' conference due to the presence of Israeli representatives. Experts: The rate of global warming has been much less than predicted. Research results: Global warming has caused the rapid melting of floating ice in 'Greenland.' The year 2023 is on track to be recorded as the hottest year on Earth since the industrial revolution.