When I was a child, the air in Korea was much cleaner. Growing up in the countryside, taking a deep breath felt like a full-body cleanse. I spent days exploring insects in the rice fields with friends and flying paper airplanes and pinwheels.   As society developed, these experiences vanished. Today, on heavy fine dust days, wearing masks is a must. Without them, daily life is disrupted. One morning, I wondered, “When did wearing a mask become normal?” and thought, “Is this because of environmental pollution?”   My previous visit to a café revealed solar panels installed on the rooftop. Surprisingly, they added a unique touch to the building’s exterior.(Photo by Milly)  What is Energy Transition?   Energy transition is the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy systems. It expands renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. This transformation affects not just ...

The scattered plastic waste emphasizes the urgent need for systematic changes in environmental and climate policies.(Photo by Milly)  On June 3, 2025, Lee Jae-myung was elected as the 21st President of South Korea. Throughout his campaign, he laid out a wide range of pledges to actively respond to the climate crisis. If implemented during his term, these policies could mark a major turning point in South Korea’s climate strategy. Unlike conventional approaches that focus on individual actions like recycling or reducing waste, President Lee's climate policies emphasize structural transformation—linking industry, economy, and governance. Here's an overview of some of his key climate commitments. Transitioning Industries for Carbon Neutrality President Lee has promised to strengthen the institutional foundation to meet South Korea’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, and to prepare a science-based roadmap for 2035 and beyond. One notable proposal is to evaluate carbon reductio...