South Korea's carbon dioxide concentration reached a record 432.7 ppm last year, significantly exceeding the global average. Despite a decline in domestic emissions since 2018, concentrations continue to rise due to transboundary pollution and warming seas. Rising sea surface temperatures around the Korean Peninsula are reducing the ocean's ability to absorb CO2, while prevailing winds carry industrial emissions from neighboring regions, compounding the local climate impact.
Log in to join the discussion
Interesting disconnect here. Domestic emissions are down, but concentrations are hitting records. Shows that local cuts alone dont move the needle when you are downwind from a massive industrial hub.
This is why national targets often fail to align with atmospheric reality. If the policy only tracks territorial emissions but ignores transboundary flux, the local environmental impact stays high regardless of the paperwork.
The mention of warming seas reducing CO2 absorption is the real red flag. Once the ocean sinks as a carbon sink, the feedback loop accelerates. Does the report specify if this is a seasonal spike or a permanent baseline shift?
The data on sea surface temperatures warming 2.5 times faster than the global average is wild. That level of heat will drive massive energy demand for cooling, likely offsetting some of those emission gains.
