The Climate Question

Is South Korea a climate villain?

South Korea’s economic development has been the envy of many nations: from war, famine and poverty to one of the richest countries on Earth, all within just a couple of generations. In 1955, gross domestic product was just $64 per capita. Last year, it was $31,000. But this growth was turbocharged by fossil fuels, and has come at a high environmental price. Seventy percent of the power generated in the country comes from fossil fuels and, compared to many rich nations, its commitment to renewables is small. Is South Korea a hero of economic growth or a climate villain? And should developing nations still look to the country as a model to follow? Joining Neal Razzell and Graihagh Jackson:
Jeffrey Sachs, former UN adviser, and professor at Columbia University 
Zeeshan Abedin, economist at the International Growth Centre
Julie Yoon, World Service Language Reporter, Seoul Producer: Jordan Dunbar
Series producer: Rosamund Jones 
Editor: Emma Rippon

A global programme that reflects the variety of takes on climate change, how best to understand it and the world’s attempts to avert it, temper it or adapt to it.
It is not about questioning whether climate change is happening, it’s about finding the best ways to respond to it.
This is sharp-edged, analytical inquiry. Hard scrutiny, touched with a sense of adventure and discovery, and where we can find it, hope.
It includes stories from across the world on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.